NVAA Acknowledgements

The National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) is the result of the vision, leadership, and support of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). Special thanks are extended to OVC Director, John Gillis; former Deputy Director, Carolyn Hightower; and Pamela Leupen, Director, Training and Information Dissemination Division. Their guidance has proven to be essential in the development and execution of the NVAA as it has been redesigned since its original offering in 1995. OVC Program Specialist Laura Ivkovich has provided overall guidance for the development and implementation of the Academy. Her contributions have been immeasurable.

Following a formal evaluation of the NVAA in 2003, it was redesigned to include three instructional tracks, to better meet the training needs of those in the victim services field.

• Track 1, Foundation-Level Training, provides a broad understanding of the victim services field and lays the groundwork for building a career in the victims services field.
• Track 2, Specialized Training, focuses on timely, specific topics that have a direct impact on provider’s work. Track 2 consists of several training courses for victim service providers who have been in the field for at least 2 years.
• Track 3, The Leadership Institute, focuses on training topics that will benefit new and seasoned leaders and managers to enhance their leadership capabilities.

The NVAA Work Group was formed to work closely with OVC to lend their knowledge and insight to the redesign. The Work Group is composed of nationally known scholars and practitioners who have made recommendations and developed material that comprises the NVAA.

The NVAA Work Group is chaired by:

Mario Gaboury, Ph.D.
Chair, School of Public Safety and Professional Studies,
University of New Haven

NVAA Work Group Members include:

Jeannette Adkins
(formerly) National Organization for Victim Assistance

Dana DeHart, Ph.D.
Center for Child and Family Studies
University of South Carolina

Steve Derene
National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators

Christine Edmunds
Independent Consultant

Carroll Ann Ellis
Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax, VA

Nancy Lewis
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA)

Janice Harris Lord
Independent Consultant

Ada Pecos Melton
American Indian Development Associates

Brenda Muhammad
Atlanta Victim Witness Assistance, inc.

Kevin O’Brien, Ed.D.
National Center for Victims of Crime

Anne Seymour
Justice Solutions, Inc.

Eidell Wasserman, Ph.D.
Independent Consultant

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