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Unit 4 – Individual Project/ Key Assignment 
Running head:  EFFECTIVE RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Deliverable Length:  2-5 pages
Assignment Description
Each state has its own homeland security strategic plan. These plans were developed based on post-9/11 guidance and are a condition of receiving most, if not all, DHS grants. The most recent guidance issued by DHS to the states is the 2005 document State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy: Guidance on Aligning Strategies with the National Preparedness Goal and the 2007 National Preparedness Guidelines. One of the many benefits of following these guidance documents is that each state plan is organized in a similar manner.
The Project
You work in the State of Texas Office of Homeland Security, and a new governor was recently elected in your state. The new governor has recently read the National Governors Association document entitled “A Governor’s Guide to Homeland Security,” and the governor has requested a briefing on how well the State Homeland Security Strategic Plan (SHSSP) aligns with current federal guidelines and available best practices.
You are assigned to assess whether your state’s current homeland security strategic plan aligns well with the State and Urban Area Homeland Security Strategy: Guidance on Aligning Strategies with the National Preparedness Goal, the National Preparedness Guidelines, and other federal guidelines, as well as any widely accepted best practices. Then, you are to present your findings in a brief

report to the governor.  
To guide your assessment process, you are directed to use assessment tools such as the Homeland Security Institute’s document Homeland Security Strategic Planning: Mission Area Analysis.
Assignment Guidelines
Step 1
If you are not already familiar with the documents, review and become familiar with the following:
A Governor’s Guide to Homeland Security
Homeland Security Directive 8: National      Preparedness.
State and Urban Area Homeland Security      Strategy: Guidance on Aligning Strategies With the National Preparedness      Goal
National Preparedness Guidelines
Target Capabilities List: A Companion to the      National Preparedness Guidelines
Fiscal Year 2008 Homeland Security Grant      Program: Investment Planning Worksheet (see Attachment A to this      assignment for a summary)
Homeland Security Strategic Planning:      Mission Area Analysis
All of these documents are available on government Web sites and can be found through simple Internet searches.
Step 2
Search the Internet and select a current state, ( the state of Texas) homeland security strategic plan to assess. Most states have posted their plans on the Web. Make sure you select the state’s most recent plan. Pick the one from the state of Texas where you reside. A possible source of plans can be the National Governors Association’s Overview of States Homeland Security Governance.
Step 3