FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February, 2002:  
Contact: Linda Kroencke, (877) 748-NVAA

Eighth National Victim Assistance Academy
Slated for June, 2002








Washington, D.C. - The eighth National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) is scheduled for June 23 - 28, 2002 at three concurrent sites: California State University, Fresno in Fresno, CA; Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC; and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Sponsored by the Victims' Assistance Legal Organization, with support from the Office for Victims of Crime within the U.S. Department of Justice, the NVAA is the nation's premiere education program for professionals and volunteers who assist victims of crime, and who have between one to five years experience.

The rigorous, 40-hour academic-based course curriculum addresses 38 topical areas, and emphasizes foundations in victimology; victims' rights and services throughout the criminal and juvenile justice processes; and cutting-edge developments in the field of victim assistance. An interactive, skills-building course of study includes lectures, experiential exercises, working and discussion groups, faculty mentoring groups, and self-examinations, with compressed video technology utilized to link the three NVAA sites into one student body. A mid-week presentation on terrorism and mass victimization, featuring OVC Director John Gillis and a panel of experts, will be broadcast live via satellite to the three Academy sites and will be available for downlink across the country to all interested victim service organizations.

The NVAA faculty includes the nation's leaders in direct victim services, allied professions, and academia. Each university site will have a team of faculty-in-residence to guide the learning experience and mentor students.

The $575 all-inclusive tuition fee includes all course materials, housing, and meals for the entire week. Academic credit at both the undergraduate and graduate levels is also available from several co-sponsoring universities for a nominal fee.

Since 1995, over 1,600 students representing all fifty states, four American territories and six foreign countries have completed the NVAA. Graduates include system- and community-based victim service providers, criminal and juvenile justice professionals, mental health professionals, agency administrators, and allied professionals seeking to improve victims' rights and services.

Approximately 300 students will be selected to participate in the 2002 Academy, so space is limited. Applications for the 2002 NVAA are available from VALOR by calling toll-free (877) 748-NVAA, or (703) 748-0811 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; or by e-mailing Linda Kroencke. It is also available on line at www.nvaa.org. The application deadline is Friday, April 5, 2002. For additional information, please contact VALOR at either of these numbers or e-mail address.