Indiana Victim Assistance Basic Academy

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and the Domestic Violence Network have partnered to create the Indiana Victim Assistance Training Project. The Project’s mission is to develop and provide a comprehensive, accessible, diverse and affordable training series that is available to all professionals who serve victims of crime in Indiana.

The Indiana Victim Assistance Basic Academy is an entry level training that takes place over three weeks and provides 40 hours of content through webinar and classroom attendance. It is open free of charge to anyone who provides direct services to victims of crime and has held that role for less than three years.

To make the Academy accessible to all students, it will be held three times at varying Ivy Tech Community College regional campuses. The first

Program Dates: September 11 -28, 2017 Indianapolis

April 9-26, 2018 *

June 11-28, 2018 *

* A location in northern and southern Indiana still to be confirmed.

Topics: The History of Crime Victim Services

Victim Rights law

Navigating the Criminal Justice System

Ethics & Professional Behavior

The Impact of Crime on Victims

Direct Services to Victims

Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence

Serving Victims of Sexual Assault

Civil Protective Orders

Communication with Victims & Survivors

Child Victims

Assisting Victims with Disabilities

Developing Community Partnerships

Victim Compensation, Notification and the Sex Offender Registry

Elder Abuse

The Impact of Crime on Advocates

Cultural & Spiritual Competency

Human Trafficking

Building Resilience

Applications are now being accepted for the September Academy. Please read the academy description, expectations and requirements carefully before applying.

Academy Description

The September Academy begins on Monday September 11, 2017 and runs through Thursday September 28, 2017.

Students will be participating in an educational session on each day of the program. One day per week, students will travel to an Ivy Tech campus for a full day of in-person, classroomsessions and will participate in webinars on all other days. There is no cost to attend the Academy but please note no housing or mealsare provided.

Classroom Days

The in person classroom sessions will be held at the Ivy Tech Lawrence Campus on the North-East side of Indianapolis. The in person days will be Thursday September 14, Thursday September 21, and Thursday September 28. Each day will begin at 8:00 a.m. EDT and end shortly before 5:00 p.m. EDT. Please plan travel accordingly.

Webinar Days

Students should reserve 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. each day for the webinar portion of the academy.During this time students should be treated as if they were not physically in the office. Webinars will begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT and will conclude by 11:00 a.m. EDT. There are days where the webinars will not take the full 2 hours, however,students may be given a homework assignment or activity to complete during the remainder of the time. Any homework assignment or activity will be completed during the 2 hour webinar window. After 11:00 a.m. students will be free to return to work and will not have any other Academy involvement until the nextday.

Expectations

Students are expected to fully participate and complete all sessions. During webinars, students are expected to give full attention to the presentation and not accept phone calls or complete additional work during this time. Should an unforeseen circumstance arise that would prevent attendance, students should notify the program coordinator immediately.

Employers and supervisors are expected to support the student’s participation in the Academy by ensuring their attendance at all session. Employers and supervisors are expected to treat the student as if they arenot in the office nor available from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on webinar days.

Requirements

The Academy is open to anyone who is in a position of direct services to victims of crime and has been in that role for less than three years. Attendance and participation in all sessions is required to complete the Academy. No partial credit will be given and anyone who fails to timely complete the modules may be asked to leave.

Application, Deadlines & Acceptance

To apply for the Academy complete the Student Application and Employer/Supervisor Certification. Both documents must be submitted together to be considered for the Academy.Applications may be submitted by email to or by fax to 317-917-3695.

Only a limited number of students may be accepted for the course. If applications exceed the available slots, priority will be given to students based on their direct service to victims, years of experience and whether their agency receives VOCA funding. The number of applications submitted by an agency may also be considered.

The application deadline is August 22, 2017. Participants will be notified of acceptance by August 31, 2017. Please direct any questions or concerns to Suzanne O’Malley at .

The Victim Assistance Training Project is supported under VOCA Grant No. 2015-VF-GX-0045awarded to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute by the Office on Victims of Crime.

Student Application- September 2017

Name: ______

Organization: ______

Title:______Length of time in position: ______

Mailing Address: ______

Email Address: ______Phone: ______

Have you held other positions that provide direct service to victims: Yes/ No

If yes please list those positions: ______

Describe how you currently serve victims: ______

List the county/counties that your organization serves:______

______

Describe your organization by selecting from the following list:

  1. Provider who serves primarily underserved populations
  2. Court
  3. Domestic Violence Shelter
  4. Child Advocacy Center
  5. Mental Health Organization/Provider
  6. Other Nonprofit Victim Service Provider
  7. Forensic/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
  8. Law Enforcement Agency
  9. Prosecutor’s Office
  10. Other ______

Does your organization receive VOCA funding? Yes/ No

I have read the academy description, expectations and requirements. I understand that the Academy is a 3 week course which requires daily participation. I commit to fully participating and completing all of the sessions.

Student Signature ______

Employer/Supervisor Certification

I acknowledge that ______has applied to attend the Indiana Victims Assistance Basic Academy September 11-28, 2018 and does so with my support. I have read the academy description, expectations and requirements. I understand that the Academy is a 3 week course which requires daily participation. I will strive to ensure ______is able to attend all classroom sessions and will not be assigned work from 9:00-11: 00 a.m. on webinar days .

______

Employer/Supervisor

Please email or fax the completed application and accompanying Employer/Supervisor certification to Suzanne O’Malley at or fax number 317-917-3695.