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Vermont Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA)

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Registration for the 2025 Vermont Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA) is now open!

About the Vermont Victim Assistance Academy (VVAA)

The VVAA is an introductory educational opportunity designed to improve the quality and consistency of victim services in Vermont. This course integrates core concepts and best practices that encourage a victim-centered, multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to supporting those whose lives have been impacted by crime. By cultivating participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes, we build the capacity of our community to recognize, respect and respond to the needs and experiences of crime victims, affected parties and communities in our state.

Benefits For Participants

The VVAA strives to be a transformative learning experience for new and seasoned professionals. After completing all Sessions, the participants will have a "toolbox" containing the following:

  • Working knowledge of the criminal justice system and alternative responses to crime
  • Effective communication skills
  • Sensitivity to victims of crime
  • “Lenses” for identifying root causes of oppression
  • Understanding of the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence
  • A wide variety of collaborative skills to best serve crime victims
  • Analysis of crime prevention and systems improvement
  • An extensive collection of resources and referral options
  • Action plans for post-training work
  • CEUs, Academic Credit, Advocate Credentialing Program

Benefits To Supervisors and Organizations

The VVAA is a high-quality, collaborative training with the mission of energizing participants and improving services to victims of crime throughout Vermont. This course has benefits not just its participants, but also the agencies, organizations and communities in which they are involved. By completing this course, the goal is to enhance organizational efficacy, quality of services provided, and the relationships cultivated in communities. 


Some of these benefits are:

  • Trauma-informed and victim-centered practices
  • Responsiveness to victims from underserved populations
  • Networking across disciplines
  • Collaborative approach to service provision

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

In collaboration with staff from the Training Department of CCVS, Academy Sessions are taught by seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds whose knowledge and skill draws on extensive work in various disciplines encompassed by victim services. 

SMEs for the Academy are from organizations such as:

  • Vermont Attorney General’s Office
  • Vermont Police Academy/ Law Enforcement Agencies
  • Community Justice Centers
  • Department of Corrections
  • Department for Children and Families
  • Mental Health Services
  • Victim/ Survivor Community
  • Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
  • Deaf Victim Advocacy Services
  • Disability Rights Organizations
  • Youth Justice Centers
  • Victim Services Programs
  • LGBTQ+ Advocacy Organizations
  • Programs Supporting Refugees and Immigrants

Participants

VVAA participants come from many programs, agencies, organizations and communities.
Previous participants have come from:

  • State’s Attorney’s Offices

  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Programs

  • Advocacy Programs

  • Child Welfare Programs

  • Youth Justice Programs

  • Department of Corrections

  • Law Enforcement Agencies

  • Probation and Parole Boards

  • Court Diversion Programs

  • Department of Children and Families

  • Public School Systems

  • Higher Education (students and administration)

  • Faith Community Providers

  • Disability Services

  • Economic Services

  • Community/Parallel/Restorative Justice Programs

  • Elder Services

  • Mental Health Services

  • Medical Services

  • Communication and Information Services

  • Victims and Survivors of Crime

  • Community Members


Program Costs

The Vermont Victim Assistance Academy will come with a registration fee of $200 per participant. This fee covers all four sessions (eight days) of the training.


Application Information

To register, Apply Here. If you have any questions about the VVAA or the registration process, please contact Amber King at Amber.King@ccvs.vermont.gov

Please email us for information about joining the academy and to be included in all communication regarding upcoming training opportunities!