Summary:

This session provides an indepth look at the Volunteer Management victim assistance protocol. Volunteers play a key role in our communities in the aftermath of crises, disasters, emergencies, and incidents of mass violence. Many government, nongovernmental, nonprofit, faith-based, and philanthropic agencies and organizations rely on volunteers to supplement their existing staff to increase their capacity to respond. Engaging volunteers in the response to a mass violence incident will enhance your ability to serve the needs of victims, survivors, and the community.

Volunteer Management is included in the Notification protocol, one of 13 victim assistance protocols in OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit. 

Summary:

This session provides an indepth look at the Notification victim assistance protocol. While the delivery of death notifications in a single homicide or in mass violence incidents are similar, there are also some unique aspects of mass fatalities that should be considered. This session looks at the factors related to delivering mass violence death notifications, the dynamics of death notification teams, training needs and how to integrate a trauma-informed approach.

Death Notification is included in the Notification protocol, one of 13 victim assistance protocols in OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit.

Summary:

The second session builds on the details that were discussed in "Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: The First 24 to 48 Hours – Part 1." This session provides an overview of the transition from short-term to long-term assistance; how to execute productive outreach plans; understanding immediate/acute, intermediate/transitional, and long-term needs of survivors; how to honor victims and survivors; and how to get involved in exercise planning.

Summary:

The first session introduces tips for building and maintaining partnerships before a mass violence incident occurs, effective collaboration strategies to implement when planning for and responding to mass violence incidents, steps to execute a response plan, challenges with issuing death notifications, and factors to consider when setting up a Family Assistance Center.

Summary:

This session provides an overview of the importance of communication in responding to incidents of mass violence and terrorism. Communication itself is an intervention tool, so it is important to consider how you are sharing information. When information is shared effectively it decreases anxiety and can provide those who are affected with a sense of being supported. When victims and the public know where to get more information, they are likely to be less anxious. Timely, accurate, and thoughtful information decreases opportunities for speculation and rumor and can help victims understand what has and is occurring, allowing them to begin to process the event and start the recovery process. Lessons learned from previous incidents consistently underscore that all response and recovery efforts are more effective when there is a planned and comprehensive communications management strategy that focuses on communication among all responders, with victims and survivors, and with the community during the response and recovery phases.

Communications is one of 13 victim assistance protocols in OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit.

Summary:

This session provides an overview of the complex process of managing donations. The process includes organizing, storing, and disbursing the funds, goods, and services received in response to incidents of mass violence or terrorism. Lessons learned from previous incidents consistently underscore that response and recovery efforts are more effective when there is a planned and comprehensive donation management strategy in place that focuses on both the immediate and longer term needs of victims, survivors, and the affected community.

Donation Management is one of 13 victim assistance protocols in OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit.

Summary:

This session provides an overview of how civic, government, and business sectors can use OVC's Helping Victims of Mass Violence & Terrorism: Planning, Response, Recovery, and Resources Toolkit to develop a comprehensive victim assistance plan to respond to incidents of mass violence and terrorism. Lessons learned from past incidents indicate that with advanced planning (including establishing victim assistance protocols), and developing and maintaining multidisciplinary partnerships, communities are better prepared to engage a holistic approach to victim assistance to ensure that each victim's needs are met.