GVAA Tier B
The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is hosting its 2nd Applied Georgia Victim Assistance Academy (GVAA) in Forsyth, GA on December 5th – 8th, 2021. GVAA is a comprehensive, skills-based training experience for crime victim advocates and those who serve crime victims in a range of victim services programs. The overarching goal is to improve the quality and consistency of victim service provisions in Georgia. The applied level training (Tier B) provides advocates a safe space to deepen understanding and strengthen skills via guided group scenario analysis designed to challenge and stretch participants. By cultivating academy participants' knowledge, skills, and approaches, we hope to build the capacity of our communities to fully recognize, respect, and respond to the needs and experiences of crime victims in our state.
The Academy is designed for advocates who have completed the Basic GVAA (Tier A) and those who have not completed Tier A but have three or more years of experience in victim service delivery. Tier B is a 24-hour, applied experience focused on small-group exercises to allow participants the opportunity to collaborate, examine, and evaluate trauma-informed approaches, as well as apply concepts and best practices to complex situations with a focus on cultural competence. The Academy will be limited to 25 participants who will live and learn together for four days and three nights at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC).
ADVANTAGES:
The GVAA training team includes professionals who are widely recognized in Georgia as leaders in their fields. Our trainers are the same professionals who speak at victim services conferences around the country and administer some of the best-run programs in the state. Many Tier A trainers will be joined by additional trainers covering specialized areas only offered in Tier B, including Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking; Child Victimizations; and Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation.
WHO SHOULD APPLY:
Graduates of GVAA Tier A and victim advocates with three or more years of experience are eligible to apply for this session. Tier A graduates will receive priority in the selection process.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Certification that you will complete the pre-learning assignments which include approximately 5-6 hours of videos, reading, quizzes, and activities which will provide background information for in-person discussions, scenarios, and activities;
- Certification that you will participate in the mandatory orientation webinar (early-November) for selected participants prior to the Academy;
- Certification that you will complete the full course of instruction; and
- Commitment by you and/or your agency to pay for your meals, mileage, and any other reimbursable expenses not covered by CJCC.
ONLINE APPLICATION:
To complete your application for the 2021 GVAA Tier B experience, click here. Applications cannot be saved and completed later. So, please be prepared to complete the application as well as provide the following in one session:
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Results for the Following Assessments:
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Referral Letter – This letter should be from the applicant’s supervisor on agency letterhead introducing the applicant and three goals for the advocate’s attendance. Consider the following:
* What are the advocate’s role and responsibilities
* What reasons the advocate needs this experience
* How this experience will benefit your agency and your clients -
Resume – Please attach your resume documenting your education & work history.
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Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Certificate of Completion – Attach the transcript showing completion of modules 1-53. Selected candidates will have until October 11, 2021 to submit their certificates of completion. (Note: Tier A graduates since 2016 have all completed this step and do not have to resubmit proof of completion)
SELECTION PROCESS:
The application period will begin on Friday, September 3, 2021, and the deadline to submit applications is Monday, September 20, 2021, by 5pm. There are no exceptions.
All applications will be reviewed by members of the GVAA Selection Committee on a rolling basis. The Committee will select up to 25 applicants. Staff will phone all applicants on or before Monday, October 4th to inform them of their status whether 1) selected, 2) not selected, or 3) placed in alternate status. Selected applicants and their supervisors receive an email on or before Monday, October 4th with the link to officially register, agency agreements, and the list of pre-learning activities. Selected applicants will have until 5 pm on Monday, October 11th to confirm attendance and complete the online registration. Unconfirmed placements will be filled by applicants who have indicated willingness to be an alternate.
WHEN & WHERE:
The Academy will be held from Sunday, December 5, 2021, through Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) located at 1000 Indian Springs Dr. in Forsyth, Georgia. Academy registration will begin at 1 pm. The first meeting will begin at 2 pm. Participants will be able to complete hotel check-in after the end of the session at 4 pm.
COST:
There is no registration fee, and all lodging expenses will be paid on behalf of advocates. However, participants’ agencies should expect to be responsible for mileage, hotel parking fees, and meals during the Academy. CJCC will have funding available for scholarships, as needed. Any confirmed participant who does not show, however, may be responsible for the first night’s lodging expense if no alternate applicant is available. A debit/credit card is required by each participant at check-in for incidentals as room registrations will be in the participant’s name. Rooms are single occupancy.
Participants will be responsible for all costs incurred off-site including group activities.
For more information, please contact Kyra Matthews at [email protected] or by phone at 470-633-8477 or Sherida Lovelace at [email protected].
- Reducing the number of participants selected
- Using a hybrid approach, where participants may elect to attend in-person or virtually
- Postponing Tier B