Revised Consolidated Victim Service Program Standards and 'Changes" Page

On November 14^th, 2023, the Victims Services Advisory Committee approved several updates to the OVS Consolidated Standards as well as updates to the ‘Changes’ page found within the Consolidated Standards. The updates affect the following standards:

Ethical Standards for Victim Services Program Staff

The first update involves the Ethical Standards for Victim Services Program Staff, specifically section 2.07 Harassment in that required sexual harassment training for program staff, students, trainees, and colleagues shall occur every two (2) years, as needed.

Collaboration With Community Agencies

The update to the Collaboration with Community Agencies standard reiterates the importance of collaboration with other agencies within the service area to effectively manage common issues victims face and to enhance service provisions.

Court Orientation

The Court Orientation standard has been updated to include the expansion of court orientation responsibilities to include victims, witnesses, family members, and significant others.

Systems Advocacy

Updates to the Systems Advocacy standard expand upon the many systems/networks crime victims interact with where victim service providers must be a meaningful part of these systems to improve responses, including active participation with marginalized groups and communities.

Victims' Rights Notification

The final revision is the update to the Victims’ Rights Notification standard. This update reiterates timely and accurate rights notifications to victims and emphasizes ongoing communications with relevant parties for information and support.

All Victim Services Programs who have OVS as their oversight entity will be required to submit updated policies and procedures relevant to the newly updated standards to include Collaboration with Community Agencies, Court Orientation, Systems Advocacy, and Victims’ Rights Notifications for programmatic monitoring visits beginning January 1^st, 2024.

In addition to updates to several standards, the ‘Changes’ page within the Consolidated Standards has also been updated. This page now highlights which standards have been updated, a brief overview of the updated information within the standard, when the change was approved by VSAC, and the date which the policies and procedures relating to the standard will be reviewed in programmatic monitoring. 

Inquiries regarding these updates may be directed to Heather Cureau, OVS Program Supervisor, by emailing hcureau@pa.gov or by calling 717.265.8712.

PCCD Announces $3.5 Million Grant To Address Gun Violence And Behavioral Health Crises

These funds – which are coming to Pennsylvania through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden after the Buffalo and Uvalde mass shootings – will support evidence-based, community-focused efforts to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who serves as PCCD chair.

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From Healing To Action: A Toolkit For Gun Violence Survivors And Allies

Part One is devoted to the emotional needs survivors face. Part Two offers suggestions for how to get involved in saving lives from gun violence

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Sign Up For The 2024 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Poster Mailing

Sign up for the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) subscription list by Monday, November 27, 2023, to receive a complimentary print copy of the 2024 NCVRW Poster Kit. 

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First Test Of Biden's New Gun Violence Prevention Office

The Oct. 25 shootings at a bowling alley and nearby bar were the first test of the administration’s new office, set up in part to better coordinate federal help for a community dealing with the aftermath of gun violence.

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Supreme Court Set To Hear US V. Rahimi

The Supreme Court will consider whether the government can deny access to guns for those placed under a domestic violence protection order. The stakes of Rahimi’s case pit the safety of domestic violence victims against the nation’s broad Second Amendment rights.

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Minority College Sexual Assault Victims Rely Less On Peers For Support

Sexual assault victims often tell a friend about their experiences before anyone else. But according to a new study, college students from minority groups are less confident that their peers would support them.

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Emergency Departments Overwhelmed By Young Patients With Mental-Health Concerns

While anxiety, depression and other mental-health conditions started to climb among children before Covid, they soared during the isolation and disruption of the pandemic. The increased demand for treatment exacerbated a shortage of available mental-health services. This has left desperate families pouring into emergency departments that legally can turn no one away, reported The Wall Street Journal, in a piece that documents a day in a Syracuse, NY emergency room.

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Professional Development Scholarship

OVC is offering Professional Scholarships for service providers to attend trainings and conferences to grow their skills. Eligible applicants include service providers from any organization, public, nonprofit, or faith-based, who provide direct victim services within the United States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Scholarship funds are available for reimbursement of expenses of up to $1,000 for individuals, $1,500 for individuals traveling to or from the contiguous United States, and $5,000 for multidisciplinary teams. 

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Children And Domestic Violence: Listening And Talking To Your Child About Domestic Violence

Provides parents with information on how to talk to children about domestic violence. This fact sheet discusses the importance of listening and talking to children about domestic violence.

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Funding Opportunity : 2024 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Community Awareness Projects

To support your organization’s awareness efforts during NCVRW on April 21–27, 2024, apply for NCVRW Community Awareness Projects funding. Successful applicants will be reimbursed up to $5,000 in costs associated with public awareness campaign activities during NCVRW, including—

• public events, such as candlelight vigils, resource fairs, and 5k walks or runs;
• mass media advertising; and
• the production, publication, and distribution of printed awareness materials.

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KCIT’s Group Crisis Intervention (GCI) is a secondary response that addresses the gap that exists in-between traditional trauma services offered. After a tragic event, first responders leave and a community may then be left on its own to navigate their path forward. KCIT can address large numbers of people at a time to help a community come together and to start to tell the story of what happened and connect them to necessary resources and services.

During a GCI a group is led by a facilitator through a series of questions using time progression—starting in the past, present, and then future. Questions aim to help participants sort through their experience of the event, sensory impact, reactions, and what they continue to hold as a result of the trauma. The group process assists in restoring connection and the feeling that “I am not alone” in my suffering. It is important to understand that a GCI is not therapy and is a onetime intervention.

Length: 12 hours total

Cost: Provided at no cost! Funding made possible by PCCD

Format: Virtual and offered in four 3 hour sessions

Dates: Four Tuesdays 

• November 21, 2023
• November 28, 2023
• December 5, 2023

Time: 10:00- 1:00 PM

(Must attend all sessions to receive KCIT Certification and be present with camera on)

Questions?: Contact Melissa McDermott at Melissa@novabucks.org

Please click here to register.

PennCAC is offering an ongoing opportunity for CAC professionals and their MDT partners to gain ongoing CSEC education through CSEC OFFICE HOURS. 

Office hours are offered twice per month and are staffed by lived experience experts, lived experience experts offer a powerful voice for change.  

Please click here to register.

Understanding Civil Restraining Orders: Domestic Violence, Extreme Risk Protection Orders, and More

Legal services attorneys play a critical role in decreasing risk for clients struggling with family law conflicts, child custody disputes, domestic violence, threats of suicide, workplace violence concerns, and stalking situations. While current state law varies nationally, federal law and policy in this area plays an important role and both state and local policies help shape options for legal advocates and their clients.

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HAVIN Training

HAVIN will be hosting Lt. Mark Wynn

Monday, December 18, 2023 7:30-3:30

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Human Trafficking Response Academy

NOVA's HTRA is an introductory to intermediate-level course for victim advocates and allied professionals working with survivors of human trafficking.

The HTRA will take place Monday, January 22nd - Thursday, January 25th, 2024 and will be 3 full days and 1 half day of training. Access to Zoom is required for enrollment and participation in the course.

Please click here to register.

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Please click here to view current job opportunities.

Please click here to view current job opportunities.

Please click here to view current employment opportunities.