Information about the AVAA

The Arizona Victim Assistance Academy (AVAA) is a project of the Arizona Coalition for Victim Services (ACVS) which is a non-profit coalition made up of crime victim service providers. One of the main goals of ACVS is to provide training and networking opportunities to agencies that provide services to crime victims.

2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the AVAA. Arizona has one of the longest running state academies in the nation and has trained over 600 advocates state-wide.

This Basic Academy provides a rare opportunity to work, study and interact with victim service providers from around the state. The number of attendees is purposely kept small so that adult learning techniques can be used to reinforce the information received by the instructors.

Who Should Attend

Any staff, either paid or volunteer, that provides services or interacts with crime victims are encouraged to attend. This includes but is not limited to:

Victim Services Professionals Prosecutors Shelter Staff Law Enforcement Officers Probation Workers Crisis Interventionists

Medical Personnel Social Workers Volunteers who work with crime victims Family Advocacy Center Staff Military Advocates

Scholarships

You can contact one of the following agencies to see if you qualify for one of their scholarships.

ACJC- Arizona Criminal Justice Commission: contact your ACJC coordinator

VOCA – Victims of Crime Act Funds: contact your state VOCA coordinator

OVC TTAC – Office of Victims of Crime: ovcttac.org/taresources/scholarships

APAAC – Arizona Prosecuting Attorney Advisory Counsel (prosecuting agencies only)

You must contact these agencies on your own. AVAA cannot help you secure scholarships.

Possible Funding Sources

You can contact one of the following agencies to see if you qualify for funding for the Academy. You must contact these agencies on your own; AVAA cannot help you secure funding.

ACJC – Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, contact your ACJC Coordinator

VOCA – Victims of Crime Act Funds, contact your state VOCA Coordinator

OVC TTAC – Office of Victims of Crime; ovcttac.gov

2014 Basic Academy Topics

Victims’ Rights Stalking History of Advocacy Drunk Driving Vicarious Trauma Sexual Assault

Criminal Justice System Crisis Response Restitution Child Abuse Domestic Violence

The Basic Academy is intended to provide fundamental information for all crime victim advocates. The Academy is designed primarily for victim service providers who are new to the field of advocacy with approximately one to three years of experience; however experienced advocates may also find the academy beneficial.

Academy Location and Cost

Date: Time:

June 9-13, 2014 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily

Location: Cost:

Desert Willow Conference Center 4340 E. Cotton Center Boulevard Phoenix, AZ 85040 $450 for members of ACVS $500 for non-members

Hotel

AVAA has contracted with the Hilton Homewood Suites at 4750 E. Cotton Center Blvd. The contracted rate is $109 a night excluding tax. To receive this rate you must call 602-470-2100 and mention “Arizona Coalition for Victim Services” by May 12, 2014. The Hotel website is phoenixairportsouth.homewoodsuites.com

Continuing Education Hours

You may be able to earn continuing education credits from the following agencies:

NOVA – National Organization of Victim Assistance, trynova.org – This training meets the training requirements for both the Basic Victim Advocacy and the Military Advocate Certificates.

AZPOST – Arizona Peace Officers Standards and Training Board. www.azpost.gov (This course has been determined to qualify for AZPost continuing training credit).

NASW – National Association of Social Workers. www.naswaz.com

How to Register

Register by going to our website at www.azcvs.net and click on “Trainings” and then “Basic Academy Registration.” You must register on-line even if you are going to pay later by mail.

Payment

You may pay with a credit card by selecting “Pay by Paypal” at the end of the registration form. You do NOT need to have a current Paypal account.

You can choose to “Pay Later by Check” but your payment must be received by May 30, 2014 to reserve your spot.

Checks should be mailed to:

AVAA

P.O. Box 3816

Phoenix, AZ 85030

If you would like to register online and pay by Paypal at a later date, choose “Pay Later by Check”. Then, when you are ready to pay, go to Paypal and click on “Send Money and send it to our email address at avaaacademy@gmail.com. You do not need a Paypal account to pay online.

Refunds

No refunds are available after May 30, 2014.

Questions

Connie Chapman, AVAA Project Director
avaaacademy@gmail.com or call 602-421-9354.

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The Academy is sponsored by Arizona Crime Victim Attorneys Elliot A. Glicksman P.L.L.C. and Sara J. Powell.

“Very professional training. Best training for

Victim Advocacy in the State of Arizona”

~ Previous academy participant