About Us

New Jersey Victim Assistance Academy (NJVAA)

The New Jersey Victim Assistance Academy (NJVAA) provides a 40-hour, academically based training program that covers a broad array of topics in victims' rights and services. Although the NJSVAA does not offer victim service providers training in their discreet areas of practice, it does provide a comprehensive overview of crime victim services, including victimology, the justice system, advocacy, and victim rights. Participation in the Academy serves as a first level of tiered training.

Academy Objectives

1.  Offer a comprehensive, academic-based curriculum to enhance the quality of victim services.

2.  Meet the foundation-level training needs of a wide range of victim service providers and allied professionals.

3.  Enhance the social service, criminal justice, medical, and mental health networks necessary to ease the trauma of crime.

 

NJVAA Eligibility

To be eligible for selection to attend the Academy, candidates must:

1.  Complete the application

2.  Serve in a paid and/or volunteer position having direct contact with victims of crime in New Jersey

3.  Have fewer than five years' experience working and serving victims of crime

4.  Agree to attend all eight sessions 


Certificate of Graduation

Participants are awarded a certificate upon successful completion of all Academy sessions.

 

Academy Costs and Time Frames

The NJVAA will select approximately 30 candidates representing both disciplinary and geographic diversity to attend the Academy at Rutgers, School of Social Work - Institute for Families in Piscataway.  The Academy sessions will take place once a week for eight weeks.  Each session begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.

The cost of attending the Academy program is $400 per person.  Candidates must submit the $400 fee upon approval of their application and before the sessions begin.  Costs include registration fee, continental breakfast, and all course materials.  Lunch is not provided. 

Academy scholarships are available through OVC TTAC.  To obtain an application, visit the OVC TTAC website at https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/HowWeCanHelp/dspPDscholarship.cfm 

 

Cancellation Policy

One-half of the Academy registration fee ($200) will be refunded until one week before the sessions begin, if you are unable to attend because of unexpected circumstances.