The conference brought together local leaders from several States who were responsible for shaping homeland security programs and activities in their communities; they engaged in discussions with representatives from Federal, State, local, nonprofit, private, and international organizations that are working on homeland security-related issues. The primary concern of conference participants was to prepare communities and neighborhoods to respond to a disaster. Four principal areas of concern emerged from conference discussions. They were greater access to resources to fund homeland security programs and projects at the community level; greater access to practical information about application, eligibility, recruitment, retention, and other concerns; the need for innovative and effective programming ideas; and the need to focus on diverse and "special needs" populations. This report explores these four issues as they were discussed by the speakers and the participants, drawing from the presentations, panel discussions, and participant discussions. One suggestion for immediate action was the creation of a centralized advocacy group to which communities could turn for assistance in the pursuit of funding, information, and programming. The technical assistance supplied by such a network would facilitate the sharing of information critical to the development of planning and implementing emergency responses to disasters. The conference agenda is included.