What’s Next for State Victim Assistance
Academies?
NAVAA2014 VOCA National Training Conference
August 19-21, 2014
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Overview
Vision 21 and the SVAA
Where Are We Now – SVAA Successes and
Challenges
SVAA Assessment and Survey Findings
Where Do We Go from Here with VOCA Partners
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Build and institutionalize capacity through an infusion of technology, training, and innovation to ensure that the field is equipped to meet the needs of crime victims in the 21st century.
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SVAA PurposeProvide comprehensive, academically-based, fundamental education and training for victim assistance service providers, victim advocates, criminal justice personnel, and allied professionals who routinely deal with crime victims.
• Establish an SVAA in every state to provide foundation-level education/training for victim assistance providers and allied professionals
• Encourage victim assistance course of study in colleges and universities nationwide
• Integrate victim studies into post-secondary curricula• Create certificate and/or degree programs
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Shared Vision, Shared Values
A network of state victim assistance academies meets the evolving needs of the growing field of crime victim services professionals and allied professionals, using evidence-informed curricula to forward best practices and ensure culturally competent service delivery to all victims of crime.
-SVAA Strategic Plan, Vision
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Evolution of the SVAA network 1998 – co-sponsored state-level academy in Michigan
1999 – PILOT - Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
2000 – Vermont
2002 – Arizona, Maine/New Hampshire, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon
2003 - Georgia, Illinois, New York
2004 – California, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee
2005 – Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Washington
2006 – Arkansas, District of Columbia, Iowa, Virginia
2007 – New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, West Virginia
2008 - Alabama, Alaska, Oklahoma
2011 - Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin
2012 – Kansas, Montana, Nevada
2013 – South Dakota
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SVAAs by the numbers
42 States, Puerto Rico, and the District of
Columbia have received OVC funding
7 states, 4 territories unfunded
South Dakota – 2013 – first 5 year award
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SVAA Current Grantees
Year 1 – Planning and Development
◦South Dakota
Year 2 – Implementation Launch
◦Kansas, Montana, Nevada
Year 3 – Replication
◦ Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin
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Vision 21 Issue Area
Role of the crime victims field in the overall response to crime … knowledge of crime victimization, underserved victims, and enforcement of victims rights
SVAA Value: Competency
Best served by those with the basic skills and knowledge to assist in the aftermath of a case.
Evidence-informed curricula.
Forwards best practices and standards
Cultural competencyState specific
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Vision 21Issue Area
Building capacity in the crime victims field to better serve victims of crime … addressing infrastructure issues, lack of data and research, access to technology, framework of VOCA.
SVAA Value: Collaboration
Academy is developed, operated and sustained through a spirit of collaboration at the local, state and federal level.
Academic partner brings research perspective.
Blended learning extends delivery of core curriculum.
VOCA key collaborator
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Evolution of the SVAA network 1998 – co-sponsored state-level academy in Michigan
1999 – PILOT - Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah
2000 – Vermont
2002 – Arizona, Maine/New Hampshire, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon
2003 - Georgia, Illinois, New York
2004 – California, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee
2005 – Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Puerto Rico, Washington
2006 – Arkansas, District of Columbia, Iowa, Virginia
2007 – New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, West Virginia
2008 - Alabama, Alaska, Oklahoma
2011 - Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin
2012 – Kansas, Montana, Nevada
2013 – South Dakota
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Strong VOCA Partner Post-OVC Funding
ArizonaArkansasDistrict of ColumbiaIdahoIllinoisLouisianaMaine/New
HampshireMarylandMichigan
MassachusettsMinnesotaOregonRhode IslandTennesseeTexasUtahVirginia
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Vision 21 Issue Area
Enduring Challenges – addressed barriers and issues that preclude effective service provision to victims that have been a traditional focus of the field.
SVAA Value: Excellence
Needs assessment identifies core competencies, state gaps and challenges
Instructors proven to be effective, drawn from the field and academia.
Training material high quality – piloted and replicated.
Delivery methods use adult learning principles, mentoring.
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Vision 21Issue Area
Emerging challenges crime victims field has yet to address. Addressed innovative responses to issues such as changing demographics, impact of globalization, advances in technology, cybercrime, environmental crimes, and rise of crimes such as human trafficking and identity theft.
SVAA Value: Innovation
Resources continue to evolve to meet growing needs.
Embrace use of technology for blended learning
Add advanced academies for depth.
Adjust to the new climate without losing site of the vision.
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Schedule
Most basic academies use a 3-5 day model
RI and NJ weekly over a span of 1-2 months
Advanced academies use a 1-3 day model
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Blended Learning Models
VAT Online
Required vs
recommended
reading
Colorado – 5 days/20 hours
Illinois – 3 days /16 hours
Iowa – 27/13Oklahoma – 5.5/40Pennsylvania -18 hrs/4
hrs plus employer 8 hours
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Variations on time and place
Texas – 4 in 5 years
Kansas – 4 in two years
Rhode Island – weekly – 8 weeks
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Academy Success Stories
The Massachusetts experience
Meeting the vision – growing the field
Endicott College Campus
Key Academy Components
Residence assignments - reinforce cross-
discipline/system relationships
Opening – grounding in history & growth of
Victims Movement
Teambuilding/Self-Care Activities
Mentor Groups
Poster Presentations - research
Evaluations – Quantitative & Qualitative
Student Self-Defined Outcomes
93% of participants Strongly Agreed with the
statement “MVAA has given me a better
understanding of the importance of building and
strengthening collaborations with other providers
and agencies.”
96% of participants Agreed or Strongly Agree
with the statement “MVAA has given me a better
understanding of how my individual work
impacts the victim’s overall experience.
Student Self-Defined Outcomes
100% of participants Agreed or Strongly Agreed
with the statement: “MVAA has given me a
better understanding of the victim's experience
across systems.”
100% of participants would recommend MVAA
to another victim service provider.
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Feedback/Input From VOCA Agencies
What successes have you had?What challenges have you had?
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Vision 21 Challenges
Service providers struggle to maintain basic services and ...
Lack the resources and capacity to extend assistance to crime victims from marginal populations and to victims of new types of crime.
SVAA Challenges
Sustainability a key issue as states struggle to offer core curriculum needed to provide minimum level of victim services.
21 out of 44 academies funded
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Allocation of Resources Prioritizing Resources for SVAA
Line item funding –
MD, TN (ND, WV)
Victims of Crime Act
(VOCA) Funding (9)
Victim Compensation
Funds
Justice Assistance Grants
(JAG) Recovery Funds
Tuition and fees
Sex Offender
Registration Fees
Racketeer Influenced
and Corrupt
Organizations (RICO)
funds
Foundations
State and local
agencies
Book sales
Sustainability Plans Now in Use
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Key to success Strategic Plan Built
Grant years build an
infrastructure
that supports
sustainability.
Broad stakeholder
support
Meaningful
academic partner
presence
Engaged steering
committee
Sustainability More than Funding
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Key to success
Engaged
steering
committee
One of the most common elements of success!
Sustainability in Infrastructure
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Vision 21 Challenges
Integration of research and evaluation into victim services practice
Defining scope and impact of victimization, especially in emerging crimes such as human trafficking and online financial and sexual exploitation
SVAA Challenges
Meaningful engagement of academic partner
Curricula gets outdated, and lacks rigor envisioned
Advanced academies delve deeper into new crimes, but basic academies feel need to address
Service models in development or not available
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Vision 21 Challenges
Technology, globalization, and changing demographics are driving societal change, but the victim assistance field lacks the resources to develop a comprehensive and forward-thinking strategy for serving crime victims in the 21st century.
SVAA Challenges
Re-envisioning the SVAA to meet today’s learner and environment.
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Leadershipto fulfill the VISION …
CollaborationCommitment to
excellenceInnovationServing victims with
competency
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FY 2014 OVC SVAA Assessment
Reinvigorate SVAA Initiative
How can SVAAs continue to meet the fields’ evolving training needs?
Action Plan focus:◦Funding Level◦Training Delivery◦Update SVAA Model
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FY 2014 OVC SVAA Assessment
Funding Level Objective Considerations
Allocate adequate resources to implement a state victim assistance academy
Current costs to run an academy
Number of training events required
Blended learningProgram
RequirementsQuality of training
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SVAA Network Survey
36 academies included in SVAA network (not all active)
15 questions
Response Period: July 9-30, 2014
22 responses received
Additional follow up planned
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Staff Funding Sources:
Grants
◦ VOCA
sub-grants/contracts
◦ OVC SVAA grants
Volunteer/in-kind
Academy fees
State government
Fundraising
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Number of instructors used for each academy ranges
from 4 to 30
Majority responded that instructors are paid
Some instructors are only paid travel (mileage and
hotel when needed)
Some instructors are volunteers
OVC TTAC request used to pay instructors to deliver a
specific course
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Instructors fill multiple roles
◦ Course Instruction
◦ Curriculum Development
◦ Mentors
◦ Training Evaluation/Assessment
◦ Logistics (marketing, registration, sign in, creating
certificates)
◦ Facilitators
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Majority did not have an established student teacher
ratio
Number of students targeted for each academy
ranged from 25 to 70
Majority are holding basic academies
Advance academies not held as frequently
Some are conducting combined academies, meaning
basic academy with some advanced courses offered
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Majority of academies charge registration fees
Amount ranges from $50 to $490
Used to cover:
◦ Lodging
◦ Food/refreshments
◦ Training supplies
◦ Instructor salaries/expenses
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Majority of responses indicate academies do
not pay for meeting space
Meeting space donated by academic partner
Of those that pay for meeting space, the
expense is covered by registration fees
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Majority responses indicate that lodging is provided
for students, faculty and staff
Partial funding for lodging offered by some
academies for students
Some academies offer full scholarships (tuition &
lodging)
Some academies only offer lodging to faculty staff
on as needed basis
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SVAA Network Survey
Preliminary Results
Refreshments
Meeting Space
Lodging
Volunteers/Staff
Assistance
Audio-Visual Equipment
Student Scholarships
Technical Assistance
Teleconferencing Services
Copying Services
Receptions
Graduation Ceremonies
Speakers
Support provided by program partners:
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Fulfilling the Vision:
Building something that lasts!
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Feedback/Input from
VOCA Agencies
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Professional Development Scholarships
Training by Request
Customized Training and Technical Assistance
SVAA Learning Community
Post-Secondary Education Curriculum Kit & Teaching
Materials
OVC Resource Center
OVC Program Manager
Other SVAAs
OVC & OVC TTAC Resources to Support SVAA Network
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Presented by:
Sharron FletcherSVAA Program Lead
Office for Victims of [email protected]
(202) 305-2358
OVC TTAC SVAA Technical Assistance Consultants:
Karen [email protected]
(512) 775-4534
Kevin Becker [email protected]
(781) 856-1252