***2009 Academy May 31-June 05***
***Brookland Banquet & Conference Center***
***SAVE THE DATE***

Welcome to the South Carolina Victim Assistance Academy (SCVAA) web site.  The SCVAA is designed to train and equip crime victim service professionals with current and applicable information.  South Carolina's crime victims deserve no less than excellent services provided by victim advocates who are well-trained and knowledgeable about the many services our state offers to victims of crime.  This training will also qualify you to apply for the National Advocate Credentialling Program (NACP). 

SCVAA is a collaborative project between the Office of the Governor, State Office of Victim Assistance, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network.  Originally, the academy was funded by a grant from the Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime to produce a state-wide, academically-based training designed to teach practical skills to front line service providers in South Carolina.  Currently, the academy is partially funded through a grant from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs (State Victim Assistance Program #1W09023).  We are grateful for their support. 

The Academy objectives include:

• offering comprehensive, academic-based curriculum to enhance the quality of victim services.
• meeting foundation level training needs of a wide range of victim service providers and allied professionals.
• enhancing the social services, criminal justice, medical and mental health networks necessary to ease the trauma of crime.

Be sure to visit the SC Victims Assistance Academy portion of the web-site to learn more about who should attend, where and when the academy will be held, and the application process.  Feel free to post our "Save the Date" material in your office or e-mail to anyone you think might be interested. 

There are some scholarship funds available through OVC TTAC (Office for Victims of Crime, Training and Technical Assistance Center).  Please follow the link for information on how to apply.  You MUST apply 45 days prior to the training event, or by April 16th.  Hope to see you at the Academy May 31st-June 5th, 2009!