August 2022

Psychological First Aid and Victim Assistance

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Psychological First Aid and Victim Assistance” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

This webinar introduces the basic concepts of Psychological First Aid that participants can use to support the recovery of crime victims and others impacted by trauma.

(Posted August 8, 2022)

August 2022

Expert Q&A Recording: Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program

A recording of the July Expert Q&A session on the “Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides an overview of the Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program and addresses the unique victim identification and rights issues associated with environmental crimes.

(Posted August 4, 2022)

July 2022

August Expert Q&A

On August 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Alice Hartzog, Kimber Nicoletti-Martinez, and Judith Walton on "How To Deliver Training With Pizzazz."

During this session, experts will provide provide tips on how to develop effective trainings and deliver them with energy and style, as well as strategies on how to design and deliver trainings that focus on communities of color.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted July 28, 2022)

July 2022

Expert Q&A Recording: Considering a Facility Dog for Your Victim Service Program?

A recording of the June Expert Q&A session on “Considering a Facility Dog for Your Victim Service Program?” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides practical information about how you can incorporate a courthouse facility dog into your Child Advocacy Center, District Attorney’s Office, Family Courts, Tribal Courts, or other direct victim service programs.

(Posted July 18, 2022)

July 2022

Appreciative Inquiry: Fostering Individual and Organization Change

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Appreciative Inquiry: Fostering Individual and Organization Change” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

This presentation explores what Appreciative Inquiry is, the Appreciative Inquiry process, and how you can apply it in the victim services field on both the individual level to build resilience and the organizational level for positive change.

(Posted July 13, 2022)

July 2022

Adobe Captivate Prime Downtime

Adobe Captivate Prime will be down for a scheduled update from Saturday, July 23 at 10:30 p.m. to Sunday, July 24 at 8:30 a.m. ET. During this time, the learning management system may be inaccessible to users.

As part of this update, Adobe Captivate Prime will be rebranded as Adobe Learning Manager. In addition to the name being changed throughout the site, please note:

• The website URL will be changed to https://learningmanager.adobe.com/OVCTTAC. The current URL (https://captivateprime.adobe.com/ovcttac) will continue to work, but we suggest you update any bookmarks or other locations you may have it saved.
• Email notifications will now come from admin@learningmanager.com. Please make sure to update any email spam filters or whitelists or you may have to ensure you continue receiving emails from the system.

If you have any questions, please contact OVC TTAC at ttac@ovcttac.org or 1–866–682–8822.

(Posted July 12, 2022)

July 2022

NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Building Trauma-Informed Organizations

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Building Trauma-Informed Organizations training, which will be delivered online. This 5-week training provides guidance in how your organization can become trauma-informed and how to modify policies and procedures to respond to trauma victims. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: The Impact of Trauma, July 25–29, no webinar.
• Week 1: The Layers of a Trauma-Informed Approach, August 1–5, webinar on August 4.
• Week 2: The Foundation of a Trauma-Informed Organization, August 8–12, webinar on August 11.
• Week 3: Assessing Your Organization, August 15–19, webinar on August 18.
• Week 4: Developing Your Organization's Trauma-Informed Approach, August 22–26, webinar on August 25. 

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. ET.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted July 5, 2022)

June 2022

July Expert Q&A

On July 27, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Herman Millholland and Steve Siegel on the "Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program."

During this session, experts will provide an overview of the Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program and address the unique victim identification and rights issues associated with environmental crimes.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted June 30, 2022)

June 2022

Psychological First Aid and Victim Assistance

Please join us on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. eastern time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center webinar “Psychological First Aid and Victim Assistance.”

This presentation is part of the Vital Subjects series and will introduce the basic concepts of Psychological First Aid that participants can use to support the recovery of crime victims and others impacted by trauma.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted June 28, 2022)

June 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Financial Management

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Financial Management training, which will be delivered online. This 6-week training will teach you key bookkeeping and accounting principles, how to prepare financial documents, and how to prevent fraud. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: What is Financial Management, July 11–15, no webinar.
• Week 1: Planning the Budget, July 18–22, webinar on July 21.
• Week 2: Bookkeeping and Accounting Concepts and Principles, July 25–29, webinar on July 28.
• Week 3: Financial Reporting and Monitoring, August 1–5, webinar on August 4.
• Week 4: Practical Financial Oversight, August 8–12, webinar on August 11.
• Week 5: Ensuring the Financial Health of Your Organization, August 15–19, webinar on August 18.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. ET.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted June 21, 2022)

June 2022

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

In preparation for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons this July 30, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Take the Understanding Human Trafficking online training.
• Visit the Human Trafficking page to find related webinars and other training and technical assistance resources.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find resources to assist in the formation of new task forces as well as guidance and support for existing task forces.
• Enroll in VAT Online to take the Human Trafficking module.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Increasing Community Awareness of Labor Trafficking,
  • Housing, Addiction, and Human Trafficking,
  • The Vulnerabilities of LGBTQ and Homeless Youth to Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, and
  • Addressing Substance Abuse When Responding to Survivors of Human Trafficking.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance page for a list of federal and non-federal human trafficking resources.
• Visit the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide to access the chapter on Human Trafficking and related resources.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on trafficking victims.

(Posted June 14, 2022)

June 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Strategic Planning for Program Managers

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Strategic Planning for Program Managers training, which will be delivered online. This 4-week training will review the strategic planning process so you will be prepared to create and implement your organization's strategic plan. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Introduction to Strategic Planning, July 5–8, no webinar.
• Week 1: Prepare and Assess, July 11–15, webinar on July 14.
• Week 2: Create, July 18–22, webinar on July 21.
• Week 3: Implement and Communicate, July 25–29 , webinar on July 28. 

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. ET. 

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted June 13, 2022)

June 2022

Appreciative Inquiry: Fostering Individual and Organization Change

Please join us on Monday, June 27, 2022, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. eastern time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center webinar “Appreciative Inquiry: Fostering Individual and Organization Change.”

This presentation is part of the Vital Subjects series and will explore what Appreciative Inquiry is, the Appreciative Inquiry process, and how you can apply it in the victim services field on both the individual level to build resilience and the organizational level for positive change.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted June 9, 2022)

June 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Building Resiliency in Organizations

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Building Resiliency in Organizations training, which will be delivered online. This 3-week training provides a resiliency model and explains how it can be applied to organizations. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Acknowledging Resiliency, June 27–July 1, no webinar.
• Week 1: The Five Core Elements of Resiliency, July 4–8, webinar on July 7.
• Week 2: Identifying Strategies for Building Resiliency in Organizations, July 11–15, webinar on July 14.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted June 6, 2022)

May 2022

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

In preparation for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Older Adults and 
  • Elder Abuse.
• Take the following online trainings:
  • Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers and 
  • Polyvictimization in Later Life.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:
  • Expert Q&A,
  • Elder Justice Initiative, and
  • Specific Considerations for Providing Victim Services.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance Resources page for elder abuse resources.
• Review the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on Preparing Your Program To Meet the Unique Needs of Survivors and related resources.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims, including the standardized training on Identifying and Responding to Elder Abuse.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on elder abuse.

(Posted May 26, 2022)

May 2022

Pride Month

In preparation for Pride Month this June, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the module on LGBTQ populations.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to review the following sections: LGBTQ Victims and Victim Populations.
• Visit the Toolkits page to access resources such as the Responding to Transgender Victims of Sexual Assault guide.
• Visit the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide to review the section on Preparing Your Program To Meet the Unique Needs of Survivors.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • LGBT Services,
  • The Vulnerabilities of LGBTQ and Homeless Youth to Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation,
  • Creating Safe Spaces for Transgender Survivors, and
  • Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex Survivors Following a Sexual Assault.
• Download materials from the Unit 6: Hate and Bias Crime section of the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn curriculum.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on supporting LGBTQ crime victims.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims, including the standardized training on Serving LGBTQ Survivors of Violence.
• Request the new Strengthening Military-Civilian Community Partnerships To Respond to Sexual Assault 2.0: Responding to Military LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Assault training.

(Posted May 26, 2022)

May 2022

Hospitals Against Violence National Day of Awareness

In preparation for Hospitals Against Violence National Day of Awareness on June 3, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Take the following VAT Online modules:
  • Crisis Intervention,
  • Problem Solving,
  • Trauma-Informed Care, and
  • Mass Violence and Terrorism.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:
  • Capacity Building Webinars for Human Trafficking Service Providers,
  • Expert Q&A,
  • Specific Considerations for Providing Victim Services,
  • Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault: Strategies To Strengthen Community Collaboration To Respond to Survivors' Needs,
  • Mass Violence and Terrorism, and
  • Telemedicine: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Responding to Sexual Assault.
• Explore the Vicarious Trauma page for information and resources related to identifying and addressing vicarious trauma.
• Visit the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Sexual Assault Response Teams page to find related resources and trainings, including the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide.
• Download materials from the following curricula:
  • Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training and
  • Integrating Crime Victims' Issues Into College and University Curricula.
• Access the Mass Violence and Terrorism page for resources related to community planning and response to mass violence and terrorism.
• Visit the Human Trafficking page to find resources on identifying and serving victims of human trafficking.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims, including the following standardized trainings:
  • Building Resiliency in Child Abuse Organizations,
  • Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma,
  • DNA in Sexual Assault Cases: The Role of Law Enforcement‚ SAFE/SANE Nurses‚ and Victim Advocates, and
  • Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training.

(Posted May 26, 2022)

May 2022

NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute, which will be delivered online. In this 6-week training, you will refine and perfect your communication skills to become an effective trainer. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: June 6–10, no webinar.
• Week 1: Presentation Preparation, June 13–17, webinar on June 16.
• Week 2: Presentation Skills, June 20–24, webinar on June 23.
• Week 3: Facilitation Skills, June 27–July 1, webinar on June 30.
• Week 4: Facilitating Online Training, July 4–8, webinar on July 7.
• Week 5: Presenting and Facilitating with Cultural Humility, July 11–15, webinar on July 14.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted May 16, 2022)

May 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Program Evaluation

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Program Evaluation training, which will be delivered online. This 5-week training will give you the practical skills to conduct an evaluation and take some of the fear out of the process. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: What is Program Evaluation? May 31–June 3, no webinar.
• Week 1: Foundation to Program Evaluation, June 6–10, webinar on June 10.
• Week 2: Preparing for Program Evaluation – Developing a Program Evaluation Plan, June 13–17, webinar on June 17.
• Week 3: Implementing the Plan – Data Collection, June 20–24, webinar on June 24.
• Week 4: Analyzing Evaluation Data and Using it to Tell Your Program's Story, June 27–July 1, webinar on July 1.

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. ET

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted May 9, 2022)

May 2022

June Expert Q&A

On June 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Flerida Alarcón, Yesica Cioli, and Marcie Davis on "Considering a Facility Dog for Your Victim Service Program?"

During this session, experts will provide practical information about how you can incorporate a courthouse facility dog into your Child Advocacy Center, District Attorney’s Office, Family Courts, Tribal Courts, or other direct victim service programs.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted May 5, 2022)

April 2022

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day

In preparation for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day on May 5, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • American Indian/Alaska Native Populations and
  • Tribal Justice Systems.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,
  • Supporting Indigenous Victims of Violence,
  • Courageous Spirit: The Effects of Historical Trauma on AI/AN Communities,
  • The Impact of Human Trafficking in Native and Tribal Communities,
  • Tribal Elder Protection Team Toolkit: Developing Your Team, and
  • Developing and Implementing a Response to Sexual Assault in Tribal Communities.
• Explore the Tribal Victim Assistance page to find information and resources related to serving American Indian/Alaska Native victims of crime.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on Tribal Law and related resources.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find resources related to Native American communities.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.

(Posted April 26, 2022)

April 2022

Older Americans Month

In preparation for Older Americans Month this May, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Older Adults and 
  • Elder Abuse.
• Take the following online trainings:
  • Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers and 
  • Polyvictimization in Later Life.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:  
  • Expert Q&A,
  • Elder Justice Initiative, and
  • Specific Considerations for Providing Victim Services.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance Resources page for elder abuse resources.
• Review the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on Preparing Your Program To Meet the Unique Needs of Survivors and related resources.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on elder abuse.

(Posted April 26, 2022)

April 2022

National Police Week

In preparation for National Police Week, May 11–17, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:  
  • Expert Q&A and
  • Elder Justice Initiative.
• Explore the Vicarious Trauma page for information and resources related to identifying and addressing vicarious trauma.
• Access the Mass Violence and Terrorism page for resources related to law enforcement planning and response to mass violence and terrorism events, including the Death Notifications: Best Practices video.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on Collaboration With Community Partners and the Resource List.
• Review the following Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide sections:
  • Law Enforcement Action,
  • Law Enforcement Committee,
  • Strategies for Prosecutors & Law Enforcement, and
  • Tools for Law Enforcement.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources for law enforcement.
• Request the DNA in Sexual Assault Cases: The Role of Law Enforcement‚ SAFE/SANE Nurses‚ and Victim Advocates training.

(Posted April 26, 2022)

April 2022

Logic Models for Victim Service Programs: The Link Between Program Outcomes and Program Sustainability

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Logic Models for Victim Service Programs: The Link Between Program Outcomes and Program Sustainability” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

This presentation explores how the use of a logic model is an essential component of victim services program evaluation and planning. Information and discussion on the relationship between resources, activities, and outcomes will help prepare participants to consider the range and types of program outcomes to track.

(April 21, 2022)

April 2022

Views from the Field

As part of the National Victim Assistance Academy’s blended training Advanced Trainer Institute (ATI), participants produce recordings as their capstone project. ATI is designed to help participants who deliver trainings and workshops or make presentations currently and would like to learn how to make them more impactful.

Our participants come from a variety of victim service backgrounds all over the United States, but they all have one thing in common—a passion for sharing their knowledge and experience. This month, we are sharing recordings created by ATI participants that focus on inclusivity in the victim services field. 

To listen to the recording, select the link below each recording title and date. 

Recording: Victim…to Survivor
Date Recorded: February 2021
Listen to Recording | View Transcript (PDF, 113 KB)

Stephen Fletcher started his career working in human services. He has demonstrated leadership working in the foster care system, juvenile justice reform, behavioral health, and child victim services. Mr. Fletcher joined Family Service of the Piedmont in September 2020 in the role of LGBTQ+ outreach specialist. He was promoted to Community Outreach Team program coordinator in the spring of 2021 and oversaw the tremendous growth of that team, providing outreach, education, and specialized advocacy services. Presently, he serves as the director of victim services with Family Service of the Piedmont. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mars Hill University.

Sondra Phelps obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ashford University. Her natural drive for helping others, paired with her passion for ending sexual violence, led her to work in victim services. In July 2020, Ms. Phelps moved from the Midwest to North Carolina. She joined Family Services of the Piedmont as the sexual assault outreach specialist and advocates for and supports statewide initiatives to end sexual violence. She enjoys spending time with her family and cats in her spare time.

 

Recording: Sharing Resources in Victim Services: Approaching the Latinx Community
Date Recorded: May 2020
Listen to Recording | View Transcript (PDF, 93.6 KB)

Michelle Toledo Cainas graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University and a master's degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. She founded the Georgia Latinos Against Domestic Violence (GLADV) task force in 2009 to support the Latino community and those who work with them. GLADV held community meetings addressing issues impacting the community and offered a platform for advocates to network and gain more knowledge and skills. Ms. Toledo Cainas led, organized, and developed meetings, trainings, and events. She is currently working with the Center for Court Innovation as their Domestic Violence Resource for Increasing Safety and Connection.

Points of view or opinions on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

(Posted April 12, 2022)

April 2022

Expert Q&A Recording: Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives

A recording of the March Expert Q&A session on “Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides an overview of OVC TTAC’s engagement with communities across the United States in developing and sustaining vicarious trauma peer-to-peer collaboratives.

(Posted April 11, 2022)

April 2022

NVAA Leadership Institute

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Leadership Institute, which will be delivered online. This 11-week training will assist you in becoming a more effective leader of your team, work group, or organization. CEUs will be awarded to those who complete all of the requirements.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. ET

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted April 5, 2022)

April 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Sustaining Your Program's Capacity To Serve Victims

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Sustaining Your Program's Capacity To Serve Victims training, which will be delivered online. This 6-week training will teach you what sustainability means, how to assess a program's sustainability, the eight sustainability domains (Program Adaptation, Strategic Communications, Program Evaluation, Supportive Environment, Organizational Capacity, Strategic Partnerships, Resource Development, and Strategic Planning), and how to develop a sustainability plan. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: What is Sustainability? April 18–22, no webinar.
• Week 1: The 8 Domains and the Adaptability Domain, April 25–29, webinar on April 29.
• Week 2: Exploring Domains - Strategic Communications and Evaluations, May 2–6, webinar on May 6.
• Week 3: Exploring Domains - Organizational Capacity and Strategic Planning, May 9–13, webinar on May 13.
• Week 4: Exploring Domains - Strategic Partnerships and Resources, May 16–20, webinar on May 20.
• Week 5: The Environment Domain and Creating Next Steps, May 23–27, webinar on May 27.

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. ET

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted April 4, 2022)

March 2022

National Victim Assistance Academy Spring/Summer 2022 Schedule

The National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) Spring/Summer 2022 schedule is now available! NVAA trainings provide an intensive, interactive learning experience to develop your professional skills and knowledge. OVC TTAC delivers NVAA trainings using a blended learning approach—a combination of highly interactive, self-paced training and collaborative, facilitated webinars. They are free of charge and led by national subject matter experts.

OVC TTAC offers three NVAA training programs:

• The Leadership Institute teaches theoretical concepts and practical skills to help victim service administrators and leaders enhance their leadership skills and abilities in order to lead their organization, team, or work group more effectively.
• The Effective Management Series comprises comprehensive and practical trainings designed to build organizational capacity. Training topics include building resiliency in organizations and sustaining your program's capacity to serve victims.
• The Advanced Skills Institute is designed to build skills and address timely topics that confront victim service providers on a daily basis and that have direct impact on their work. There are currently two trainings that are part of this Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute, where victim service providers refine and perfect their communication skills to become an effective trainer; and Building Trauma-Informed Organizations, where managers learn how they can help their organization become trauma-informed.

Sign up for the OVC TTAC listserv to stay informed of all OVC TTAC news and activities, including announcements of NVAA registration open dates and any changes to the schedule.

(Posted March 31, 2022)

March 2022

Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: How To Design and Implement a Hospitality Center

A recording of the webinar on “Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: How To Design and Implement a Hospitality Center” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Mass Violence and Terrorism page.

The OVC TTAC Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit web training series continues with an indepth look at establishing a Hospitality Center. A Hospitality Center, also known as a safe haven, provides a secure environment where victims and survivors can find supportive services during the trial following a mass violence incident. 

(March 22, 2022)

March 2022

The Intersection of Trauma Informed Victim Assistance & Community Violence Intervention

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “The Intersection of Trauma Informed Victim Assistance & Community Violence Intervention” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

This presentation increases understanding of the effects of trauma on victims of violence, discusses best practices for providing trauma-informed services and assistance and identifies how this approach should be an integral part of broader community violence intervention efforts.

(March 15, 2022)

March 2022

Expert Q&A Recording: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

A recording of the February Expert Q&A session on “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session is an opportunity for advocates and other allies to increase their understanding of the alarming prevalence of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and how, as the Urban Indian Health Institute says, “… institutional practices allow them to disappear not once, but three times—in life, in media, and in the data.”

(Posted March 11, 2022)

March 2022

National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

In preparation for National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month this April, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Sexual Assault,
  • Incarcerated Victims of Sexual Violence,
  • Victims of Campus Sexual Assault, and
  • Victims of Sexual Assault in the Military.
• Visit the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner-Sexual Assault Response Teams page to find related resources and trainings, including the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide.
• Take the Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers online module on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
• Download materials from the following curricula:
  • Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training and
  • Unit 8: Sexual Assault from Victim Impact: Listen and Learn.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:  
  • Campus Sexual Assault,
  • Expert Q&A, and
  • Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault: Strategies To Strengthen Community Collaboration To Respond to Survivors' Needs.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on supporting survivors of sexual assault.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance Resources page for sexual assault resources.
• Request the new Strengthening Military-Civilian Community Partnerships To Respond to Sexual Assault 2.0: Responding to Military LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Assault training.

(Posted March 10, 2022)

March 2022

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

In preparation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Child Abuse,
  • Children and Youth, and
  • Teen Relationship Abuse.
• Take the Providing Effective Services to Young Men and Boys of Color online training.
• Download materials from the following curricula:
  • Building Resiliency in Child Abuse Organizations and
  • Unit 9: Child Abuse and Neglect from Victim Impact: Listen and Learn.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Effective Communication Techniques: Strategies for Interacting With and Representing Child Victim Clients,
  • Effective Legal Representation of Child Victims: What Every Lawyer Should Know About the Impact of Trauma,
  • Faith and Community Based Approaches to Victim Services, and
  • Expert Q&A.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on child maltreatment and related resources.
• Review the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide sections on Foreign National Minors and Minors & Adolescents.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on assisting victims of child abuse.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance Resources page for child maltreatment resources.

(Posted March 10, 2022)

March 2022

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

In preparation for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 24–30, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Advocacy,
  • Collaboration, and 
  • Victims’ Rights.
• Review the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide section on Community-Based Partnerships.
• Take the Understanding Human Trafficking online training to learn new strategies for researching and analyzing laws and policies that impact human trafficking, victim services, and victims' rights.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings which leverage community partnerships to assist victims of crime:
  • Victims’ Rights,
  • Capacity Building Webinars for Human Trafficking Service Providers,
  • Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault: Strategies To Strengthen Community Collaboration To Respond to Survivors’ Needs, and
  • Mass Violence and Terrorism.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide for related resources.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources on victims’ rights.
• Request training and technical assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.

(Posted March 10, 2022)

February 2022

March Expert Q&A

On March 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, OVC TTAC will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Pamela Champlain and Janet Fine on "Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives."

This session will provide an overview of OVC TTAC’s engagement with communities across the United States in developing and sustaining vicarious trauma peer-to-peer collaboratives.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted February 24, 2022)

February 2022

Logic Model for Victim Service Programs: The Link Between Program Outcomes and Program Sustainability

Please join us on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 2:00–3:15 p.m. eastern time, for the OVC TTAC webinar "Logic Model for Victim Service Programs: The Link Between Program Outcomes and Program Sustainability.”

This presentation is part of the new Vital Subjects series and will explore how the use of a logic model is an essential component of victim services program evaluation and planning. Information and discussion on the relationship between resources, activities, and outcomes will help prepare participants to consider the range and types of program outcomes to track.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted February 23, 2022)

February 2022

Planning for Sustainability, Diversifying Funding, and Writing Complex Grants

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Planning for Sustainability, Diversifying Funding, and Writing Complex Grants” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

The first session in this series explores effective resource and partnership development. The second session explores the essential ingredients of complex grant applications: compelling statements of need, detailed budget justifications aligned with project goals and objectives, and quality outcome measures.

(Posted February 22, 2022)

February 2022

January Expert Q&A Recording

A recording of the January Expert Q&A session on “Creating Safe Spaces for Transgender Survivors” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides participants with practical guidance and insight on creating inclusive environments, practices, and policies that support transgender survivors.

(Posted February 21, 2022)

February 2022

National Consumer Protection Week

In preparation for National Consumer Protection Week, March 6–12, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Cyber Fraud,
  • Financial Crimes, and
  • Identity Theft.
• Take the following online trainings:
  • Identity Theft Victim Assistance Online Training and
  • Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers: Financial Fraud and Exploitation.
• Access the following Expert Q&A webinar recordings: 
  • Cyberharassment and Cyberstalking and
  • Expanding Outreach to Victims of Identity Theft and Cybercrime.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the Elder Justice Initiative webinar series.
• Visit the National Elder Fraud Hotline website for information on how to report elder financial fraud.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find financial resources to support crime victims.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources regarding supporting victims of identity theft.
• Request Customized Technical Assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.

(Posted February 8, 2022)

February 2022

Views from the Field

As part of the National Victim Assistance Academy’s blended training Advanced Trainer Institute (ATI), participants produce recordings as their capstone project. ATI is designed to help participants who deliver trainings and workshops or make presentations currently and would like to learn how to make them more impactful.

Our participants come from a variety of victim service backgrounds all over the United States, but they all have one thing in common—a passion for sharing their knowledge and experience. This month, we are sharing a recording created by an ATI participant that focuses on the use of imagery in the human trafficking field.

To listen to the recording, select the link at the bottom of the recording description.

Recording: Best Practices for Human Trafficking Programs
Date Recorded: April 2021
Vanessa Hunsberger is the Coordinator of the Washington Advisory Committee on Trafficking, a position housed within the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Washington. Since 2019, she has supported the collaborative efforts of around 40 agencies to provide trauma-informed services to survivors of human trafficking and increase the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes. Prior to joining the IRC in Washington, Vanessa served as a Senior Program Officer at the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, where she designed and implemented justice reform projects in Asia and Africa. She has worked in close partnership with domestic and foreign government actors and civil society partners to develop evidence-based programs that bridge service gaps impacting different populations. She also has extensive experience managing federal grants. Vanessa obtained her JD from the University of Washington School of Law and speaks French and Mandarin.
Listen to Recording | View Transcript (PDF, 85.5 KB)

Points of view or opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

(Posted February 7, 2022)

February 2022

Mass Violence and Terrorism: How To Design and Implement a Hospitality Center Webinar

Please join us on Tuesday, March 8 or Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 1:30–3:00 p.m. eastern time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) webinar "Mass Violence and Terrorism: How To Design and Implement a Hospitality Center."

The OVC TTAC Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit web training series continues with an indepth look at establishing a Hospitality Center. A Hospitality Center, also known as a safe haven, provides a secure environment where victims and survivors can find supportive services during the trial following a mass violence incident. 

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted February 4, 2022)

February 2022

The Intersection of Trauma Informed Victim Assistance & Community Violence Intervention

Please join us on Friday, February 25, 2022, from 2:00–3:30 p.m. eastern time, for the OVC TTAC webinar "The Intersection of Trauma Informed Victim Assistance & Community Violence Intervention.”

This presentation is part of the new Vital Subjects series and will increase understanding of the effects of trauma on victims of violence, discuss best practices for providing trauma-informed services and assistance and identify how this approach should be an integral part of broader community violence intervention efforts.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted February 2, 2022)

January 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Outreach and Marketing

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Outreach and Marketing training, which will be delivered online. In this 3-week training you will learn how to develop a marketing plan, conduct an analysis of your audience, and identify techniques to launch your outreach and marketing campaign. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Introduction to Marketing, February 22–25, no webinar.
• Week 1: Identifying and Reaching your Target Audience, February 28–March 4, webinar on March 4.
• Week 2: Finalizing a Marketing Plan and Measuring Efforts, March 7–11, webinar on March 11.

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. ET.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted January 31, 2022)

January 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Strategic Planning for Program Managers

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Strategic Planning for Program Managers training, which will be delivered online. This 4-week training will review the strategic planning process so you will be prepared to create and implement your organization's strategic plan. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Introduction to Strategic Planning, February 22–25, no webinar.
• Week 1: Prepare and Assess, February 28–March 4, webinar on March 4.
• Week 2: Create, March 7–11, webinar on March 11.
• Week 3: Implement and Communicate, March 14–18 , webinar on March 18. 

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. ET. 

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted January 31, 2022)

January 2022

February Expert Q&A

On February 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, OVC TTAC will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Nicole Matthews on "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls."

This session is an opportunity for advocates and other allies to increase their understanding of the alarming prevalence of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and how, as the Urban Indian Health Institute says, “… institutional practices allow them to disappear not once, but three times—in life, in media, and in the data.”

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted January 28, 2022)

January 2022

Identity Theft Awareness Week

In preparation for Identity Theft Awareness Week, January 31–February 4, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Cyber Fraud,
  • Financial Crimes, and
  • Identity Theft.
• Take the following online trainings:
  • Identity Theft Victim Assistance Online Training and
  • Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers: Financial Fraud and Exploitation.
• Access the following Expert Q&A webinar recordings: 
  • Cyberharassment and Cyberstalking and
  • Expanding Outreach to Victims of Identity Theft and Cybercrime.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the Elder Justice Initiative webinar series.
• Visit the National Elder Fraud Hotline website for information on how to report elder financial fraud.
• Request Customized Technical Assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.

(Posted January 25, 2022)

January 2022

National Black History Month

In preparation for National Black History Month this February, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online and take the following modules:
  • Hate and Bias Crimes and
  • Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Take the Providing Effective Services to Young Men and Boys of Color training for best practices for working with young men and boys of color who are victims of crime.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide for related resources.

(Posted January 25, 2022)

January 2022

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

In preparation for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month this February, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules: 
  • Teen Relationship Abuse,
  • Intimate Partner Violence, and 
  • Victims of Campus Sexual Assault.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Campus Sexual Assault webinar series,
  • The Intersection of Intimate Partner Violence and Title IX,
  • Serving Victims of Teen Dating Violence,
  • Forging Relationships Between Victim Service Providers and Academic Institutions, and
  • Working with At-risk Youth with High Levels of Trauma and Risk for (Re)Victimization.
• Download the Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training module on Campus Sexual Assault.
• Review the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide section on Victim Populations.
• Request Customized Technical Assistance to address your organization’s needs and build your capacity to better serve crime victims.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance Resources page for federal and non-federal resources on tribal dating violence and intimate partner violence.
• Review the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide section on Expanding Your Program To Include Intimate Partner Violence and the Resource List.
• Review the Integrating Crime Victims’ Issues Into College and University Curricula resource paper on Intimate Partner Violence [PDF 148KB].

(Posted January 13, 2022)

January 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Pathways in Victim Services

We are now accepting applications for the Pathways in Victim Services training, which will be delivered online. This 6-week training explores and builds skills within three paths—advocacy, public speaking, and activism. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Overview of the Victim Services Field: February 7–11, (no webinar this week).
• Week 1: Exploring Opportunities in the Victim Service Field: February 14–18, webinar on February 17.
• Week 2: Exploring the Path to Victim Advocacy: February 21–25, webinar on February 24.
• Week 3: Exploring the Path to Public Speaking: February 28–March 4, webinar on March 3.
• Week 4: Exploring the Path in Activism: March 7–11, webinar on March 10.
• Week 5: Navigating the Workplace in the Victim Services Field: March 14–18, webinar on March 17.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted January 10, 2022)

January 2022

Practical Strategies for Self-Care

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Practical Strategies for Self-Care” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

While traditional self-care activities, such as massages or yoga practices, can be valuable parts of a self-care toolbox, this webinar explores why it’s critical to recognize the importance of other factors, including setting healthy boundaries and accessing support as an integral part of a holistic approach to self-care.

(Posted January 5, 2022)

January 2022

NVAA Effective Management Series: Sustaining Your Program's Capacity To Serve Victims

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Sustaining Your Program's Capacity To Serve Victims training, which will be delivered online. This 6-week training will teach you what sustainability means, how to assess a program's sustainability, the eight sustainability domains (Program Adaptation, Strategic Communications, Program Evaluation, Supportive Environment, Organizational Capacity, Strategic Partnerships, Resource Development, and Strategic Planning), and how to develop a sustainability plan. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: What is Sustainability? January 24–28, no webinar.
• Week 1: The 8 Domains and the Adaptability Domain, January 31–February 4, webinar on February 4.
• Week 2: Exploring Domains - Strategic Communications and Evaluations, February 7–11, webinar on February 11.
• Week 3: Exploring Domains - Organizational Capacity and Strategic Planning, February 14–18, webinar on February 18.
• Week 4: Exploring Domains - Strategic Partnerships and Resources, February 21–25, webinar on February 25.
• Week 5: The Environment Domain and Creating Next Steps, February 28–March 4, webinar on March 4.

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted January 3, 2022)

December 2021

January Expert Q&A

On January 26, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. e.t., OVC TTAC will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Wade Arvizu and Jey'nce Poindexter on "Creating Safe Spaces for Transgender Survivors."

This session will provide participants with practical guidance and insight on creating inclusive environments, practices, and policies that support transgender survivors.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted December 17, 2021)

December 2021

November Expert Q&A Recording

A recording of the November Expert Q&A session on “Prosecutors and Trauma Exposure: Effects and Mitigation Strategies” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides an overview of the findings of a research study that applied qualitative methods to examine the perspectives of prosecutors in Virginia who work sex crime cases.

(Posted December 16, 2021)

December 2021

NVAA Effective Management Series: Developing and Managing a Board of Directors

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Developing and Managing a Board of Directors training, which will be delivered online. This 4-week training will provide a step-by-step guide to building an effective board as well as strategies for keeping members involved and accountable. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: The Importance of Board Development, January 17–21, no webinar.
• Week 1: Assessing Board Needs, Recruiting, and Orienting Board Members, January 24–28, webinar on January 28.
• Week 2: Involving and Educating Board Members, January 31–February 4, webinar on February 4.
• Week 3: Evaluating, Rotating and Celebrating the Board, February 7–11, webinar on February 11.

All webinars are conducted on Fridays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted December 15, 2021)

December 2021

NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Building Trauma-Informed Organizations

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Building Trauma-Informed Organizations training, which will be delivered online. This 5-week training provides guidance in how your organization can become trauma-informed and how to modify policies and procedures to respond to trauma victims. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: The Impact of Trauma, January 10–14, no webinar.
• Week 1: The Layers of a Trauma-Informed Approach, January 17–21, webinar on January 20.
• Week 2: The Foundation of a Trauma-Informed Organization, January 24–28, webinar on January 27.
• Week 3: Assessing Your Organization, January 31–February 4, webinar on February 3.
• Week 4: Developing Your Organization's Trauma-Informed Approach, February 7–11, webinar on February 10.

All webinars are conducted on Thursday from 11:30 a.m–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted December 13, 2021)

December 2021

Representation Matters: Using Trauma-Informed Language and Imagery in Victim Services

A recording of the Vital Subjects webinar on “Representation Matters: Using Trauma-Informed Language and Imagery in Victim Services” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Vital Subjects page.

This webinar reviews the ways the core principles of trauma-informed care can be applied to the use of language and images/visuals in direct services, within the organization, and in training and outreach materials.

(Posted December 9, 2021)

December 2021

National Stalking Awareness Month

In preparation for National Stalking Awareness Month this January, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the Stalking module.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Cyberharassment and Cyberstalking,
  • Interjurisdictional Enforcement of Protection Orders,
  • The Intersection of Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Domestic Violence, and
  • Campus Safety Planning: Remedial Measures, Schedule Mapping, and No Contact Orders.

(Posted December 8, 2021)

December 2021

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

In preparation for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Take the Understanding Human Trafficking online training.
• Visit the Human Trafficking page to find related webinars and other training and technical assistance resources.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find resources to assist in the formation of new task forces as well as guidance and support for existing task forces.
• Enroll in VAT Online to take the Human Trafficking module.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Increasing Community Awareness of Labor Trafficking,
  • Housing, Addiction, and Human Trafficking,
  • The Vulnerabilities of LGBTQ and Homeless Youth to Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, and
  • Addressing Substance Abuse When Responding to Survivors of Human Trafficking.
• Access the Tribal Victim Assistance page for a list of federal and non-federal human trafficking resources.
• Visit the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide to access the chapter on Human Trafficking and related resources.

(Posted December 8, 2021)

December 2021

NVAA Leadership Institute

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Leadership Institute, which will be delivered online. This 11-week training will assist you in becoming a more effective leader of your team, work group, or organization. CEUs will be awarded to those who complete all of the requirements.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted December 6, 2021)

December 2021

Planning for Sustainability, Diversifying Funding, and Writing Complex Grants

Please join us on Wednesdays, January 12 and 19, 2022, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. eastern time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center webinar "Planning for Sustainability, Diversifying Funding, and Writing Complex Grants."

The first session in this series will explore effective resource and partnership development. The second session will explore the essential ingredients of complex grant applications: compelling statements of need, detailed budget justifications aligned with project goals and objectives, and quality outcome measures.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted December 1, 2021)

November 2021

Practical Strategies for Self-Care

Please join us on Monday, December 13, 2021, from 1:30–3:00 p.m. eastern time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center webinar “Practical Strategies for Self-Care.” While traditional self-care activities, such as massages or yoga practices, can be valuable parts of a self-care toolbox, this webinar will explore why it’s critical to recognize the importance of other factors, including setting healthy boundaries and accessing support as an integral part of a holistic approach to self-care.

Register now or visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted November 17, 2021)

November 2021

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

In preparation for National Impaired Driving Prevention Month this December, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the Impaired Driving module.
• Access the Expert Q&A webinar recording on Serving Victims of Impaired Driving and DUI Crashes.
• Visit the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn download center to download the training unit on Drunk and Impaired Driving.
• Download the resource paper on Impaired Driving from the Integrating Crime Victims’ Issues Into College and University Curricula.

(Posted November 16, 2021)

November 2021

NVAA Effective Management Series: Building Resiliency in Organizations

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Building Resiliency in Organizations training, which will be delivered online. This 3-week training provides a resiliency model and explains how it can be applied to organizations. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: Acknowledging Resiliency, November 29–December 3, no webinar.
• Week 1: The Five Core Elements of Resiliency, December 6–10, webinar on December 9.
• Week 2: Identifying Strategies for Building Resiliency in Organizations, December 13–17, webinar on December 16.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 2:30–3:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted November 8, 2021)

November 2021

NVAA Effective Management Series: Building and Managing Volunteer Programs

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Effective Management Series: Building and Managing Volunteer Programs training, which will be delivered online. This 3-week training will focus on the importance of volunteers; how to recruit, screen, onboard, and retain them; and how to determine the costs associated with managing volunteers. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: The Importance of Volunteerism, November 29–December 3, no webinar.
• Week 1: Finding the Right Volunteers, December 6–10, webinar on December 9.
• Week 2: Onboarding and Retaining Volunteers, December 13–17, webinar on December 16.

All webinars are conducted on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted November 8, 2021)

November 2021

Representation Matters: Using Trauma-Informed Language and Imagery in Victim Services

Please join us on Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 2:00–3:15 p.m., Eastern Time, for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) Representation Matters: Using Trauma-Informed Language and Imagery in Victim Services webinar.

This webinar will review the ways the core principles of trauma-informed care can be applied to the use of language and images/visuals in direct services, within the organization, and in training and outreach materials.

Visit the Webinars page for more information.

(Posted November 8, 2021)

November 2021

Views from the Field

As part of the National Victim Assistance Academy’s blended training Advanced Trainer Institute (ATI), participants produce recordings as their capstone project. ATI is designed to help participants who deliver trainings and workshops or make presentations currently and would like to learn how to make them more impactful.

Our participants come from a variety of victim service backgrounds all over the United States, but they all have one thing in common—a passion for sharing their knowledge and experience. This month, we are sharing recordings created by ATI participants that focus on domestic violence—foundational knowledge about domestic violence and the challenges that victims of domestic violence face when leaving their situation.

To listen to the recording, select the link at the bottom of each recording description.

Recording: What is Domestic Violence?
Date Recorded: May 2020
Helen Atkinson-Barnes is the education program director at The Retreat, a domestic and sexual violence
prevention agency and shelter serving the East End of Long Island, where she has been developing and
facilitating violence prevention education programming with schools, community groups, and professionals for
more than 15 years. She shares her work at regional and national conferences, including the National Center
for Victims of Crime, Futures Without Violence, and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Listen to Recording | View Transcript (PDF, 88 KB)
 

Recording: The Challenges of Domestic Violence Victims in Leaving Their Situation
Date Recorded: August 2019
Nancy Larsen has been the community liaison for the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for the last 7 years. Before
that, she and her family lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she was a victim advocate at The Compass
Center, a rape and domestic abuse center. She spent the last 15 years of her work life in the nonprofit sector.
Ms. Larsen also serves on various boards and coalitions.
Listen to Recording | View Transcript (PDF, 123 KB)

Points of view or opinions on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

(Posted November 8, 2021)

October 2021

November Expert Q&A

On November 30, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. e.t., OVC TTAC will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Cynthia Micklem and Tammi Slovinsky on "Prosecutors and Trauma Exposure: Effects and Mitigation Strategies."

This session will provide an overview of the findings of a research study that applied qualitative methods to examine the perspectives of prosecutors in Virginia who work sex crime cases. The discussion will include mitigation strategies for criminal justice system personnel designed to enhance resiliency while working with victims of crime.

Register now to submit your own questions or visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted October 27, 2021)

October 2021

National Native American Heritage Month

In preparation for National Native American Heritage Month this November, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • American Indian/Alaska Native Populations and
  • Tribal Justice Systems.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access the following recordings:
  • Supporting Indigenous Victims of Violence,
  • Courageous Spirit: The Effects of Historical Trauma on AI/AN Communities,
  • The Impact of Human Trafficking in Native and Tribal Communities,
  • The Ripple Effect of Crime: Coordinating a Collaborative Response to Victimization in Tribal Communities,
  • Tribal Elder Protection Team Toolkit: Developing Your Team, and
  • Developing and Implementing a Response to Sexual Assault in Tribal Communities.
• Explore the Tribal Victim Assistance page to find information and resources related to serving American Indian/Alaska Native victims of crime.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find resources related to Native American communities.
• Visit the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide to access the chapter on Tribal Law and related resources.

(Posted October 15, 2021)

October 2021

September Expert Q&A Recording

A recording of the September Expert Q&A session on “Are You Prepared? The Role of Victim Assistance Providers in Preparing and Responding to Incidents of Mass Violence” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session covers proactive strategies for connecting with local resources and identifying resources that can help prepare victim assistance practitioners for their role in mass violence incident response and recovery.

(Posted October 7, 2021)

October 2021

New Board Member Orientation for Victim Service Organizations

The New Board Member Orientation for Victim Service Organizations online training is now available. This training welcomes and orients new board members to governance service in victim assistance organizations. Combined with local agency onboarding, this training will prepare new board members to govern with care and excellence.

(Posted October 6, 2021)

October 2021

NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute

We are now accepting applications for the NVAA Advanced Skills Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute training, which will be delivered online. In this 6-week training, you will refine and perfect your communication skills to become an effective trainer. CEUs will be awarded for those who complete all requirements. The schedule for this training is as follows:

• Introductory Week: October 18–22, no webinar.
• Week 1: Adult Learning Styles and Presentation Skills, October 25–29, webinar on October 28.
• Week 2: Understanding Facilitation, November 1–5, webinar on November 4.
• Week 3: Facilitation Skills, November 8–12, webinar on November 11.
• Week 4: Delivering Online Training, November 15–19, webinar on November 18.
• Week 5: Presenting and Facilitating with Cultural Humility, November 29–December 3, webinar on December 2.

All webinars are conducted on Thursday from 11:30 a.m–12:45 p.m. e.t.

Apply Now

For more information about this training, please contact nvaa@ovcttac.org.

(Posted October 4, 2021)

October 2021

Adove Captivate Prime Downtime

Adobe Captivate Prime will be down for a scheduled update from 12:00 to 10:00 a.m. e.t. on Saturday, October 16. During this time, the learning management system may be inaccessible to users. If you have any questions, please contact OVC TTAC at ttac@ovcttac.org or 1–866–682–8822.

(Posted October 4, 2021)

October 2021

Activity Spotlight

The Activity Spotlight for October shines on the VOICES Center for Resilience. The VOICES Center (formerly VOICES for 9/11) requested virtual customized training on resilience. The series addressed the core elements of resilience, strategies for building resilience, and creating plans for cultivating individual and community resilience.

(Posted October 1, 2021)

September 2021

The faceted search function for the OVC TTAC website is now available.

With this improved search function, you can—

• Conduct searches and filter results targeted to your areas of interest
• Browse trending searches to stay up to date on the latest topics
• Determine which topics are covered on each page listed in the search results, without having to sift through all the content
• Find information and resources you may have missed before

See how the upgraded search tool can help you.

(Posted September 30, 2021)

September 2021

National Victim Assistance Academy 2021–2022 Schedule

The National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) 2021–2022 schedule is now available! NVAA trainings provide an intensive, interactive learning experience to develop your professional skills and knowledge. OVC TTAC delivers NVAA trainings using a blended learning approach—a combination of highly interactive, self-paced training and collaborative, facilitated webinars. They are free of charge and led by national subject matter experts.

OVC TTAC offers three NVAA training programs:

• The Leadership Institute teaches theoretical concepts and practical skills to help victim service administrators and leaders enhance their leadership skills and abilities in order to lead their organization, team, or work group more effectively.
• The Effective Management Series comprises comprehensive and practical trainings designed to build organizational capacity. Training topics include building resiliency in organizations and developing and sustaining collaborations. 
• The Advanced Skills Institute is designed to build skills and address timely topics that confront victim service providers on a daily basis and that have direct impact on their work. There are currently two trainings that are part of this Institute: Advanced Trainer Institute, where victim service providers refine and perfect their communication skills to become an effective trainer; and Building Trauma-Informed Organizations, where managers learn how they can help their organization become trauma-informed.

Sign up for the OVC TTAC listserv to stay informed of all OVC TTAC news and activities, including announcements of NVAA registration open dates and any changes to the schedule.

(Posted September 28, 2021)

September 2021

In Memoriam – Billie Jo Matelevich-Hoang

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Billie Jo Matelevich-Hoang’s passing on September 1, 2021. Billie joined OVC TTAC in 2012 and served as the Attorney/VictimLaw Team Lead. Billie attended Widener School of Law in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she graduated 3rd in her class and participated as an editor for the Law Review. Billie used her legal training and commitment to crime victims’ rights and services to create a number of OVC TTAC training series addressing Crime Victims’ Rights, Campus Sexual Assault, and Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers. Billie’s work on Title IX activities included participating in White House Task Force meetings. Under Billie’s leadership, VictimLaw grew to include more than 30,000 victims’ rights laws. Billie’s wit, humor, and commitment to crime victims and educating future attorneys will be greatly missed by everyone at OVC TTAC. Billie is survived by her loving husband James Matelevich-Hoang, her mother, father, sisters Amber and Alexis Matelevich, her mother in-law Kimberly Hoang, sister in-law Jennifer Crasta, nephews Sean Lewis and Martin Wrobel, and nieces Kyra and Kalyani Crasta.

(Posted September 20, 2021)

September 2021

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In preparation for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Intimate Partner Violence, and
  • Teen Relationship Abuse.
• Access the Online Training page to learn about the following interactive trainings:
• Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and
• Polyvictimization in Later Life Module 2: Older Adults Affected by Polyvictimization.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:
  • Expert Q&A,
  • Human Trafficking, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault: Strategies to Strengthen Community Collaboration to Respond to Survivors' Needs, and
  • Telemedicine: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Responding to Sexual Assault.
• Use materials from Unit 10: Domestic Violence of the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn curricula to conduct training on domestic violence.
• Access the Resource Library to download resources regarding supporting domestic violence victims.
• Visit the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide to find resources related to supporting survivors of domestic violence.
• Visit the Tribal Victim Assistance page for a list of domestic violence resources.
• Access the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide for related resources.

(Posted September 17, 2021)

September 2021

National Cyber Security Awareness Month

In preparation for National Cyber Security Awareness Month this October, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Review the Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide section Engage in Open Charge Selection.
• Enroll in VAT Online to take the following modules:
  • Cyber Fraud,
  • Financial Crimes, and
  • Identity Theft.
• Take the following online trainings:
  • Identity Theft Victim Assistance Online Training, and
  • Online Elder Abuse Training for Legal Service Providers: Financial Fraud and Exploitation.
• Visit the Past Webinars page to access recordings from the following webinar series:
  • Expert Q&A, and
  • Elder Justice Initiative.
• Visit the National Elder Fraud Hotline website for information on how to report elder financial fraud.

(Posted September 17, 2021)

September 2021

August Expert Q&A Recording

A recording of the August Expert Q&A session on the “U.S. Department of Justice International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

This session provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Justice International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program and provides an example of a typical claim and the process for responding to claims.

(Posted September 1, 2021)

August 2021

National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

In preparation for the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims this September 25, OVC TTAC offers several resources:

• Access the following Expert Q&A webinar recordings:
  • U.S. Department of Justice International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program, and 
  • Coordinated Trauma Support Services – Collaboration To Support Survivors of Homicide and Other Traumatic Losses.
• Use materials from the Unit 12: Homicide section from the Victim Impact: Listen and Learn curriculum to conduct training on the impact of homicide.
• Download resources regarding supporting homicide victims from the Resource Library.
• Access the recorded Elder Justice Initiative webinar session on “The Forgotten Victims: Elder Homicides.”
• Visit the Mass Violence and Terrorism page to access a range of resources to assist with developing a comprehensive plan to respond to the immediate and short- and long-term needs of victims of mass violence incidents.

(Posted August 26, 2021)

August 2021

September Expert Q&A

On September 29, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. e.t., OVC TTAC will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Tara Hughes and Victoria Shelton on "Are You Prepared? The Role of Victim Assistance Providers in Preparing and Responding to Incidents of Mass Violence."

In this session, participants will learn about proactive strategies for connecting with local resources and identifying resources that can help prepare victim assistance practitioners for their role in mass violence incident response and recovery.

Visit the Expert Q&A page for more information.

(Posted August 25, 2021)

August 2021

July Expert Q&A Recording

A recording of the July Expert Q&A session on “Victim Service Provider Program Outcome Measures” is now available, along with a copy of the PowerPoint on our Expert Q&A page.

In this session, participants discuss best practices in measuring victim service outcomes and share solutions to common challenges. In addition, the hosts share findings from the new Outcomes Measurement Tool, a resource developed by the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center to assist programs with developing and tracking outcome data and establishing more streamlined measures.

(Posted August 18, 2021)