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Join OVC in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Congress passed VOCA in October 1984 based on findings from the President's Task Force on Victims of Crime and the work of victim advocates. VOCA created the Crime Victims Fund, which is financed by fines and penalties paid by offenders.

On November 18, 2009, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will present a Web Forum discussion on best practices for working with victims of gang violence with Jeffrey Bergman, a detective in Fairfax County Police Department’s Youth Services Division Gang Unit, and Pamela Kelly, a victim advocate in Fairfax County Police Department’s Victim Service Section.

November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November 2009)

In observance of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, OVC will hold a Web Forum on November 4, at 2 p.m. ET, on Serving Elder Abuse Victims in Indian Country. To assist American Indian victims, service providers, and allied professionals, OVC offers links to multiple resources, including:

• Related organizations.
• Relevant publications.
• Training information such as the Tribal Victim Assistance Training and Technical Assistance Newsletter.
• Grantees addressing the needs of Counseling for Crime Victims in Indian Country.

U.S.  Department of Justice Web Site  Has a New Look (November 2009)

Visit the Department of Justice Web site to view the new look and layout emphasizing justice news, blogs, and resources. In the new DOJ Action Center, visitors can find help and information for crime victims, including:

• Victim notification services.
• Victim/witness complaint procedures.

National Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment Survey (November 2009)

OVC's National Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment Survey was developed to assess the needs of the victim services community. OVC encourages all victim service professionals to complete the online survey. Your input is vital in developing and designing new training opportunities. Register now and receive resources to help meet your identified needs.

Training for Victim Service Providers (November 2009)

Apply now for National Victim Assistance Academy V, to be held February 28-March 5, 2010, in Portland, Oregon. Continuing education units will be awarded to participants who complete all of the requirements from one of these tracks:

• Foundation-Level Training.
• Professional Skill-Building Institute.
• Leadership Institute.

The application deadline is February 5, 2010.