2024 Georgia Victim Assistance Academy Tier B Experience

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is hosting its Applied Georgia Victim Assistance Academy (GVAA) in Athens, GA in partnership with the Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s Family Violence Conference on August 25-28, 2024. 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 an 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.

ADVANTAGES:

The GVAA training team includes professionals who are widely recognized in Georgia as leaders in their fields. This year, our team is expanding to include several GVAA alumni. Many on our training team are the same professionals who speak at victim services conferences around the country and administer some of the best-run programs in the state. With their guidance, Tier B participants engage in scenario-based learning opportunities to sharpen their advocacy and listening skills.

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. Applicants who complete all prerequisites by the application deadline will receive priority in the selection process.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • Proof of certification that you have completed (or will complete) prerequisite coursework
  • Certification that you will participate in the mandatory 3-hour orientation/pre-Academy webinar session (during the week of August 19th) for selected participants prior to the Academy
  • Certification that you will attend and complete the full course of instruction
  • Commitment by participant and/or employing agency to cover unpaid meals, mileage, parking fees, and any other reimbursable expenses not covered by CJCC

ONLINE APPLICATION:

Please be prepared to provide the following:

  • Referral Letter – This letter should be from the applicant’s supervisor on agency letterhead explaining how it is expected that this training will benefit the applicant, the employing agency, and victims served by the agency.
  • Resume – Please attach a current resume documenting work history and education.
  • Prerequisites:
    • Certificate of Completion for Victims Compensation 101
    • Certificate of Completion for Trauma 101 and Brain 101 through Georgia State University’s Child Welfare Training Collaboration
      • Offered on-demand as one course (Trauma/Brain 101)
      • Offered virtually and in-person each month as separate courses
    • Transcript or Certificates of Completion for all 54 VAT Online modules through OVC TTAC – Badges and excel formatted documents will not be accepted

APPLICATION PERIOD:

Applications are now being accepted. Click here to begin. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, July 29, 2024, by noon. There are no exceptions.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Up to 25 applicants will be selected. Staff will email all applicants and their supervisors on or before Monday, August 5th 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, August 5th with the link to officially register and agency agreements. Selected applicants will have until 5 pm on Thursday, August 8th to confirm attendance and complete the online registration.

Note: Unconfirmed placements will be filled by applicants who have indicated willingness to be an alternate.

WHEN & WHERE:

The Academy will be held from Sunday, August 25, 2024, through Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at The Classic Center located at 300 N Thomas Street in Athens, Georgia.

COST:

There is no registration fee, and hotel accommodations will be paid on behalf of participants. Breakfast will be provided on August 26th-28th, and lunch will be provided on August 26th and 27th. However, participants and their agencies are responsible for mileage, parking fees, and all other meals during the Academy. 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 any group activities.

Note: There are no scholarships available. 

Click here to begin the application.

 

CONTACT

Victim Assistance Project Coordinator: Kyra Jones
[email protected]
470-633-8477