Educational Sources

Educational Resources

Welcome to our comprehensive resource hub dedicated to educating and informing the public about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Here, you'll find valuable information, tools, and links to official government resources that will help you understand and utilize your rights under FOIA. Whether you're a concerned citizen, a journalist, a researcher, or an organization, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to access government information and promote transparency in your community.

Examples of where to file FOIA requests. Explore the following sources to deepen your understanding and get started with your FOIA requests:

• U.S. Department of Justice FOIA Portal: FOIA.gov
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): NARA FOIA Resources
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) FOIA: FCC FOIA Information
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) FOIA: EPA FOIA Page
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FOIA: DHS FOIA Request Guide

• Freedom of Information Act Office | National Institutes of Health

By leveraging these resources, you can stay informed, participate actively in democratic/republic processes, and help create a transparent and accountable government. Dive in and learn how FOIA can work for you!

Another approach is to find the URL links to government website links and create your own FOIA request. 

Example 1: Ethylene Oxide

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590871/

This is a report from the National Institution of Health, a (.gov) website. Its subject is on a carcinogen chemical known as Ethylene Oxide. If you wanted to request a FOIA from this agency you will need the following....

1. Computer access or walk-in access to NIH website or facilities. 
2. Locate FOIA or PRA (public records act) section on website on how to obtain records. If you cannot or prefer not to access via internet, you may always ask in person at their offices.
3. OR, you can always request a FOIA to ANY government employee working for the particular agency such as a receptionist or a director. It can be submitted in writing on paper. Or by email directly to government employee if you have their contact info. The duty is on the government employee to escalate and hand-off request to their known FOIA Officer or Public Records Relations Employee to submit your request. 
4. What do you want to request? Specifically, if you wanted to request ANY emails, letters or notes containing the words 'Ethylene Oxide', 'Covid-19', or 'Face Mask' in same documents, you may request these.
5. The contacted agency that is fulfilling the public records request must inform you of their findings within a certain period of time (usually 14 days from date of request) OR they must provide a reason why they cannot obtain or provide the records in a timely manner. 
6. Always follow-up on requests and in writing.
7. Share and create awareness.
8. Prepare to pay fees. Or request waiver of fees if request merits such waiver. If fees are required, a good solution is a 'go-fund-me account' to create more awareness and help from your community.
9. Always make requests in GOOD FAITH. Even if you are creating a public record which will be covered in different educational links here on our site.
10. Find our T-shirts and other gear that provide transparency on documented FOIA requests on cases that of are concern to the public.