The Georgia Victim Assistance Academy is Back for 2016!

CJCC is hosting the 2016 Georgia Victim Assistance Academy in Marietta, GA on July 10th–15th. The Georgia Victims Assistance Academy (GVAA) is a comprehensive, skill-based training experience for crime victim advocates, and for those who serve crime victims in a range of victim services programs. The overarching goal is to improve the quality and consistency of victims’ services in Georgia. The training weaves core concepts and best practices together in ways that encourage a victim-centered, multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to supporting those whose lives have been impacted by crime. By cultivating academy participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes, we hope to build the capacity of our communities to recognize, respect and respond to the needs and experiences of crime victims in our state.

The last time CJCC and our partners were able to offer this academy was in 2008. It was a huge success then, and through an OVC discretionary training grant we are happy to say we are BRINGING BACK the Georgia Victim Assistance Academy!

The Academy is designed for advocates with fewer than three years experience in the victim services field (advocates with more experience are welcome to apply). It’s 40 hours of experiential practice, aka “baseline victimology” full of mini-lectures, large group discussions, and practical small-group exercises. Offered once a year at Kennesaw State University in Marietta, the Academy will be limited to 50 participants who will live and learn on campus for a week during the summer vacation period.

GVAA IS A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE
The Academy offers an immersive experience. Participants move onto campus for a week; they study, eat, relax, and learn together. The academy offers a different approach to the traditional classroom experience. The lunch periods and evenings are usually devoted to learning exercises such as role playing, court dramas, discussions, and small group activities. The academy truly is a life changing experience. While some participants discover their life's mission, others chart out a lifelong career path, and some have even made lifelong friendships.

ADVANTAGES
The GVAA training team includes professionals who are widely recognized in Georgia as the leaders in their fields. Your 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.

Other benefits include:

• An OVC-recognized curriculum that is both comprehensive and effective for practitioners;
• A training experience designed by experts to address advocacy requirements, based on training needs analysis;
• Small group breakouts, projects and exercises to apply what you learn; and
• An opportunity to learn more than you could ever have imagined in a just few short days.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
The Academy is for those who work as victim service advocates across the state of Georgia. Long-term volunteers will be admitted with the hearty support of their Program Supervisor.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Certification that you have completed (or will complete prior to attendance) the Victim Assistance Training (VAT) online course offered by the Office for Victims of Crime's (OVC) before July 10, 2016;
• Certification that you will complete the full course of instruction;
• Commitment by your agency to pay a modest fee of $200 which cover the cost of registration, lodging, and meals for the entire academy.

ONLINE APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS

• Personal Statement – In 500 words or less (two pages, double-spaced), describe how the academy will benefit you, your organization, and your community. Include any additional information that you believe is important for the participant selection committee to consider when evaluating your application
• Referral Letter – This letter should be from your supervisor on agency letterhead explaining why the selected advocate or volunteer has been chosen to attend the Academy
• Resume – Please attach your resume documenting your education & work history.
• Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Certificate of Completion – Attach one pdf file of the certificates of completion for modules 1-50. If you have not completed the modules prior to June 3, 2016 all selected candidates will have until July 8, 2016 to submit their certificates of completion.

SELECTION PROCESS
All applications will be reviewed by members of the GVAA Selection Committee. The Committee will select the 50 applicants to be admitted into the Academy. Applicants will be notified by June 15, 2016.

WHEN IS IT, & WHERE?
The Academy will be held from Sunday, July 10, 2016 through Friday, July 15, 2016 at Kennesaw State University on its Marietta campus located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, Georgia 30060. All participants will reside in a dormitory and will check in on Sunday afternoon.