The purpose of this assignment is to explore the
implications of the National Strategy for Homeland Security (NSHS) on state and
local homeland security strategies. You work as a program analyst for the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Office of Strategic Planning
within the Office of the Secretary. The White House Homeland Security Council
has asked the Secretary of Homeland
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The purpose of this assignment is to explore the
implications of the National Strategy for Homeland Security (NSHS) on state and
local homeland security strategies. You work as a program analyst for the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the Office of Strategic Planning
within the Office of the Secretary. The White House Homeland Security Council
has asked the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the impact of the NSHS
on state homeland security strategic planning efforts. The secretary plans to
engage with the states in preparing this report but wants an initial assessment
of the impacts of the NSHS on state homeland security strategic planning
efforts. You are charged with conducting this assessment. Using the resources
provided below, as well as information from resources you identify through your
own research efforts, your assignment is to craft an executive briefing memo of
900–1,200 words that focuses on the instructions posed below.
Assignment Guidelines
Assumption: The Secretary of Homeland Security, as a
former governor, is reasonably aware of the basic connection between the NSHS
and state planning efforts. What she is most interested in learning about is
where there are challenges, incongruities, or friction between federal homeland
security planning efforts as outlined in the NSHS and state efforts to develop
comprehensive and effective state-level homeland security strategic plans.
Address the following in 900–1,200 words:
Assignment: Your assignment is to develop an
executive-level briefing that provides succinct information to the Secretary of
Homeland Security so that she is prepared to engage the states in assessing the
impact of the NSHS on state homeland security strategic planning efforts. Your
briefing memo should include the following:
What have the states had to say about the 2002 and
2007 versions of the NSHS? Explain.
Conduct an Internet and library search for writings
that shed light on the states’ position.
Review the current NSHS, and assess the states’ role.
In your opinion, does the NSHS place an unfair burden
on states with respect to planning? Explain.
Does the 2007
NSHS provide a sufficient road map for states to develop their plans in a way
that is complementary? Explain.
Where do you see that there are deficiencies or
disconnects?
Have states embraced the Homeland Security Management
System advocated in the 2007 NSHS?
Conclude your briefing
with the 5 most significant concerns you think the Secretary of Homeland
Security should keep in mind when she engages with the states.
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