Guiding Families Toward Healing and Justice – Aligning Victim Advocacy Practice with Professional Standards

The role of Victim/Family Advocates in general, within CACs, and on multidisciplinary teams has consistently evolved in scope and complexity, requiring increased understanding of victim advocacy as a unique discipline unto itself.  The updated National Children’s Alliance Accreditation Standards, that became effective in 2017, underscore the critical role Advocates play in helping children and families pursue and achieve safety, healing and justice.  Similarly, building upon earlier collaborative efforts of victims/survivors and victim service providers, the federal Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) promulgated Model Standards to “promote excellence in victim services professions” in 2016. This workshop will engage participants in exploring the strengths and challenges of the CAC Victim Advocate role in the context of the NCA accreditation standards and the OVC model standards and develop strategies for enhancing professional practice.

Objectives:

• Examine the role and requirements of CAC Victim Advocates as outlined in the NCA Accreditation Standards
• Explore the import of the OVC Model Standards as guidance for the delivery of victim advocacy services and fostering a coordinated network of support for victims/survivors
• Discuss and develop strategies for ensuring alignment with these standards, including a focus on enhancement and sustainability within the field.

Victim Service Provider (VSP) credit is pending through the South Carolina Office of Victim Services Education and Certification.

If you are a Victim Advocate and have not received a registration code or need additional information, please use the link below to contact our Program Director.

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