"I was changed this week, because of the place, the organization, incredible speakers, the knowledge." -SVAA student

The Oregon State Victim Assistance Academy provides comprehensive, academic-based, fundamental education for victim service providers and allied professionals who routinely interact with victims of crime. The curriculum includes courses covering the scope of victim services, and has been enhanced to address issues that are unique and specific to Oregon. The Oregon Academy has partnered with Clackamas Community College for course approval of the curriculum, and hence, Clackamas Community College provides four transferable college credits for Academy participants, free of charge.

In 2004, almost 100 Oregon victim services providers wrote the Academy's participant training manual and a facilitator's guide. The participant training manual and the Academy course incorporate the use of adult learning methods. The 40-hour course and manual includes basic training for victim service providers desiring to further their knowledge. Generally the Academy is offered in the Portland or valley area one year, and in rural Oregon in alternate years.

Application to the Academy is made through a formal submission procedure: the Academy application can be found by clicking on "SVAA Applications" on your left. The Crime Victims' Assistance Network appointed a Standards & Certification Committee to develop attendee selection criteria, which is designed to assure diversity in those participating in the Academy. The Academy is not supported by grant funds; therefore a fee is charged for attendance.

The Standards & Certification Committee also established a voluntary certification process for Oregon Victim Service Providers, including a "grand-parenting" process. In accompaniment with the Certification Process, the Committee also developed a "Standards and Ethics" model for Victim Service Providers. Certification information can be found on this website on the CVAN Certification page.

The Crime Victims' Assistance Network gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance from the Office for Victims of Crime. The State Victim Assistance Academy is supported by Grant Number 2002-VF-GX-K023, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington , D.C.

More SVAA Student Feedback:

"I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for what I can only call the most comprehensive training I have ever had the pleasure of attending. I have worked in the field of Victim Services with women and children for more than 20 years now. I have attended many, many trainings. I walked away from the Academy with new knowledge, and affirmation of old knowledge as well. It is inspiring to find a program that excludes nothing, motivates the attendees and provides us with tools to do the best work possible in a field that is so challenging for ourselves and our clients. 'Thank you' seems inadequate."

"I want to thank you for the opportunity to attend the State Victim Assistance Academy . Not only did I learn much, (but) I also had a great time and met many people I hope to run into again in my journey."

"I would like to say that this was probably one the best---if not the best---training I have been to. Thank you for your hard work and dedication in making this week such a grand success for myself and everyone in attendance."

Attend the Next SVAA

The next SVAA academy will be held in the Spring of 2011. Details will be forthcoming as soon as possible.

For further information please email: Debra Bridges or Laura Moller

Scholarship available to CVAN members, please contact: CVAN President Debra Bridges for details.