What’s Next for State Victim Assistance Academies?

1. What’s Next for State Victim Assistance Academies? NAVAA 2014 VOCA National Training Conference August 19-21, 2014

2. 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 Overview

3. 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.

4. 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 SVAA Purpose

5. 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

6. 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 Evolution of the SVAA network

7. 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 SVAAs by the numbers

8. Year 1 – Planning and Development • South Dakota • Year 2 – Implementation Launch • Kansas, Montana, Nevada • Year 3 – Replication • Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Wisconsin SVAA Current Grantees

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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 Evolution of the SVAA network

12. Strong VOCA Partner Post-OVC Funding • Arizona • Arkansas • District of Columbia • Idaho • Illinois • Louisiana • Maine/New Hampshire • Maryland • Michigan • Massachusetts • Minnesota • Oregon • Rhode Island • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Virginia

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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 Schedule

16. 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

17. Texas – 4 in 5 years • Kansas – 4 in two years • Rhode Island – weekly – 8 weeks Variations on time and place

18. Academy Success Stories • The Massachusetts experience • Meeting the vision – growing the field

19. Endicott College Campus

20. 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 Key Academy Components

21. 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

22. 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

23. Feedback/Input From VOCA Agencies What successes have you had? What challenges have you had?

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Key to success Engaged steering committee One of the most common elements of success! Sustainability in Infrastructure

28. 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

29. 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.

30. Leadership to fulfill the VISION … • Collaboration • Commitment to excellence • Innovation • Serving victims with competency

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. Preliminary Results Staff Funding Sources: • Grants • VOCA sub-grants/contracts • OVC SVAA grants • Volunteer/in-kind • Academy fees • State government • Fundraising SVAA Network Survey

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Preliminary Results Support provided by program partners: • Refreshments • Meeting Space • Lodging • Volunteers/Staff Assistance • Audio-Visual Equipment • Student Scholarships • Technical Assistance • Teleconferencing Services • Copying Services • Receptions • Graduation Ceremonies • Speakers SVAA Network Survey

42. Fulfilling the Vision: Building something that lasts!

43. Feedback/Input from VOCA Agencies

44. 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

45. 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

46. www.ovc.gov www.ovcttac.gov