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 CrimeSharron.Fletcher@usdoj.gov

(202) 305-2358

OVC TTAC SVAA Technical Assistance Consultants:

Karen KalergisKaren.Kalergis@gmail.com

(512) 775-4534

Kevin Becker kbtrauma@aol.com

(781) 856-1252

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www.ovcttac.gov

www.ovc.gov