Federal Resources

Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, homes, and communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. Search for your local Citizen Corps Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, Fire Corps and Neighborhood Watch programs here.

The Teen CERT training program teaches youth readiness and response skills. Hands-on practice and realistic exercises prepare youth for the unexpected in their community. Newly learned leadership skills will empower youth to safely respond to an emergency and assist victims without endangering themselves or others.

The Lost Person Behavior mobile app provides step-by-step instructions on search plans for first responders and response teams involved in missing person searches. Designed using data from more than 150,000 missing person cases across the country, the app provides guidance for more than 40 different scenarios, including lost children. 

Developed by the the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, NotAlone.gov provides information, tools, and resources for students and schools on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault in schools and on college and university campuses. Resources for students include information on how to file a complaint, find crisis services, and learn more about their rights. Schools can access information on such topics as legal guidelines, maintaining confidentiality, and developing sexual assault policies and procedures. The website features a school-by-school enforcement map, which reflects resolved school-level enforcement activities conducted by the Departments of Education and Justice. 

This report outlines the progress made on 21 of 23 executive actions presented in President Obama’s plan to help reduce gun violence, released in January, and the continuing efforts toward completing all 23 (PDF, 10 pages)

In this video, Vice President Joe Biden speaks about the Violence Against Women Act and the Administration’s ongoing coordination to combat violence against women, as well as new steps the Administration is taking to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault.