Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Academy?
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
- Offer a comprehensive, academic-based curriculum to enhance the quality of victim services.
- Meet the foundation-level training needs of a wide range of victim service providers and allied professionals.
- Enhance the social service, criminal justice, medical, and mental health networks necessary to ease the trauma of crime.
Who is eligible to attend? To be eligible for selection to attend the Academy, candidates must:
- Complete the application
- Serve in a paid and/or volunteer position having direct contact with victims of crime in New Jersey
- Have fewer than five years' experience working and serving victims of crime
- Agree to attend all eight sessions
When will it be held and where?
The Academy sessions will take place every Wednesday (except for July 4th and Thursday, July 26th) for eight weeks, on the following dates: May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, and 26, 2012. Each session begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
What will it cost?
The cost of attending the Academy 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.
How can I receive an application for the 2012 NJVAA?
Please see our section entitled Application Information to download a copy.
Can I receive Continuing Education Hours?
The Office of Continuing Education provides continuing education hours for New Jersey social workers, teachers and licensed professional counselors. For workshops offered to the general public through the Office of Continuing Education, the certificate charge is embedded in the individual workshop fee. The NJVAA training will provide 32 CEHs, an additional charge of $60 will be required from participants who need to obtain CEHs.
I'm pursuing my NJ Domestic Violence Specialist Certification. Can the Academy training hours transfer over to the certification?
The NJVAA 40-hour credits can be applied towards the NJ Domestic Violence Specialist Certification.
How do I receive my certificate?
Participants receive a certificate upon successful completion of all Academy sessions.
What if my agency can't fully fund my registration fee?
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.
https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/HowWeCanHelp/dspPDscholarship.cfm What are the cancellation procedures?
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.