NAVAA

NCVRW CAP Grant Applications DUE
2024-10-08 08:00 - 2024-11-08 18:59 (America/Chicago)
NCVRW CAP intends to promote National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and to enhance the general public’s awareness of the rights and services for victims of all types of crimes. The application should describe a project impacting the general community rather than a narrow or select audience. The broader the project’s scope, the more likely it will be funded.
Many previous recipients have shown considerable imagination and creativity in getting the word out about crime victims’ rights and services. For the most part, NCVRW CAP-funded activities involve one or more of the following:

a public event at which individual members of the general public physically attend in person (e.g., candlelight vigils, information or resource fairs, 5k walk/runs, memorial services).
mass media advertising (e.g., newspaper, radio, or television ads, billboards, mass transit or movie theatre ads, including social media); and the production, publication, and distribution of printed awareness materials (e.g., brochures, posters, victims’ rights cards, resource directories).

For a summary of prior activities, go to https://navaa.org/previous-recipients/
To apply, go to https://navaa.org/application-guide/.

Expert Q&A: Interpersonal Violence and Strangulation
2024-10-10 13:00 - 15:00
Oct 10, 2024 01:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)

Description:
When conducting assessments or forensic exams with a victim of domestic violence, any reported history of strangulation places the person at a higher risk for more serious violence or homicide at the hands of their intimate partner. Strangulation can have serious, permanent, or even fatal damage to a victim’s throat or brain (Vehling, 2020). However, healthcare providers can help mitigate long-term damage by recognizing signs of strangulation, properly documenting any evidence of abuse, and providing referrals for seeking safety assistance. How do you recognize the signs and symptoms of strangulation? What can you do after identifying a victim of strangulation?

Reference: Vehling, S. (2020). Why strangulation in domestic violence is a huge red flag. Shelter for Abused Women & Children. https://naplesshelter.org/strangulation

To register, click here.

VOCA 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration
2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:00
NAVAA is partnering with the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) on VOCA’s 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration. We will celebrate VOCA’s history, the impact of the Crime Victims Fund (CVF) on crime victims and survivors, and a national call to action in support of the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act.
The commemoration is on Tuesday, October 15 from 1-2 pm ET. Please join us and share the event with your sub-recipients and community stakeholders. Visit NOVA’s website for more information and register for the virtual event: VOCA 40th Anniversary Virtual Commemoration Webpage

2025 NCVRW CAP Grant Application Deadline
2024-10-16 08:00 - 2024-11-08 18:59
2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Projects
Funding Opportunity
The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA), in cooperation with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), is seeking proposals for innovative and collaborative approaches to promoting community‐wide public awareness of the rights and available services for victims of all types of crimes during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 6-12, 2025.
The 2025 NCVRW theme is Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing.
Successful applicants will be awarded up to $5,000 each in reimbursement for approved NCVRW public awareness activities through the NCVRW Community Awareness Project’s (CAP) program. Public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community‐based victim service organizations, faith‐based organizations, tribal organizations, and community coalitions committed to advocating for the rights and services of crime victims are among those encouraged to apply.
Over the past 16 years, the NCVRW Community Awareness Project has supported more than 1,600 community projects to raise public awareness about victims’ rights and services. Within many of these communities, NCVRW events were enhanced by the collaborative partnerships formed during each project’s planning phase.
Generally, the types of activities supported with NCVRW CAP funds fall into one or more of the following categories:

a public event at which individual members of the general public physically attend in person (e.g., candlelight vigils, information or resource fairs, 5k walk/runs, memorial services).
mass media advertising (e.g., newspaper, radio, or television ads, billboards, mass transit or movie theatre ads, including social media); and
the production, publication, and distribution of printed awareness materials (e.g., brochures, posters, victims’ rights cards, resource directories).

Examples of allowable costs include the production and purchase of advertising in print media, social media, radio, television, or outdoor advertising to promote NCVRW events, victims’ rights, and available services; design and printing of promotional materials; support for event speakers; design and printing of posters, invitations, and fliers; and the purchase of supplies and materials used in public awareness events and activities. Salaries, entertainment, and fundraising costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
The application deadline is Friday, November 8, 2024, 7:59 pm ET.

NCVRW CAP Grant Applicant Webinar
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:30
Please register for 2025 NCVRW CAP Grant Applicant’s Webinar on Oct 16, 2024 1:00 PM CDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7772644951644813408
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Brought to you by GoTo Webinar®
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Register for OVC Grantee Orientation
2024-10-17 14:00 - 15:30
After your registration is approved, you’ll receive an email confirmation that includes information on how to join the webinar.
Click HERE to register for the orientation.

Agenda
Attendees will gain a greater understanding of OVC’s mission, key grant award documents, the terms and conditions of your award, the obligation to comply with federal requirements, and available grant and victim services resources.
This orientation is mandatory for all FY 2024 OVC grantees who are receiving OVC funding for the first time, and encouraged for all OVC grantees with FY 2024 awards.
Live captioning will be available.

National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) Effective Management Series: Building Resiliency in Victim Service Organizations
2024-10-28 08:00 - 17:00
The mission of NVAA is to provide an intensive, interactive learning experience to develop and promote professional skills and knowledge for victim service providers. The Effective Management Series offers comprehensive and practical trainings to build organizational capacity. Building Resiliency in Victim Service Organizations is designed for staff within victim-serving organizations who are able to implement resiliency practices in their organizations. This training will provide a resiliency model and explain how it can be applied to organizations. Potential barriers will be identified, along with strategies to overcome them.
Application opens on October 28, 2024. Join the OVC TTAC mailing list to be alerted when registration opens for future NVAA trainings.

NAVAA Annual Meeting
2024-12-12 13:30 - 15:00
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEscO6oqjkuGNS8EEwkvRcrW1HvSGq9K3hi
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) Leadership Institute
2024-12-13 08:00 - 17:00
The mission of NVAA is to provide an intensive, interactive learning experience to develop and promote professional skills and knowledge for victim service providers. The Leadership Institute is designed for victim service administrators and leaders who wish to enhance their leadership skills and abilities. Participants will learn theoretical concepts and practical skills to lead their organization, team, or workgroup more effectively.
Applications for the first cohort of 2025 will be accepted beginning December 4, 2024. Join the OVC TTAC mailing list to be alerted when registration opens for this session and future webinars in this series.

Best Practices for Providing Victim Services to American Indians and Alaska Natives
2024-12-18 14:00 - 15:30
On December 18 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 Tamara Fife and Melissa Riley on “Best Practices for Providing Victim Services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.”
There can be many challenges in providing victim services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including jurisdictional complexities, cultural barriers, historical trauma, and resource disparities. What are some best practices that have been used successfully to provide effective victim services to this population?

It’s easy to participate:
1. Register and submit your questions in advance.

2. Log into the session at the time of the event.
3. Engage with the experts as they answer your questions.

Register Here

Featured Hosts

Tamara Fife

Tamara Fife (Chickasaw) is the Tribal relations director for the Washington State Department of Health, where she leads agency-wide priority projects with 29 Tribal Nation partners, coordinates the resolution of barriers Tribal constituents encounter in the agency, and acts on behalf of the Secretary of Health on emergent issues in Indian Country.
Since 1995, she has supported victim service providers to build strong and successful financial grant management systems and trauma-informed programs and policies. She is passionate about contributing her time and efforts to the safety and well-being of the Tribal and rural communities where she lives and works. Ms. Fife leads community-based participatory strategic planning and evaluation initiatives, always building from the strength and resilience within communities. She has a deep understanding of the capacity building and resource development challenges of diverse groups thriving in the margins of the mainstream. She works with their governance bodies and staff to assess their capacities and community assets—and then helps them write plans to build relationships across their constituencies to sustain their common missions to serve victims of crime.
She collaborates with community members to develop trauma-informed program planning and policy initiatives tailored to their unique cultural nuances, which result in culturally relevant and responsive victim services. She is actively engaged in national and state policy development, advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of crime and contributing to the long-term well-being of her community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Public Health.

Melissa E. Riley

Melissa E. Riley (Mescalero Apache), Ph.D., is the owner and principal of Native Community Development Associates, LLC, of New Mexico, and a consultant to national, state, and Tribal agencies and public and private organizations. Dr. Riley has managed federal projects for OVC grantees, including the national Counseling and Faith-Based Services for Crime Victims in Indian Country Training and Technical Assistance and the Children’s Justice Act Partnership in Indian Country Training and Technical Assistance grants. She developed curricula for the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Community Health Workers, Gallup Indian Health Services, the University of Texas at Arlington, and others. She developed sexual assault protocols, behavioral health/social service, and other Tribal multidisciplinary policies and procedures that enhance victim service response and increase prosecution. She helped revise curricula and train recipients of Tribal Justice System Planning Grants from the Department of Justice.
Dr. Riley developed and implemented wrap-around services for Tribal programs in communities impacted by alcohol/substance abuse, crime, and other social issues. She is a direct service provider for several New Mexico Tribal communities, providing counseling, social work, home evaluations, guardian ad litem services, and family conferencing facilitation. She teaches Tribal social work courses at New Mexico Highlands University and early childhood and bilingual education courses at New Mexico State University. She is currently the director of the Native American Social Work Studies Institute at New Mexico Highlands University, conducting research and developing courses.

OVC’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) provides training to support professional development, enhance services to the community, and expand outreach to underserved victims of crime.
Sign up for the OVC TTAC mailing list and be the first to learn about trainings, events, and technical assistance resources.

OVC shares your mission and has a wide range of resources to help you accomplish it. Visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) online to register for services or to find out more.

National Stalking Awareness Month
2025-01-01
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.
View the Back to Basics video on Protective Orders.
Visit the Webinar Recordings page to view the Cyberharassment and Cyberstalking recording.

(Posted December 19, 2024)

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
2025-01-01
National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
In preparation for National 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, toolkits, 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 Webinar Recordings page to access the following recordings:

Increasing Community Awareness of Labor Trafficking and
Capacity Building Webinars for Human Trafficking Service Providers webinar series.

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 19, 2024)

Panel discussion commemorating the 10th anniversary of the OVC “Faces of Human Trafficking” video series
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:30
Over the past decade, the Office for Victims of Crime’s (OVC) Faces of Human Trafficking video series has played a pivotal role in raising awareness, educating the public, and highlighting the tireless efforts of those combating human trafficking.
Register for a special panel discussion commemorating the 10th anniversary of this series featuring Suamhirs Guzman, Evelyn Chumbow, and Jeri Williams. These lived experience experts who appear in the series will be joined by Lindsay Waldrop of OVC’s Human Trafficking Division and Josie Heyano from the OVC-funded Survivor Engagement Training and Technical Assistance Project to reflect on the progress made over the past decade and discuss a path forward for similar products in our collective fight against human trafficking.
For more information, click here.

Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of OVC’s “Faces of Human Trafficking” Video Series
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:30
Attendees of this event will hear about the pivotal role the video series has had in raising awareness, educating the public, and highlighting the tireless efforts of those combating human trafficking over the past decade. Additionally, panelists will discuss a path forward for similar products in our collective fight against human trafficking. For more information, click HERE.

OVC From the Director's Desk
2025-01-09 14:00 - 15:00
During this monthly briefing, OVC Director Kristina Rose will update the field about OVC programs and initiatives and share OVC ideas to advance the field to improve options, access, and information for all crime victims and survivors. For more information, click here.

Join OVC for a Webinar About the New Human Trafficking Programmatic Data Dashboard
2025-01-14 14:00 - 15:30
SAVE THE DATE:
Save the date for a special webinar offering a first look at the FY 2023–2024 Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Human Trafficking Performance Measurement Tool Data Dashboard.
During this webinar, the OVC Performance Management Team will explore the importance of transparency and the nuanced role that data plays within the anti-trafficking field. Using the dynamic and interactive features of the dashboard, the presenters will showcase recent grantee data to provide context to OVC’s focused work in supporting all victims of human trafficking.
Title: Transparency Through Data: OVC’s Human Trafficking Programmatic Data Dashboard
Date: January 14, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. eastern time
This webinar will also allow attendees to offer feedback and ask questions regarding the dashboard.
Stay tuned! A registration link will be provided soon.

Transparency Through Data: OVC's Human Trafficking Programmatic Data Dashboard
2025-01-14 14:00 - 15:30
During this webinar, the OVC Performance Management Team will explore the importance of transparency and the nuanced role that data plays within the anti-trafficking field. Using the dynamic and interactive features of the dashboard, the presenters will showcase recent grantee data to provide context to OVC’s focused work in supporting all victims of human trafficking. For more information, click HERE.

Developing Effective and Responsive Approaches to Elder Abuse in Tribal Communities
2025-01-17 11:00 - 12:00
This webinar is designed for non-tribal law enforcement professionals and will focus on building more effective relations when working with tribal law enforcement and tribal elder protection teams on elder abuse cases. The webinar will also cover how to serve older Native American adults outside tribal communities. Participants will learn best practices for communicating with Native American elders, and better understand how Native elders may describe their experiences of abuse. Emphasis will be placed on fostering respectful and productive engagement with Native American elders to ensure effective responses. To register, click here.

Strengthening Tribal and Non-Tribal Collaboration To Address Elder Abuse in Tribal Communities
2025-02-14 11:00 - 12:00
February 14 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET
Join this webinar with a panel of Tribal and non-Tribal law enforcement representatives for an in-depth discussion on recognizing and responding to elder abuse in Tribal communities. This webinar will enhance collaboration among law enforcement, adult protective services, and other agencies to improve relationships and develop a coordinated response. Key topics include building strong community partnerships, forming multidisciplinary teams, and establishing Tribal Elder Protection Teams. Participants will also explore strategies for working within jurisdictional challenges and fostering a united effort to address elders across Tribal and non-Tribal boundaries.
To register, click here.
OVC’s Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) provides training to support professional development, enhance services to the community, and expand outreach to underserved victims of crime.
Sign up for the OVC TTAC mailing list and be the first to learn about trainings, events, and technical assistance resources.

Sustaining Your Program's Capacity To Serve Victims
2025-03-10 08:00 - 17:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Sustainability is the capacity of a program or organization to accomplish long-lasting success and stability by establishing the organization or program as an essential service to victims and the community. Victim service organizations and programs need to plan for sustainability in order to continue providing high-quality services to victims of crime. The Sustaining Your Program’s Capacity To Serve Victims training addresses 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. For more information, click HERE.

The Science of Hope: An Introduction for Victim Service Providers
2025-03-12 13:00 - 14:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Hope has emerged as one of the top protective factors leading to well-being. This Center for Victim Research workshop will discuss the science of hope as a psychological strength in our ability to cope with adversity and trauma. This workshop will summarize over 15 years of research that show (1) hope predicts positive outcomes, (2) hope buffers the effects of adversity, and (3) hope can be influenced and sustained. Dr. Hellman’s published research has demonstrated that hope promotes outcomes for survivors and is an important contributor to staff well-being. For more information, click HERE.

Special Considerations for Deaf Victims of Crime
2025-03-20 12:00 - 14:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Deaf individuals in the United States face domestic or sexual violence rates equal to or higher than hearing individuals but often encounter systemic barriers and challenges when seeking help. This webinar will explore working with Deaf crime victims, such as victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and financial crimes. Language and communication methods in the Deaf community and the societal impact of audism will be examined. Information on “For the Deaf by the Deaf” programs and other resources benefiting Deaf victims in their communities will also be shared. For more information, click HERE.

Webinar: Succession Planning for Victim Services
2025-03-26 14:00 - 15:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details.*
Succession planning in victim services is essential for ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of organizations that support crime victims. The Succession Planning webinar will discuss the process involved in preparing for leadership transitions to maintain the organization’s mission and operations.
In victim services, succession planning helps organizations remain resilient and responsive to the community’s needs. It involves identifying potential leaders within the organization and preparing them for future roles. This preparation can include training, mentorship, and opportunities for professional growth.
For more information, click HERE.

NOVA Community Gathering: Building Compassion, Resilience and Excellence in Times of Uncertainty
2025-03-27 13:00 - 14:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details.*
Join NOVA on March 27, 2025; 2pm-3pm ET for our monthly community gathering.
Free and open to the public, we use this time to connect as we all navigate uncertainty together. Joined by experts in the field, each month, we will focus on different topics to support the victim services community. This month, Katharine Manning will discuss how we can work as a community to build compassion, resilience, and excellence, even in times of uncertainty.
These events are not recorded, nor are there CEUs for participating. For more information, click HERE.

Overview of the Three Centers Often Created in the Aftermath of Mass Violence Incidents
2025-03-27 14:00 - 15:30
In the aftermath of many mass violence incidents (MVIs), local, state, national, Tribal and Federal leaders collaborate to create three Centers that identify and address the many needs of victims, survivors, first responders and the community-at-large:

Friends & Relatives Center (FRC)
Family Assistance Center (FAC)
Resiliency Center (RC)

While each Center and its services are unique to the impacted community, national guidance and protocols have been created that can help communities plan for the most critical components of each Center, which can be easily adapted to a specific community and MVI. This National Town Hall will provide an overview of each Center; resources available to help support them; and the continuum of services that are provided across the implementation of each Center. For more information, click HERE.

BOLO: Mental Health Concerns for First Responders
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:15
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Mental health is a topic gaining popularity in the first responder world – the “suck it up, buttercup” mentality is being flipped upside down. Understanding mental health concerns for first responders is crucial because of the regular exposure to critical incidents and other stressors that can have profound psychological impacts. Common concerns among first responders include Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), suicidality, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders, which can significantly affect their well-being and job performance. Participants will learn to identify early signs of mental health struggles within first responder populations, explore effective stress management and coping strategies, learn about wellness check-in programs, and become familiar with treatment options.
If you would like more information, please click here.

Celebrating Communities: Honoring NCVRW Across the Country
2025-04-07 12:00 - 14:00
NOVA joins the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) and National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) for a special, virtual kick-off for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW)! This 1-hour event will highlight how communities across the country are observing #NCVRW2025 and elevating this year’s OVC theme, Connecting < KINSHIP > Healing. Three NCVRW Community Awareness Projects (CAP) will be featured and advocates from these communities will share their dynamic projects and ideas for raising community awareness of victims’ rights. For more information, click HERE.

The OVC VOCA Center - April Roundtable for VOCA Compensation Administrators
2025-04-08 14:00 - 15:00
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Administrators will have the opportunity to network and build relationships with their peers, discuss successes and challenges that will guide future training and technical assistance themes and topics. For more information, click HERE.

Practical Mindfulness for Criminal Justice Professionals
2025-04-08 15:00 - 16:15
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
Criminal justice professionals are busier than ever, and many are feeling overwhelmed. You may have heard of mindfulness and wondered what it offers. Or perhaps you know what mindfulness is, but you are looking to reinvigorate or begin a practice. The good news is mindfulness isn’t another item for your to-do list. Instead, it’s a shift in perception, one that can be enhanced skillfully to reduce stress on and off the job.
For more information, click HERE.

Behavioral Aspects of Human Trafficking
2025-04-15 12:00 - 13:15
*This is not a NAVAA-hosted event. Please see the registration page for contact details*
This webinar series will provide an in-depth overview of human trafficking. Webinar attendees will gain an understanding of how human trafficking occurs and how victims are recruited/conscripted. The roots of human trafficking will be examined along with the current situation. An analysis of laws governing human trafficking will be explored. A comprehensive study of the scope of human trafficking in the United States will be provided along with an examination of indicators of human trafficking.
For more information, click HERE,
