NOVA Training
The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is committed to upholding excellence in the field of victim advocacy and crisis response by providing trauma-informed training, education and credentialing to all victim assistance and allied professionals. Our training programs are created to promote a standard of knowledge among those interacting with victims/survivors of trauma and to ensure each victim/survivor receives a level of care and respect that empowers and promotes their wellbeing.
We offer a variety of training opportunities for victim assistance professionals and crisis responders at all levels. Our skill-based trainings include on-line course and in-person trainings designed to accommodate individuals and groups around the world. Interested in becoming a NOVA Subject Matter Experts and joining the NOVA Faculty? Please read the NOVA Faculty Standards of Excellence and complete our NOVA Faculty Application!
Join us this year for these and other dynamic trainings offered by NOVA!
NOVA Victim Assistance Academy
Offered twice a year (Spring and Fall), pre-approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) this training provides skills and tools for new and aspiring advocates. Learn more >
National Advocacy Learning Center
For our Premier Members we offer Monthly and Quarterly CEU Webinars on a variety of topics for advocates of all levels of experience. Learn more >
NOVA Campus Advocacy Training
Offered once a year, this training is specialized in the topics and skills for victim advocates in college/university settings. Learn more >
SEX TRAFFICKING ADVANCED VICTIM ASSISTANCE TRAINING (STAVAT)
Offered once a year, this advanced training is designed to provide concrete skills, best practices and lessons from the field for professionals working with victims of sex trafficking. Learn more >
*NEW* CHILD & FAMILY ADVOCACY ACADEMY
COMING SOON. Offered in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, this advanced training is designed to provide evidence-based best practices, enhance valuable skills and share prevention models and systems-based approaches for professionals working with child and adolescent victims of crime and their families. Learn more >
NOVA Crisis Response Team Training
NOVA collaborates with communities around the world to facilitate CRT Trainings focused on providing trauma mitigation, education and emotional first aid in the aftermath of a critical incident, either small-scale or mass-casualty. Learn more >
NOVA’s Annual Training Event
Once a year we invite all victim advocates and allied professionals to join us for three days of in-person trainings and workshops. Learn more >
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
During NOVA’s observation of National Crime Victims’ Rights week in April we offer a variety of trainings and events to promote victims’ rights. Learn more >
Customized Victim Assistance Training for Teams
NOVA offers customized Victim Advocacy Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to help corporations, communities and agencies develop innovative approaches, polices and trainings to expand and enhance support for victims and survivors of crime. Learn more >
Are you a Subject Matter Expert interested in becoming a NOVA Faculty member?
We would love to hear from you! Please read the NOVA Faculty Standards of Excellence and complete our NOVA Faculty Application.
NOVA’s Customized Victim Assistance Training and Technical Assistance Program
NOVA offers customized Victim Advocacy Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to help corporations, communities and agencies develop innovative approaches, policies and trainings to expand and enhance support for victims and survivors of crime. NOVA’s Customized TTA Services include:
• NOVA’s Introduction to Victim Advocacy Training (12 hours)
• NOVA’s Customized Victim Assistance Academies, pre-approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)® (40 hours)
• Dynamic Webinar Trainings on Emerging Trends and Best Practices in Victim Assistance
• One-on-One Technical Assistance, Coaching and Mentorship
NOVA’s Introduction to Victim Advocacy Training (12 hours):
This two (2) day training can be offered virtually or in-person and will cover the foundational topics of victim advocacy and providing trauma-informed services. Attendees will learn about the following topics:
• Trauma-Informed Advocacy (2 hours)
• Communication Skills (2 hours)
• NOVA’s Crisis Intervention Model (2 hours)
• Ethics, Boundaries and Confidentiality (2 hours)
• Cultural Humility in Outreach and Advocacy Services (2 hours)
• Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care (2 hours)
NOVA’s Introduction to Victim Advocacy Training includes: NOVA instructors, training, materials, technology orientation (virtual training only), and NOVA’s Certificate of Completion for each attendee.
Cost: Please contact Callie Stewart (calliestewart@trynova.org), listing how many attendees you expect to participate and if you prefer a virtual or in-person training to receive a quote. Please note that all custom trainings require a minimum of 25 attendees. If you are a single registrant interested in training, please consider the NOVA Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA).
NOVA’s Customized Victim Assistance Academy (40 hours – Get Credentialed!):
This 40-hour training can be offered virtually or in-person and is designed as a comprehensive victim services course to meet the needs of your staff. All Customized Victim Assistance Academies are created to meet the qualifications of the National Advocacy Credentialing Program (NACP)® and are pre-approved prior to the training to ensure all attendees can apply for professional credentialing.
NOVA works closely with your leadership to understand the training needs and specialty topics that will best prepare your staff to respond and assist victims/survivors of crime with best-practices and trauma-informed skills.
NOVA’s Customized Victim Assistance Academy includes: Instructors, training, resources and materials, homework, NOVA Certificate of Completion, and NACP Provisional Advocate Credentialing for all attendees.
Cost: Please contact Callie Stewart (calliestewart@trynova.org) to learn more. After an initial meeting and needs analysis, a contract is developed and agreed upon between the two parties. Please note that all custom trainings require a minimum of 25 attendees. If you are a single registrant interested in training, please consider the NOVA Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA).
NOVA’s Customized Victim Assistance Academies are carefully created to meet the needs of your staff and the clients they serve. As a result, our curriculum and training development process typically requires at least 3 months from start to finish.
Current and Prior Recipients of NOVA’s TTA Include:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Testimonials
“I was incredibly impressed with the group of speakers – they were all SO proficient on their respective topics, interesting and fun. I thought it was a great training. Thank you!”
“I was a sex crimes and child abuse police supervisor in the 90s, overseeing both detectives & victim assistants, so I was a little familiar with NOVA. But I was really impressed by this training. Among the best I’ve seen in 40 years in and around the business.”
“Truly amazing training. All the speakers were top notch, not only in terms of expertise but also in terms of energy and presentation style. This is one of the most engaging/interesting trainings I’ve been to in a long time. Thanks!”
“Thanks for providing such a high caliber of trainers. It was an emotional week and I am inspired by every one of the trainers and speakers who came.”
“Thanks for doing this service for our nation’s many communities! It is greatly needed and in an area of crime/shame/blame/hurt/pain that many of us privileged don’t think about regularly”
For more information on receiving Technical Assistance or to learn more about Customized Training, please contact calliestewart@trynova.org.
NOVA Victim Assistance Academy: Shaping The Future Of Victim Advocacy
The NOVA Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) is a forty-hour live distance learning training for aspiring and new victim assistance professionals. Offered through NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC), this unique academy provides comprehensive, skill-based training through an innovative online platform.
Registration for the Fall 2021 NVAA is Closed
Registration for the Spring 2022 session will open March 1, 2022
WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
This course is designed for new and aspiring victim advocates, although we welcome advocates at any level.
WHEN IS THE TRAINING OFFERED?
The NOVA Victim Assistance Academy is offered twice a year, Spring and Fall.
Fall Session 2021: September 22 – November 17, 2021 | Wednesdays from 11:00am – 3:00pm Eastern Time. A brief mandatory orientation will take place on September 15th, one week before the start of the course. All students are expected to attend.
Spring Session 2022: April – June, 2022 | Wednesdays from 9:00am – 1:00pm Eastern Time OR 5:00pm – 9:00pm Eastern Time.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Spring 2022 Registration: Applicants who apply by the Early Bird deadline of March 17, 2022 are eligible for the discounted rate of $360. NOVA Members are eligible for a further reduced rate of $300. After March 17, 2022 and until registration closes on March 31, 2022, the standard tuition rate is $400 and NOVA Member rate is $350.
HOW DO I REGISTER A GROUP OF 5 OR MORE?
To get the group discount of $275 per student for a group of 5 or more from the same agency, please send a list of the applicant names, point of contact information for the group, and cardholder information to nvaa@trynova.org. Each person in the group will need to fill out the PDF registration form in its entirety.
HOW IS THE NVAA COMPLETED?
Zoom Webinar is the platform used for the NVAA. In order to participate in the NVAA, each student must be able to access Zoom. Access to a camera is not needed. Auto-transcription is provided during the training.
WHY REGISTER?
The NVAA is:
CONVENIENT: Expanded access to learning for victim service professionals who may have schedule, geographical or physical limitations with accessing more traditional academies.
SKILL-BASED: Students receive comprehensive, skill-based training in an innovative online classroom.
INTERACTIVE: The academy allows students to interact directly with faculty and classmates, and participate in engagement activities and discussion, all in real time from their home or office.
UNIQUE: Direct access to over 20 nationally-recognized Subject Matter Expert (SME) Faculty Members. See our dynamic faculty members in action!
VALUABLE: Pre-approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)®.
Please contact nvaa@trynova.org with any questions or concerns.
Take a moment to browse through our NVAA Alumni testimonials to learn why these and other victim assistance professionals are choosing the NVAA.
Ask Our Alumni
Students of the NOVA Victim Assistance Training (NVAA), NOVA Campus Advocacy Training (NCAT) and Sex Trafficking Advanced Victim Assistance Training (STAVAT) can all access their student centers below.
Passwords have been provided to you by your NOVA program manager.
Sex Trafficking: An Advanced Victim Assistance Training
In partnership with Strand2 Squared, NOVA is proud to present a 21-hour live online learning academy for experienced professionals. Offered through NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC), this advanced victim assistance training will provide concrete skills, best practices and lessons from the field for professionals working with victims of sex trafficking.
Topics will include:
– Intersectionality and human trafficking
– The psychophysiological impact of trauma
– Trauma-Informed Response and Care (TIRC)
– Supporting Victim Safety
– Sex trafficking and the legal system
– Creating an effective community response
November 29, 2021 Update: Due to overwhelming response, registration for the 2022 STAVAT has been closed.
Who should register?
This course is designed for experienced victim assistance professionals looking for an comprehensive, trauma-informed training on identifying and supporting victims/survivors of sex trafficking.
There is no prerequisite to take the course, however, those enrolling should already have reasonable foundational knowledge in victim services.
When is the training offered?
The Sex Trafficking Advanced Victim Assistance Training (STAVAT) will be offered January 11 – February 22, 2022. Class will take place online every Tuesday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm (EST).
What is the cost?
Register before 11/17/21 and enjoy an Early Bird Rate of $300. Regular registration (after 11/17/21) will be $350/person.
NOVA Members enjoy a 10% discounted rate. Group discounts are also available for five (5) or more students from the same organization. Please contact marielbranagan@trynova.org for more information.
How do I apply?
Registration for the 2022 STAVAT will open November 1st, 2021. Registration will be open until December 10th, 2021 or until capacity has been reached.
How is it different?
The STAVAT is a unique, high-quality training which allows students to directly interact with nationally-recognized Subject Matter Experts. Our faculty hail from the following influential organizations and institutions:
Brighton, Colorado Police Department
Human Trafficking Legal Center
Project REACH, Trauma Center Justice Resource Institute
School of Social Work Arizona State University
About Our Partners
Strand² Squared is focused on providing cutting edge human centric, trauma informed training, education and consultation centered on crime, crisis and other traumatic experiences. They do so through training, education and consultation and in collaboration with like-minded independent consultants both in person and on-line.
Our Mission: is to dramatically shift the cultural paradigm in order to improve society’s response to individuals who have experienced trauma, victimization and other complex experiences.
We Envision: A Human centric, trauma informed response to all incidents of high stress and trauma. A response that empowers individuals and families while embracing compassion, respect and dignity of all people.
NOVA Child & Family Advocacy Academy (CFAA)
Offered in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), this 28-hour advanced online training is designed to provide evidence-based best practices, enhance valuable skills and share prevention models and systems-based approaches for professionals working with child and adolescent victims of crime and their families.
Registration for the Fall 2021 CFAA is closed.
WHO SHOULD REGISTER?
This course is designed for professionals working with child and adolescent victims of crime and their families. The CFAA is limited to 60 participants. Registration will be open from September 1-September 30th, 2021 or until the capacity has been reached.
WHEN IS THE TRAINING OFFERED?
As NOVA’s first intensive academy, the CFAA will be Tuesdays and Thursdays in October 2021 from 11:00am-3:00pm EST with a mandatory orientation from 11:00am-12:15pm EST on Tuesday, October 5th, 2021 for a total of 28 hours/8 days.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Applicants who apply by the Early Bird deadline of September 9th, 2021 are eligible or the discounted rate of $300. Applications received after that date will be charged $350. Members enjoy a discounted rate of 10% off.
WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?
Neurobiology of Childhood Trauma, Trauma-Informed Family Advocacy, Communication with Families and Beyond, Implicit Bias, The Brain, & Applied Intersectionality, Child Abuse and Online Sexual Exploitation, Family Impact, Intergenerational Trauma, Missing, Runaway and Homeless Children, Family Impact and Reunification, Child and Adolescent Suicide Prevention, Working with Children with Disabilities and Deaf Individuals, Community Impact and School System Response, Prevention Models and Initiatives, Survivor Engagement and Voices.
HOW IS THE CFAA COMPLETED?
Zoom Meeting is the platform used for the CFAA. In order to participate in the CFAA, each student must be able to access Zoom and a microphone feature. Cameras will be optional but not required. Call-in only for Zoom is not permitted. Auto-transcription is provided during the training.
Sign Up Here for NOVA Training Updates!