What's New at OVC brings together the headlines, announcements, and noteworthy updates to OVC Web sites and resources in the past 90 days. Special attention is given to funding application deadlines, registration dates, and time-sensitive information.

Announcements

Call for Entries for IACP/LogIn Excellence in Victim Services Award: The International Association of Chiefs of Police will honor law enforcement agencies demonstrating excellence in innovative services through victim-centered best practices. Submit entries by May 1, 2010.

President Obama Reaffirms His Strong Support for All Victims of Crime. In a March 3 White House interview with John Walsh of TV’s “America’s Most Wanted,” the President spoke about the importance of supporting and empowering victims. Read the full transcript of the interview. A video of the 16-minute interview can be viewed on the White House Web site. 

FY 2010 Victim Assistance Professional Development Fellowship Program—Up to six fellowship grants of up to $135,000 each will be awarded to support OVC’s outreach efforts in the topical areas of victim assistance and compensation; tribal communities; underserved crime victims; evidence-based training and technical assistance; federal and military victim assistance; and financial fraud and non-violent crime. Apply by April 27, 2010.

Underserved Teen Victims Initiative project—Twenty-five local youth-adult teams will be selected to participate during the 2010-2011 school year. Each team will receive up to $2,500 to plan and implement a youth-led public awareness campaign on services available to teenage victims of crime. This OVC-supported project is administered by the National Crime Prevention Council and the National Center for Victims of Crime. Apply by March 19, 2010.

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand (HOPE) III—Five cooperative agreements totaling $1,500,000 will be awarded to assess the current state of the crime victim services field and develop a framework for expanding the impact of the field in the future. Apply by April 20, 2010.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week—Crime Victims’ Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect.—will be observed April 18-24 2010. This year's NCVRW Resource Guide is now available online and features customizable public awareness posters in English and Spanish, camera-ready art files in color and black and white, the 2010 theme DVD, public service announcements for radio and television, and more.

Recently Discussed Topics in Crime Victims' Services

The OVC Web Forum:

• Strategic Planning for Victim Service Leaders—February 24, 2010.
• Serving American Indian Victims of Sex Trafficking—January 27, 2010.
• Stalking in the Workplace—January 19, 2010.

Visit the OVC Web Forum for more topics in crime victims' services and to learn how to participate in the next online discussion on February 24, 2010.

Other Expert Chats and Webinars:

• Teen Dating Violence—February 23, 2010.The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Government Innovators Network hosted an expert chat to highlight prevention and intervention research on teen dating violence.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners and Victim Sensitive Evidence Collection—March 2, 2010. An Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)-funded webinar presented by the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC).

The Office for Victims of Crime is a component of
the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.