What’s Next for State
Victim Assistance
Academies?
NAVAA
2014 VOCA National Training Conference
August 19-21, 2014
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
2
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.
3
SVAA Purpose
Provide 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
4
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
Shared Vision, Shared Values
5
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
6
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
7
SVAA Current Grantees

Year 1 – Planning and Development
◦ South Dakota

Year 2 – Implementation Launch
◦ Kansas, Montana, Nevada

Year 3 – Replication
◦ Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin
8
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 competency
State specific
9
Vision 21
Issue 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

10
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
11
Strong VOCA Partner
Arizona
 Arkansas
 District of Columbia
 Idaho
 Illinois
 Louisiana
 Maine/New
Hampshire
 Maryland
 Michigan

Post-OVC Funding
Massachusetts
 Minnesota
 Oregon
 Rhode Island
 Tennessee
 Texas
 Utah
 Virginia

12
SVAA Value:
Excellence
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.
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.

13
Vision 21
Issue 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.

14
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
15
Blended Learning
Models

VAT Online


Required vs

recommended

reading


Colorado – 5 days/20
hours
Illinois – 3 days /16
hours
Iowa – 27/13
Oklahoma – 5.5/40
Pennsylvania -18 hrs/4
hrs plus employer 8
hours
16
Variations on time and place

Texas – 4 in 5 years

Kansas – 4 in two years

Rhode Island – weekly – 8 weeks
17
Academy Success Stories

The Massachusetts
experience

Meeting the vision –
growing the field
18
Endicott College Campus

Residence assignments - reinforce crossdiscipline/system relationships

Opening – grounding in history & growth of
Victims Movement

Teambuilding/Self-Care Activities

Mentor Groups

Poster Presentations - research

Evaluations – Quantitative & Qualitative
Key Academy Components

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.
Student Self-Defined Outcomes
Feedback/Input
From VOCA Agencies
What successes have you had?
What challenges have you had?
23
Vision 21 Challenges
SVAA Challenges
Service providers
struggle to maintain
basic services and ...
Sustainability a key
issue as states struggle
to offer core curriculum
needed to provide
minimum level of
victim services.
Lack the resources and
capacity to extend
assistance to crime
victims from marginal
populations and to
victims of new types of
crime.
21 out of 44 academies
funded
24
Sustainability Plans Now in Use
Allocation of Resources

Line item funding –
Prioritizing Resources for SVAA

Registration Fees
MD, TN (ND, WV)

Victims of Crime Act


Organizations (RICO)
Victim Compensation
Funds
Justice Assistance Grants
funds

Foundations

State and local
(JAG) Recovery Funds

Tuition and fees
Racketeer Influenced
and Corrupt
(VOCA) Funding (9)

Sex Offender
agencies

Book sales
25
Sustainability More than Funding
Key to success
Grant years build
Strategic Plan Built

support
an infrastructure
that supports
Broad stakeholder

Meaningful
academic partner
sustainability.
presence

Engaged steering
committee
26
Sustainability in Infrastructure
Key to success
Engaged
steering
committee
One of the
most
common
elements of
success!
27
SVAA Challenges
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

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
28
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.
29
Leadership
to fulfill the
VISION …




Collaboration
Commitment to
excellence
Innovation
Serving victims with
competency
30

Reinvigorate SVAA Initiative

How can SVAAs continue to meet the fields’
evolving training needs?

Action Plan focus:
◦ Funding Level
◦ Training Delivery
◦ Update SVAA Model
FY 2014 OVC SVAA Assessment
31
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 learning
 Program
Requirements
 Quality of training
FY 2014 OVC SVAA Assessment
32

36 academies included in SVAA network
(not all active)

15 questions

Response Period: July 9-30, 2014

22 responses received

Additional follow up planned
SVAA Network Survey
33
Preliminary Results
Staff Funding Sources:

Grants
◦ VOCA sub-

State government

Fundraising
grants/contracts
◦ OVC SVAA grants

Volunteer/in-kind

Academy fees
SVAA Network Survey
34
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
SVAA Network Survey
35
Preliminary Results

Instructors fill multiple roles
◦ Course Instruction
◦ Curriculum Development
◦ Mentors
◦ Training Evaluation/Assessment
◦ Logistics (marketing, registration, sign in, creating
certificates)
◦ Facilitators
SVAA Network Survey
36
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
SVAA Network Survey
37
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
SVAA Network Survey
38
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
SVAA Network Survey
39
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
SVAA Network Survey
40
Preliminary Results
Support provided by program partners:

Refreshments

Technical Assistance

Meeting Space

Teleconferencing Services

Lodging

Copying Services

Volunteers/Staff

Receptions
Assistance

Graduation Ceremonies

Audio-Visual Equipment

Speakers

Student Scholarships
SVAA Network Survey
41
Fulfilling the Vision:
Building
something
that lasts!
42
Feedback/Input
from
VOCA Agencies
43
OVC & OVC TTAC Resources to
Support SVAA Network

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
44
Presented by:
Sharron Fletcher
SVAA Program Lead
Office for Victims of Crime
Sharron.Fletcher@usdoj.gov
(202) 305-2358
OVC TTAC
SVAA Technical Assistance Consultants:
Karen Kalergis
Karen.Kalergis@gmail.com
(512) 775-4534
Kevin Becker
kbtrauma@aol.com
(781) 856-1252
45
www.ovc.gov
www.ovcttac.gov
46