New to Advocacy? The NVAA is For You!
Spring 2025 NOVA Victim Assistance Academy
Information about the Spring 2025 NOVA Victim Assistance Academy is coming soon.
Click here to sign up for NOVA’s Email Updates and be notified when registration opens!
Shaping the Future of Victim Advocacy
The NOVA Victim Assistance Academy™ (NVAA) is a forty-hour virtual training for aspiring and new victim assistance professionals. Offered biannually, this unique NOVA academy provides comprehensive, skill-based training ideal for those new to the field, although we welcome advocates at any level! You will learn from 20 nationally recognized Subject Matter Expert(SME) Faculty Members, who you’ll have access to interact directly with.
The NVAA is an NACP Pre-Approved “A” Level Training; this means that after completing the NVAA you will be able to meet the training requirement to become a Provisional Level Credentialed Advocate with the NACP.
About the NVAA
The NVAA covers 20 integral topics that together form a comprehensive, trauma informed foundation for a victim advocate. NVAA Faculty bring experience from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), the Peace Corps, NOVA and more!
Who attends?
This course is designed for new and aspiring victim advocates, although we welcome advocates at any level.
What is the cost?
Fall 2024 Registration Rates:
- NOVA Members: $350
- Non-Members: $400
Register by August 9th and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 10% off your registration!
When is it?
The NVAA is offered twice a year, Spring and Fall.
The Spring NVAA is offered as a live, virtual 40 training with classes twice a week, for 10 weeks. There are two class times offered in spring: a morning and evening session (Eastern Time).
The Fall NVAA is offered as a Hybrid Model with a combination of live and asynchronous (pre-recorded) virtual training, that allows more flexibility and can be completed in one month.
Common questions about the NVAA
No. You will have completed an NACP Pre-Approved “A” Level training, which means that you can apply for the NACP Provisional Level Credential by submitting an application to the NACP along with your NVAA Certificate.
NOVA does offer limited need-based scholarships for the training academies. The scholarship covers the registration fee only and all scholarship recipients are required to have access to Zoom and a microphone feature to complete the academy.
Yes. While this course is designed for new and aspiring advocates, many seasoned advocates and allied professionals will complete the course as a valuable refresher training.
The following topics are covered in the 40-Hour NVAA:
- Foundations in Victim Advocacy
- Role of the Advocate
- Domestic Violence
- Sexual Assault
- Child Abuse
- Interpersonal Violence and Animal Cruelty
- Stalking and Interpersonal Violence
- Trauma and Resilience
- Advocating for LGBTQ+ Survivors of Crime
- Communication Skills
- Crisis Intervention
- Human Trafficking
- Inclusion and Belonging
- Criminal Justice System Overview
- Victim Compensation and Notification
- Victims with Disabilities
- Elder Abuse
- Ethics and Confidentiality
- Vicarious Trauma and Self Care
- Survivors of Homicide
Yes. The NVAA group discount is $275 per student for a group of 5 or more from the same agency, which must be paid in one bulk payment.
Please email [email protected] with the First Name, Last Name, Email Address for all applicants, and the training coordinator will provide you with a unique coupon code.
Attendance is taken throughout the live training. Per the attendance policy, students can miss up to two presentations but must make them up by completing a brief assignment. In order to receive a certificate of completion, students must adhere to the attendance policy.
The NVAA will be offered online via Zoom Meeting. In order to participate in the NVAA, each student must be able to access Zoom. Access to a camera and microphone are not required, but highly encouraged to increase participation and engagement. Auto-transcription is provided during the training.
No. When you register, you are selecting your class time and must attend at that time throughout the course. Occasionally, your NVAA coordinator will make an exception but that must be approved beforehand.
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