Homeland Security
Governors play a critical role in homeland security and are responsible for protecting people, property, and businesses within their respective states and territories. Governors are confronted with a range of events—from natural and man-made disasters, disease outbreaks, acts of terrorism, and other major emergencies— such as catastrophes on the scale of COVID-19, Hurricane Maria, or the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Homeland Security Program provides technical assistance to Governors and their staffs on a range of national security policy issues, including violence prevention, energy assurance, public health emergency preparedness, and emergency management, including disaster response, recovery and resilience.
Featured
The Governor’s Guide To Public Health Preparedness
This guide serves as a primer on public health preparedness, detailing current strategies, available resources and existing partnerships that may help policymakers bridge the gap between the disciplines of public safety and public health. By doing so, governors can develop a stronger cooperative network for emergency response and provide their states with a safe and healthy future.
Governor’s Roadmap to Preventing Targeted Violence
This roadmap distills the latest research and draws from elements of public-health interventions to provide guidance to governors, state and local leaders, and other stakeholders on how to prevent ideologically inspired violence—whether political, gender-based, or religious. By taking a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to preventing such violence, states can build safer and more resilient communities.
Governor’s Guide To Homeland Security
This guide covers fundamentals in homeland security best practices ranging from emergency management, fusion centers, grant management, the national guard, emergency declarations, critical infrastructure and other areas of homeland security that a governor and their policy staff would need awareness on.
Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council
The Homeland Security Program manages the independently charted Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council, a forum that brings together governors’ principal homeland security advisors from each state, commonwealth, territory, and the District of Columbia to share best practices and establish policy priorities. The Council is compromised of individuals with a variety of professional backgrounds as their homeland security advisors – from military officers to law enforcement professionals, and emergency manager.
Virtual Resource Center for Public Health Emergency Preparedness
This virtual resource center is a repository for state-focused resources pertaining to public health emergency preparedness policy. The resources are targeted at state leaders in the fields of public health, emergency management, and administration, although due to the cross-disciplinary nature of public health emergency preparedness, a broader audience may find these tools useful.
Meet the Team
- Jessica Davenport, Program Director
- Micaja Verna, Policy Coordinator
-
Public Safety & Legal Counsels Program
Explore More
-
Cybersecurity Program
Explore More
-
Technical Assistance
We provide complimentary consultation to states as they design and implement new programs and policies.
Contact Us Now -
Equity And Policy Preparedness During Public Health Emergencies
Explore More
-
Defense/National Guard Resources
Explore More
-
Resilience Resources
Explore More
Homeland Security Resources
Testimony – FEMA Grant Funding
Read More
States Focus on Preventing Targeted Violence
Read More
FirstNet Appointments
Read More
States Work to Improve Resilience Against Human and Natural Disasters
Read More
NGA Letter on Professional Licensure Reciprocity
Read More
Retreat on Energy Resilience Coordination and Planning in Oregon and Washington
Read More
Co-Chairs Welcome Letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Nielsen
Read More
Reducing Burdensome Cyber Regulations
Read More
NGA Works to Prevent Violent Extremism in States
Read More
