June 2004 Executive Director's Online Bulletin

IN THIS ISSUE:
°	Local Officials Testify on Regional Homeland Security
°	Volunteers Sought for New Respite Project
°	COG Uses New Methods to Count Homeless
°	COG Hosts Hydrogen Technology Forum
°	Practical Ways to Conserve Energy and Save Money
°	COG Honors Local Businesses for Improving Employees’ Commutes

HOMELAND SECURITY

Local Officials Testify on Regional Homeland Security
Rep. Tom Davis, (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, held a hearing last week to examine how well the federal government is coordinating its homeland security efforts with local jurisdictions in the national capital region. Tom Lockwood, director of the Office of National Capital Region Coordination, testified, along with George Foresman, assistant to the governor of Virginia for Commonwealth Preparedness, Dennis Schrader, director of Maryland’s Office of Homeland Security and Barbara Childs-Pair, director of the District of Columbia’s Emergency Management Agency.

Disease Surveillance System Up and Running
The COG Board in June approved updates to the Disease Surveillance Annex of the Regional Emergency Coordination Plan. After two years of planning, a regional electronic syndromic surveillance system was updated and became operational in May. The system is an addition to previous disease reporting and informal surveillance systems. Maryland, Virginia and the District have each established an electronic network to gather data on emergency room visits, over the counter drug sales, school absenteeism and clinician outpatient visits.

HUMAN SERVICES

Volunteers Sought for New Respite Project
COG is beginning to recruit volunteers for its new Volunteer Respite Project, a federally-funded initiative to help give foster parents much-needed breaks. The new project will train volunteers to care for foster children for roughly one weekend every other month. Because foster children can only spend the night with other licensed foster parents, children cannot be left in the care of relatives and friends.

HOUSING

COG Uses New Methods to Count Homeless
COG’s fourth annual Homeless Enumeration Report uses new methods for providing better data and tracking solutions for homelessness in the region. For the first time, it counted “literally homeless” people in a category separate from “permanently supported homeless,” or those who are permanently in supportive housing because they are unable to support themselves independently due to extreme poverty and serious mental or physical disabilities. COG conducts the one-day count each year and shares the information gathered to improve shelter and other services for homeless families and individuals.

ENVIRONMENT

COG Hosts Hydrogen Technology Forum
A Hydrogen Technology forum sponsored by COG’s Alternative Fuels Partnership and the National Capital Region Association of Fleet Administrators focused on new hydrogen-powered technologies as well as federal policy and state programs. The forum included a “ride and drive” session with several vehicles including General Motor’s model for a new hydrogen automobile.

Practical Ways to Conserve Energy and Save Money
COG has recently published two best practices guides regarding energy use in homes and buildings. Energy Efficiency Tips, released in June, gives consumers practical energy and cost-saving advice. Tips for Saving Energy in Government Buildings, published in April, explains how new technology has made it possible to design buildings that save energy, reduce environmental impacts and cut operation costs in half.

TRANSPORTATION

COG Honors Local Businesses for Improving Employees’ Commutes
On June 24 at the National Press Club, COG held the seventh annual Commuter Connections Employer Recognition Awards. The ceremony--hosted by COG Chair Phil Mendelson--honored employers for voluntarily initiating and promoting alternative commuter programs. The United States Census Bureau, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and QRC Division of Macro International, Inc. were among the winners.