In general, a fusion center is a collaborative effort to detect, prevent, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity. Recognizing that fusion centers are a mechanism for information sharing, the fed. gov¿t. -- including the Dept. of Homeland Security, the Dept. of Justice, and the Program Manager for the Information Sharing Environment, which has primary responsibility for governmentwide information sharing and is located in the Office of the Dir. of Nat. Intelligence -- is taking steps to partner with fusion centers. This report examines: (1) the status and characteristics of fusion centers; and (2) to what extent fed. efforts help alleviate challenges that the centers identified. Includes recommendations. Illustrations.