2009 Basic Virginia Victim Assistance Academy
Student Applications Now Available

The Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the University of
Richmond are pleased to announce that they will be co-sponsoring Virginia's
second Basic Virginia Victim Assistance Academy in July 2009.

Virginia is one of 36 states developing or presenting State Victim Assistance
Academies. The Academies are modeled after the National Victim Assistance
Academy; however, they provide state-specific training in victims issues.

The Academy is designed by a multi-disciplinary Steering Committee, which
includes representatives from partners, DCJS and the University of Richmond.
Other committee members include representatives from law enforcement,
prosecution, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, the Attorney General's
Office, the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic
Violence Action Alliance, the Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of
Crime, the Department of Corrections, the Parole Board, Virginia Commonwealth
University, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI, local victim assistance
programs, and crime victims.

BASIC ACADEMY
The Academy provides a 45-hour comprehensive, academic, interdisciplinary and
interactive training program for crime victims services providers, advocates,
allied professionals and others who work with crime victims. The curriculum
provides a foundation of victims services and principles to enable participants
to more effectively help crime victims regain control of their lives.

The curriculum includes presentations on: History of Crime Victims Movement,
Scope of Crime and Impact on Victims, Victims' Rights, Direct Services to
Victims, Domestic Violence and Stalking, Sexual Assault, Crisis Intervention and
Assessment, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Developing Resiliency, Stress
Management, Cultural Competency, Ethics in Victims Services, Communication
Skills, Legal Protections, Financial Remedies, and Collaboration.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND
Victims services providers, allied professionals such as law enforcement
officers, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, volunteers, sexual assault
advocates, domestic violence advocates, victim/witness staff, and other victims
services providers are eligible to apply to attend the Academy.

Individuals with up to three years of experience working with crime victims are
eligible to apply to the Basic Academy. The Academy is open to individuals who
live or work in Virginia and potential students are required to submit
applications to attend the Academy.

Successful applicants will be required to attend all sessions of the Academy,
and will also be required to complete some work prior to the Academy.

This intensive, but rewarding Academy will be held on the campus of the
University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia. The Academy will be held in modern
classroom facilities in a comfortable learning environment. Participants are
strongly encouraged to stay on-site in university housing.

DATES OF THE ACADEMY
The Basic Academy will start at noon on Sunday, July 26, 2009 and conclude early
afternoon on Friday, July 31, 2009. There will be several evening activities
that students are required to attend.

REGISTRATION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS
The regular registration fee for the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy is $500.
Because of a federal grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, however, we are
able to provide $350 scholarships to all 2009 Academy students. Therefore the
registration fee for 2009 will be $150. This fee includes all lodging, meals and
materials for the entire week. Travel costs to and from the Academy are not
included.

There are additional scholarship opportunities that prospective students may
wish to investigate to cover the remaining registration costs and any travel
costs that might be incurred.

A limited number of scholarships for law enforcement officers and victim
advocates are available through DCJS. Students selected for the Academy will be
notified of the application process.

The federal Office for Victims of Crime's Training and Technical Assistance
Center (TTAC) also provides scholarships of up to $1000 to individuals seeking
professional development opportunities. More information and the application
process can be found at www.ovcttac.gov/taResources/scholarship.cfm
<http://www.ovcttac.gov/taResources/scholarship.cfm> . Individuals interested in
applying for TTAC scholarships should apply directly to TTAC.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE ACADEMY
To be considered for admission, interested individuals should submit
applications to DCJS by April 3, 2009.

Applications will be available on February 6, 2009. Successful applicants will
be notified by May 29, 2009.

Student applications are available at
www.dcjs.virginia.gov/trainingevents/victims/VVAapp/index.cfm
<http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/trainingevents/victims/VVAapp/index.cfm>

A pre-academy teleconference for students will be held in July 2009.

CREDIT
DCJS in-service credit, including legal and cultural diversity subject matter
credit, is being requested and will be available for law enforcement officers.

It is anticipated that successful completion of the Academy will make
participants eligible to apply for the Provisional Advocate Credentialing
through the National Advocate Credentialing Program

What 2008 Academy Graduates Say About the Academy
"VVAA was one of the best trainings I have attended in my nine years as a law
enforcement officer."

"I made some lifetime friends and connections at the VVAA."

"The week of intense study empowered me with practical tools to carry home and
implement with the victims that I serve."

"Attending the Virginia Victim Assistance Academy made a huge impact on me,
personally and professionally. I was reminded of the significance of my work as
a service provider and I was re-energized by the passion of not only the
presenters, but also by the other attendees at the Academy."

"The course content, the presenters, the group mentors, the beautiful
environment of the college, and the special attention provided to the students
made the Victim Assistance Academy a huge success. I feel honored and privileged
to have been a part of it!"

"I feel able to effectively assist crime victims of all types thanks to the
diverse curriculum offered at the Academy."

For Additional Information
Please see: www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/VVAA
<http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/victims/VVAA>

Or contact: Patricia Foster at Patricia.Foster@... or (804)
371-8634

Mandie Patterson at Mandie.Patterson@... or (804) 786-3923

Note: This project is supported by Grant No. 2006-VF-GX-K026, awarded by the
Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of
Justice.

February 11, 2009

Mandie M. Patterson, Chief
Victims Services Section
Department of Criminal Justice Services
202 North Ninth Street, 10th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804 786-3923
804 786-7980 (fax)
mandie.patterson@...