Former Obama adviser teams up with group helping US hostages

WASHINGTON (AP) " A former homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to President Barack Obama is teaming up with a non-profit that gives free counseling and legal and other advice to the families of captives.

Hostage US announced Monday that Lisa Monaco has been elected to its board. The group, which estimates that up to 200 Americans are kidnapped overseas each year, was co-founded by Hostage UK and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation after the American journalist who was captured and beheaded by Islamic State militants.

Monaco was instrumental in Obama's directives to improve coordination of U.S. agencies working to free American hostages and be responsive to the needs of their families.