2008 OVC News and Announcements Archive
Here you will find information about past training sessions, NCVRW activities, and other crime victim services and awareness efforts during 2008. To view an announcement, click on its title below. To view current announcements, visit the main News and Announcements page.
Use the links below to be taken to the News and Announcements Archives.
Current News | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
Assess Your Training and Technical Assistance Needs
OVC is pleased to announce a new online Training Self Assessment Tool to assist you and your organization in identifying and assessing your training and technical assistance needs in seven major categories.
The self assessment tool is available 24 hours a day from any Internet-accessible location, and allows you to save your progress and return at a later time to complete the seven topical assessments at your leisure.
Access the OVC Training Self Assessment Tool to receive a printable summary of your responses and a list of available resources.
## 12/02/08 ##
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Apply Now To Attend the National Victim Assistance Academy
Registration for the National Victim Assistance Academy has closed.
The next National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) will be held March 1–6, 2009, at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas area.
The NVAA offers three distinct tracks tailored to the needs of each participant:
- Track 1, Foundation-Level Training, is for entry-level professionals and volunteers who have less than 3 years of experience in the victim services field and who work directly with victims;
- Track 2, Professional Skill-Building Institute, provides specialized training on timely, specific topics that directly affect providers’ work;
- Track 3, Leadership Institute, helps victim service administrators develop and refine their skills and abilities.
Participants are now eligible to receive Continuing Education Units for their attendance and completion of Tracks 1, 2, or 3.
Sign up for the mailing list to receive NVAA updates and application information.
## 10/09/08 ##
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National Crime Victims’ Service Awards: Call for Nominations
If you know someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help significantly improve the lives of crime victims, OVC invites you to recognize that individual by nominating them for the prestigious 2009 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards. The outstanding service providers, allied professionals, and crime victims and survivors who receive awards will be honored at the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2009, one of the prelude events to National Crime Victims’ Rights Week—25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act, April 26–May 2, 2009.
The eight award categories are:
National Crime Victim Service Award
Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services
Special Courage Award
Allied Professional Award
Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award
Volunteer for Victims Award
Crime Victims Fund Award
Federal Service Award
Visit the National Crime Victims’ Service Awards Web sitefor award descriptions, submission guidelines, and instructions on how to complete the convenient Online Nomination Form, as well as a sample Abstract and Nomination Form, and the biographies and accomplishments of the 2008 award recipients. The deadline for Online Nominations is October 10, 2008.
## 09/12/08 ##
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Enroll Now for Identity Theft Training
Registration for this workshop has closed.
OVC invites you to register now for Identity Theft: Supporting Victims’ Financial and Emotional Recovery, October 8–9, 2008, in San Diego, California. This 2-day training workshop is designed to teach advocates how to assist victims in self-advocacy and how and when to intervene effectively in the recovery process.
Attendees will learn about 20 types of identity theft and the special needs of each situation, as well as the realities and impact of identity theft; federal, state, and other resources for identity theft victims; the role of victim service advocates in assisting victims of identity theft, and much more.
Visit OVC’s Training Schedule to learn more about this and other workshops offered in 2008, and to register and pay online.
## 08/08/08 ##
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VictimLaw.Info Celebrates First Anniversary
OVC invites you to visit VictimLaw, a free, user-friendly, searchable database of more than 15,000 victims’ rights statutes that has provided assistance to more than 7,000 visitors since its debut in April 2007.
Developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime with funding from OVC, VictimLaw houses constitutional amendments, court rules, attorney general opinions, case law, and administrative code provisions for federal, state, and tribal governments. Users can search the site by topic, keyword, jurisdiction, and citation. The site also features a legal glossary and an explanation of the criminal justice process.
For additional information, visit the VictimLaw Web site.
## 05/15/08 ##
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FTC Cautions Consumers About Tax and Rebate Scams
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice are warning consumers about emails and phone calls from scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The IRS does not gather information for rebates by telephone. Nor does it send unsolicited e-mail to taxpayers about tax account matters. Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form.
Similarly, if you get an email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the IRS that asks you to call a phone number or email back your personal information, don't click on any links. Forward it to phishing@irs.gov, and then delete it. Clicking on a link in an unsolicited email carries risks of spyware, pagejacking, and phishing—threats that can lead to the theft of your identity. The only official IRS Web site is located at www.irs.gov.
Visit OnGuardOnline.gov/phishing for more information about phishing scams.
## 05/01/08 ##
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Funding Available to Improve Outreach and Services to Crime Victims
 The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is seeking new applicants for funding assistance under the Helping Outreach Programs to Expand (HOPE) Grant Program!
Through its HOPE grant awards, OVC will provide up to $10,000 each to grassroots community- and faith-based victim service organizations and coalitions to help them improve their outreach and services to crime victims.
Funds may be used to—
- develop programs.
- aid networking.
- build coalitions.
- deliver services.
This work may include, but is not limited to, developing program literature, training advocates, producing a newsletter, supporting victim outreach efforts, and recruiting volunteers.
Download the HOPE brochure (PDF 335 kb) or order a copy online (BC 000742).
For details on how best to present the application requirements, consult the template for submitting a HOPE request (98 PDF kb).
If you have questions about the HOPE Grant Program, please call Kisha Green or Shadine Stultz at 202-307-5983. ## 04/17/08 ##
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OVC Announces the 2008 NCVRW Award Recipients
On Friday, April 11, 2008, the Attorney General's Crime Victims' Service Awards were presented at the NCVRW Awards Ceremony to honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service for victims of crime. A reception was held immediately following the ceremony. View biographies and photos, and pictures from the ceremony.
## 04/14/08 ##
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Enroll Now for 2008 Training Workshops
OVC is pleased to offer specialized training workshops that are sure to enhance your capacity to better serve crime victims.
The 2008 Training Schedule features popular established workshops such as Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma (registration closed) and Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training (registration closed), as well as new workshops on Supporting Children Living with Grief and Trauma (registration closed) and Enforcing Victims' Rights (registration closed).
Class size is limited to ensure an interactive learning environment and workshops are expected to fill quickly. Don't miss this excellent opportunity to build your practical technical skills and knowledge of victim service issues!
Visit the OVC Training Schedule to learn more about each of the workshops offered in 2008, register and pay online, or download the OVC Training Schedule Registration Form to enroll by mail.
OVC Professional Development Scholarships are now available for Training Schedule workshops. View the eligibility criteria for scholarship applications.
## 04/01/08 ##
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OVC Prepares to Commemorate NCVRW 2008
National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) is held each April to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf. Prior to the national commemoration held April 13–19, 2008, OVC will host two prelude events in the Nation's Capital.
The National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony will be held Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. (e.t.), at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to commemorate NCVRW and pay tribute to crime victims and survivors. The featured speaker will be Dominick Dunne, an accomplished author; investigative journalist; host of TruTV's Power, Privilege, and Justice; and covictim and homicide survivor of his beloved daughter, actress Dominique Dunne. No registration is required for this event.
On Friday, April 11, 2008, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. (e.t.), the Attorney General's Crime Victims' Service Awards will be presented at the NCVRW Awards Ceremony to honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service for victims. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony. An RSVP is required for this event; space is limited.
In honor of the 28th observance of NCVRW, download the 2008 NCVRW screensaver to promote awareness of crime victim issues and as a reminder that justice for victims means justice for all.
For more information about this year's prelude events, visit www.ovc.gov/ncvrw.
## 03/20/08 ##
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Helping Teen Victims of Dating Violence
In recognition of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week (February 4–8), OVC will host a Web Forum discussion on best practices for responding to teen victims of dating violence. Join guest hosts Mitru Ciarlante, Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime's Teen Victim Initiative, and Barri Rosenbluth, Director of SafePlace's Expect Respect dating violence prevention program, on February 27, 2008, at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion.
OVC also offers links to related organizations that assist teen dating violence victims, service providers, and allied professionals.
To learn more about this issue, visit the National Center for Victims of Crime's Teen Victim Project, which recently launched a new Web training series, and view past sessions online, including a Webinar on Teens and Stalking.
## 02/22/08 ##
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 Now Available Online: 2008 NCVRW Resource Guide
National Crime Victims' Rights Week—Justice for Victims. Justice for All—will be observed April 13–19, 2008.
To assist you with your planning for the week, OVC has released its annual NCVRW Resource Guide, developed to help communities and victim assistance providers promote awareness of crime victim issues and observe NCVRW.
The kit includes—
- Sample press materials.
- Camera-ready art files in color and black and white.
- 2008 NCVRW Theme DVD: Justice for Victims. Justice for All.
- Customizable public awareness posters.
- Statistical overviews and resources.
- And more.
For more information about 2008 NCVRW, visit www.ovc.gov/ncvrw.
## 01/10/08 ##
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 Help Raise Awareness About Stalking
January is National Stalking Awareness Month. In recognition of this serious and deadly crime, OVC offers publications and links to related organizations to assist stalking victims, service providers, and allied professionals. Visit the OVC Web Forum to view the January 9 discussion on Assisting Victims of Intimate Partner Stalking hosted by Michelle Garcia, Director of the Stalking Resource Center at the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), for tips on how to help the more than 1 million women and nearly 400,000 men who become the victims of stalking in America each year.
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), with the assistance of several bureaus and offices within the Office of Justice Programs, has also compiled several resources and publications related to intimate partner stalking. Visit OVW's Public Awareness Campaign Web site for more information.
To learn more about this issue and download prevention and awareness materials, visit the NCVC Stalking Resource Center.
## 01/10/08 ##
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