Critical Releases in Homeland Security: July 28, 2010

"The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of a deliberate and determined national effort to safeguard the United States against terrorism. […] The submission of the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) Report to Congress on February 1, 2010 marked an important first step in a multi-step process to examine and address fundamental issues that concern homeland security. The QHSR Report described the Nation's homeland security interests, identified the critical homeland security missions, and defined a strategic approach to those missions by laying out the principal goals, essential objectives, and key strategic outcomes necessary for that approach to succeed. A bottom-up review (BUR) of the Department of Homeland Security was initiated in November 2009 as an immediate follow-on and complement to the congressionally mandated QHSR with the aim to align the Department's programmatic activities and organizational structure with the broader mission sets and goal identified in the QHSR. This report reflects that endeavor and represents an intermediate step between the QHSR Report and the DHS FY 2012-2016 Future Years Homeland Security Program (FYHSP), which will propose specific programmatic adjustments based on the QHSR strategic framework. Together, these three elements--the QHSR, the BUR, and the DHS FY 2012-2016 FYHSP--will address the primary legislative requirements set forth in Section 707 of the Homeland Security Act."

This progress update describes the advances made by the Department of Homeland Security in implementing the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission in "Guarding against Terrorism and Ensuring Transportation Security," "Securing our Borders," "Strengthening Preparedness Efforts," "Protecting Privacy and Civil Liberties," and "Improving Collaboration and Information Sharing." Updates are made on the progress of the following recommendations: Develop a risk-based plan for transportation security; Improve airline passenger pre-screening; Improve checked bag and cargo screening; vigorously track and disrupt terrorist financing; Standardize secure identification; Integrate border security into larger network of screening points that includes the transportation system and access to vital facilities; Allocate homeland security funds based on risk; Improve interoperable communications at all levels of government; Establish a unified incident command system; Prioritize private sector preparedness; Assess critical infrastructure and readiness; Safeguard individual privacy when sharing information; Maintain civil liberties while protecting security; and Provide incentives for information sharing.

"This National HIV/AIDS Strategy provides a roadmap for addressing the domestic HIV epidemic. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities needed to respond to HIV/AIDS, but is intended to be a concise plan that identifies a set of priorities and strategic action steps tied to measurable outcomes. The Federal Implementation Plan outlines the specific steps to be taken by various Federal agencies to support the high-level priorities outlined in the Strategy."

"President Obama committed to developing a National HIV/AIDS Strategy with three primary goals: 1) reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV, 2) increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV, and 3) reducing HIV-related health disparities. To accomplish these goals, we must undertake a more coordinated national response to the HIV epidemic. The Strategy is intended to be a concise plan that will identify a set of priorities and strategic action steps tied to measurable outcomes. Accompanying the Strategy is a Federal Implementation Plan that outlines the specific steps to be taken by various Federal agencies to support the high-level priorities outlined in the Strategy. This is an ambitious plan that will challenge us to meet all of the goals that we set. The job, however, does not fall to the Federal Government alone, nor should it. Success will require the commitment of all parts of society, including State, tribal and local governments, businesses, faith communities, philanthropy, the scientific and medical communities, educational institutions, people living with HIV, and others."