December 2004:

Thank you message from Assistant Attorney General Deborah Daniels to OVC grantees for their early submission of financial reports.

A Holiday Message from Director John W. Gillis.

An OVC-funded women's shelter in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is scheduled to appear on the upcoming Christmas episode of The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces. The program found a clever way to redecorate part of the shelter for free and raise awareness about domestic violence on a national level. To learn more about the shelter's services and contact information, search for the CASA listing on OVC's Online Directory of Crime Victim Services.

See what your colleagues had to say on assisting victims of Drunk and Drugged Driving—the latest online discussion on the OVC Web Forum hosted by Debbie Weir, December 15, 2004. Previous discussions centered on domestic violence (hosted by Prof. Sara Buel) and faith-based victim assistance programs (hosted by Steve Siegel).

November 2004:

The National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), an OVC-funded project, is seeking proposals for workshop presentations at its Fourth Annual Crime Victim Law and Litigation Conference, which is being held June 17–18, 2005, in Portland, Oregon. Proposals are due to NCVLI by December 17, 2004.

OVC will host a Web forum discussion on faith-based victim assistance programs with Steve Siegel on November 30th. Submit your questions for Mr. Siegel today and return for the discussion on Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. e.t.

OVC's forum also will continue to feature messages from last month's discussion on domestic violence, which was hosted by Prof. Sara Buel.

OVC Director announces the Justice for All Act of 2004 (Public Law 108–405) enacted October 30, 2004, which protects crime victims' rights! For more on this Federal victims' rights law, see national victim rights organizations' joint press release: Crime Victim Advocates Applaud Enactment.

OVC funding is available for 60 communities for Community Awareness Projects to support public education and outreach activities during the 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). Application deadline is December 3, 2004.

OVC announces an open letter from OVC Director Gillis on OVC Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2005.

OVC is pleased to announce the availability of Professional Development Scholarships to those who work with victims of crime for continuing education opportunities in the victim services field. Scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 are available through OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC)

October 2004:

OVC funding is available for 60 communities for Community Awareness Projects to support public education and outreach activities during the 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW). Application deadline is December 3, 2004.

OVC announces an open letter from OVC Director Gillis on OVC Program Priorities for Fiscal Year 2005.

OJP-OVC announcement for discretionary grantees: Early filing of SF 269 Financial Status Reports. It is essential that discretionary grantees file their current SF269 5 days early - no later than November 10, 2004 - to assist OJP with critical year end audit activities. SF 269s may be filed on-line at https://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov/. If you have questions about the on-line system, please call OC's Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786 or write to us at "ask.oc@usdoj.gov". This report covers the time period from July 1, 2004, through September 30, 2004.

Join your colleagues for an online discussion with Prof. Sarah Buel about best practices in helping victims of domestic violence. Visit the new OVC Web Forum now to submit questions and return on October 27 at 2 p.m. e.t. for the discussion.

OVC is pleased to announce the availability of Professional Development Scholarships to those who work with victims of crime for continuing education opportunities in the victim services field. Scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 are available through OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC).

Submit your nominations for the 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards and the new Allied Professional Award. Deadline: October 29, 2004.

September 2004:

OVC is pleased to announce the availability of Professional Development Scholarships to those who work with victims of crime for continuing education opportunities in the victim services field. Scholarships of $1,000 to $5,000 are available through OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC).

Visit the new OVC Web Forum, which connects you with a network of service providers sharing best practices and innovative ideas that can help the crime victims you serve. Make connections. Share Ideas. Change Lives.

Submit your nominations for the 2005 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards and the new Allied Professional Award. Deadline: October 29, 2004.

August 2004:

National Crime Victims' Rights Week will be celebrated April 10-16, 2005. Submit your nominations for the NCVRW Awards, including the new Allied Professional Award. Deadline: October 29, 2004.

Register for an OVC-funded online training conference about the abuse of children and adults with disabilities. Scholarships and CEUs are available for the September 9-29 event presented by ARC of Riverside, California.

As a service to the field, OVC is happy to help the American Red Cross announce the September 11 Recovery Program, a grant opportunity for community organizations to address the long-term needs of September 11 victims. Apply to the American Red Cross by September 9, 2004.

With OVC funding, the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) is seeking State Victim Clinic Program Grant Solicitations for establishing crime victim legal clinics to provide direct legal services to victims of felony and violent crimes. Apply through NCVLI only by October 15, 2004.

OVC's online Directory of Crime Victim Services recently received an Award of Excellence in the 2004 Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) Competition. More about this honor.

July 2004:

See recent article on the delay in movement of the Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment while Victims' Rights Bill advances by Steven J. Twist, Esq. , as reported in the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) newsletter.

The National Sheriffs' Association Establishes Standing Committee on Crime Victim Services with OVC funding. Details on its first meeting and insights into OVC's support can be read in SHERIFF magazine (May-June 2004).

June 2004:

OVC acknowledges the 2nd national MADD media award winners for outstanding media coverage of drunk driving and underage drinking. Browse through OVC's topical resources for more on News Coverage and links about Victims in the Media.

OVC remembers President Ronald Reagan for his pioneering efforts in the victims' rights field with a timeline describing his initiatives and an Open Letter from OVC Director Gillis.

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute invites proposals for workshop presentations for the 9th National Indian Nations: Justice for Victims of Crime conference sponsored by OVC to be held December 9-11, 2004. The proposal deadline is June 25, 2004.

New OVC funding is available for four awards of up to $75,000 each to support the planning, development, and implementation of statewide Victims' Rights Compliance programs. Register online on GMS by June 29, 2004; apply by July 6, 2004. Note: Only state agencies may apply.

OVC's faith-based initiative offers $25,000 grants to support crime victims in Indian Country with funding for counseling services. Must register online by May 26, 2004. Application deadline: June 10, 2004.

May 2004:

OVC's Discretionary Mini-Grant Program offers up to 20 awards of $15,000 to only faith-based or community organizations with established crime victim assistance efforts to assist underserved victims of violent crime living in Weed and Seed communities and other high-crime areas. Register online on GMS by June 15, 2004; apply by June 22, 2004.

New OVC funding is available to create Action Partnerships With Membership and Professional Organizations and OVC, to promote linkages between the crime victims' field and a broad array of other disciplines. Up to five awards of up to $50,000 will be given. Register online on GMS by June 1, 2004; Apply by June 10, 2004.

April 2004:

Attorney General John Ashcroft today, April 22, honored recipients of the 2004 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards.

OVC Director Gillis to address the Hispanic Outreach Forum & Law Enforcement Workshop, May 12-13, at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) conference center. This OVC-FTC cosponsored event will promote consumer protection education and enforcement for the Hispanic community.

Visit the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) Web site for updated and comprehensive, quality technical assistance and training resources for victim service providers and allied professionals.

The SART Toolkit cooperative agreement, a $150,000 grant award, is available from OVC to develop and pilot test a community toolkit to help set up and administer a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) program. Register by May 6, 2004; Apply by May 20, 2004.

OVC extends its condolences to John Gillis, Director, Office for Victims of Crime, on the recent loss of his son, John Jr.

March 2004:

OVC offers four $35,000 grants to establish State Victim Assistance Academies (SVAAs) to educate and train professionals who routinely deal with crime victims. Register by April 8, 2004; Apply by May 6, 2004.

OVC invites you to join the Attorney General for the 2nd annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony, to be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hall of Flags.

OVC is pleased to announce the availability of Professional Development Scholarships to those who work with victims of crime.

January-February 2004:

Training scholarships now available through an OVC grant to the National Center for Victims of Crime for up to 125 victim service providers to attend one of NCVC's 2004 Training Institutes. Apply to NCVC by February 13, 2004.

"A Voice for Victims," Director Gillis talks to MADD about working together in the future and OVC's support to organizations helping crime victims, in DRIVEN (Fall 2003).

Funding for Trafficking Victims Services is available. Must register online through GMS by January 20, 2004. Application deadline: February 3, 2004.

HOPE continues—The Helping Outreach Programs to Expand (HOPE) initiative supports community- and faith-based victim organizations with grants up to $5,000.

Featured Resources

December:

Build Knowledge of Victim Rights (December 2004)
Be prepared to help victims by knowing about issues that affect their rights. Review the OVC Legal Series to round out your expertise on the topic and begin preparing for National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2005: "Justice Isn't Served Until Crime Victims Are."

OVC Report to the Nation 2003 (December 2004)
This biennial OVC report summarizes OVC-supported initiatives and accomplishments during Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002. It also features links to the OVC Focus On Series, an indepth look at specific grantee programs.

Raise Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness (December)
Please join your colleagues in the OVC Web Forum on December 15 for an online discussion about best practices for helping victims of drunk and drugged driving. The Office for Victims of Crime Web site also provides a variety of resources for drunk and drugged driving victims, service providers, and allied professionals. To learn more about this issue and supporting a loved one or friend affected by drunk driving, visit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

November:

Victim Services: Promising Practices in Indian Country (November 2004)
This OVC monograph describes promising practices for assisting victims of violence and abuse in 12 Indian Country locations throughout the United States. Contact information is also included.

Building Faith in Victim Services (November)
The Community Chaplaincy Program and Communities Against Senior Exploitation (CASE) Program exemplify OVC's continued support of projects that link the faith community and victim assistance providers. Ongoing funding for faith-based victim services is also available through OVC's Helping Outreach Programs to Expand grant program and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Faith-Based & Community Initiatives. DOJ's faith-based initiative task force also has tools to help programs apply for funding.

October 2004:

Promote Awareness Domestic Violence
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you need help, call 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224), visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline or use OVC's domestic violence links to learn more. In addition, throughout October, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, coordinated by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, is sponsoring activities.

OVC Publishing Guidelines for Print and Web Media (August 2004)
Updated product guidelines for preparing and submitting products and publications are now available. The new edition includes specific directions for writing for the web.

OVC Help Series Now Available in Spanish
(Folletos de la Serie de Ayuda Ahora Estan Disponible en Español)
The Help Series from OVC covers domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse, and six other topics to help victims in crisis.

New Tools Added to Guide for Victims of Crime with Disabilities
An expanded Victims of Crime with Disabilities Resource Guide now offers new tools and services: a searchable resources database, calendar, monthly newsletter, discussion boards, and funding news. This comprehensive resource is made possible by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND).

September 2004:

National Day of Remembrance
On September 25, 2004, the national organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. is sponsoring its annual day in honor of all victims of homicide. OVC provides survivors and covictims of homicide with resources to help them cope with the loss of a loved one.

OVC Publishing Guidelines for Print and Web Media (August 2004)
Updated product guidelines for preparing and submitting products and publications are now available. The new edition includes specific directions for writing for the web.

National Preparedness Month
The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Education and several nonprofit organizations will host a series of events in September to highlight the importance of citizen emergency preparedness. OVC’s Victim Assistance Center and Terrorism resources page offers help to crime victims and communities affected by terrorism or mass violence.

New Tools Added to Guide for Victims of Crime with Disabilities
An expanded Victims of Crime with Disabilities Resource Guide now offers new tools and services: a searchable resources database, calendar, monthly newsletter, discussion boards, and funding news. This comprehensive resource is made possible by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND).

August 2004:

Victim Rights: The Gold Standard (August 2004)
The 30th Annual North American Victim Assistance Conference (NOVA) will be held August 22-27, 2004, in Sacramento, California. Participants will have an opportunity to take the Crisis Response Certification examination and attend OVC's 2-1/2 day Professional Development Institute.

Training in Indian Country (August 2004)
OVC works to enhance the available help for American Indians who are victims of crime by providing funding and training, including district-specific training courses. For more details on this and other opportunities for victim assistance providers in Indian Country, please contact OVC TTAC.

July 2004:

OVC Resources for Grassroots Outreach (July 2004)
The Helping Outreach Programs to Expand (HOPE) offers grants up to $5,000 to grassroots organizations for improving outreach and services to victims of crime. Apply for HOPE funds.

OVC also offers training development for grassroot organizations. Request a Professional Development Scholarship.

Finding Local Victim Services OVC's Directory of Crime Victim Services helps victims find the services they need. More than 6,600 organizations nationwide, including grassroots programs are part of the directory network. Add your program today to help victims access your services tomorrow. Visit. Join. Pass it on.

June 2004:

National Safety Month
(June 2004)
This year's safety issue theme is Crash-free June to draw attention to driving behaviors, such as aggressive driving and drinking, that result in about 120 deaths per day.

Visit the National Safety Council (NSC) for driver safety tips and other safety issues for the road, the home, and work. For tips for Responding to Victims of Alcohol-Related Driving Crashes," visit OVC and read "A Voice for Victims," MADD's interview with OVC Director in DRIVEN magazine.

Victimized on the Road, at Work, on Travel
Learn how OVC works to educate victim assistance providers and facilitate victim assistance for people victimized where they live, work, and travel. Visit links on Workplace Violence and help for victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence.

Read OVC's training fact sheet for details on OVC's primary training activities and visit OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center for the latest on training events and opportunities.

May 2004:

Picture Them Home for National Missing Children’s Day, May 25th
Learn about the power of pictures and their importance in the search for missing children. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children also offers safety tips to better protect children's online lives. Visit their Help Delete Online Predators (HDOP) Web site.

Resources for Helping Child Abuse Victims. OVC offers annotated links to help victims of child abuse, including guidelines on how to respond to Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime.

This Guide from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention includes first-hand insights from parents and details on the Amber Alert.

When Your Child Is Missing: A Family Survival Guide
(May 2004)
May 25th marks National Missing Children's Day, when we remember the victims and draw attention to ongoing efforts to keep our children safe and families cope. Such family assistance includes help from advocates and resources such as this Survival Guide.

Field Guides for Law Enforcement Officers Responding to Victims of Crime
First Response to Victims of Crime describes how to approach and help different types of crime victims. It is available in other languages. A second handbook addressing issues that may arise during the initial contact between officers and crime victims is tailored to meeting the special needs of Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability.

As part of National Police Week, OVC is also featuring a bulletin on Establishing Victim Services Within a Law Enforcement Agency: The Austin Experience, which describes the benefits to both victims and law enforcement officials of incorporating victim assistance staff within law enforcement agencies.

OVC Honors Law Enforcement
(May)
In observance of National Police Week (May 9–15), OVC recognizes the critical role law enforcement officers play in responding to victims of crime and offers related resources. OVC also honors police survivors with links to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., which offers event and related information and Web resources, and Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.

OVC Training News
Visit OVC's Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) Web site for updates on available quality technical assistance and training resources for victim service providers and allied professionals, including continuing education opportunities such as the Professional Development Scholarships.

April 2004:

Help Raise the Collective Voice on Behalf of Crime Victims
(April 2004)
The 2004 National Crime Victims' Rights Week Resource Guide will help communities support victims' rights and promote National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 18-24, 2004). Contents include:

• Victimization statistics
• Sample PSAs and speeches
• Special event ideas
• Contest guidelines
• Camera-ready art files
• NCVRW highlights on DVD
  

Volunteers' Efforts Help Fuel Service Programs
April 18-24, 2004, is also National Volunteer week, a time to appreciate volunteers who generously donate their time to help people and communities faced with pressing problems. Various service programs benefit from the efforts of volunteers, including those that help crime victims; see OVC's Directory of Crime Victim Services.

To find volunteer opportunities in your area, visit www.1-800-volunteer.org, provided by the Volunteer Center National Network and Points of Light Foundation. Or, search the Web for "volunteer clearinghouses" such as VolunteerMatch.org.

March 2004:

Start Planning for National Youth Violence Prevention Week (March)
Each day of the youth violence prevention week will focus on a specific strategy, from conflict resolution to school safety. To learn more about these youth violence prevention strategies, use OVC's resources on School Issues, which describe real-world practices for helping students cope with violence and address the underlying causes of conflict.

February 2004:

Standards for Victim Assistance Programs and Providers Standards Kit (May 2003)
The National Victim Assistance Standards Consortium developed this comprehensive standards kit to help victim assistance providers. The kit includes program, competency, and ethical standards; a compendium of promising practices in professional development; directories of credentialing programs and related standards; and a list of professional development resources.

January 2004:

National Focus on Stalking Victims' Needs (January)
Learn about efforts underway to help victims of stalking. Visit the Stalking Resource Center and OVC's related links pointing to support services for stalking and cyberstalking victims. Publications on stalking, including the newly released 2004 NCVRW Resource Guide, can be used to help educate communities and raise public awareness in this growing area of victimization.

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