NOVA Trainings
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. 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.
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.
NOVA Campus Advocacy Training
Offered once a year, this training is specialized in the topics and skills for victim advocates in college/university settings.
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.
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.
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.
Customized Training
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.
Contact us at victimrelations@trynova.org for more information!
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, polices and trainings to expand and enhance support for victims and survivors of crime. NOVA’s TTA Services include:
Customized 1-day Victim Support Training providing corporations, agencies and individuals with tools to support, listen and communicate with people who have experienced a traumatic event.
Customized 40-hour Introductory Victim Assistance Training on the core competencies for victim advocacy as defined by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)®. Pre-approved by NACP, NOVA’s 40-hour Introductory Victim Assistance Training curricula will be customized to your organization’s unique program and target populations served.
Dynamic Webinar Trainings on emerging trends and best practices in the field of victim assistance. Facilitated on NOVA’s video teleconferencing platform, Adobe Connect, NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center Training Team works with organizations to customize topics and group discussion to your agency and target populations served.
One-on-one Technical Assistance, Coaching and Mentorship on a wide range of victim assistance topics facilitated by NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC) Technical Assistance and Training Team. Customized consultation is available via phone, email and through NOVA’s video teleconference platform, as well as targeted site visits at the request of organizations and/or communities.
For more information on receiving Technical Assistance or to set up Customized Training, please contact victimrelations@trynova.org.
Customized Training and TTA Testimonials
“Talk about a wakeup call! Taking this class had an invaluable impact on not just my work life, but my everyday life. It’s easy to lose sight of the human behind the process and the affect we can all have on each other. I am excited to use all the tools we were given!”
“I personally found the NOVA training very beneficial in a plethora of ways, both in the work place as well as personal life. I feel as if obtaining the skills that Vanessa demonstrated and taught us would allow for us to have a greater sense of empathy towards our customer – regardless of the situation. At times we tend to forget how others perceive/deal with traumas of all kinds, and the training helped us with keeping an open mind when speaking to our customers.”
“I really enjoyed the training. The activities kept it interesting. Vanessa was awesome! Her energy was refreshing and you can tell she likes what she does. I had a situation with my kids when I got home, it was nice to listen to them and not jump into attack mode. I let them vent and understood where they were coming from. I don’t think I would have helped their situation if I didn’t have that training. “
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.
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 NVAA is offered twice a year, Spring and Fall. There is one class provided in the Fall from 11:00am – 3:00pm ET. Two class times are provided in the Spring. One at 9:00am-1:00pm ET and the other 5:00pm-9:00pm ET. Classes meet on Wednesdays.
The Fall 2019 NVAA will be offered September 18th – November 13th at 11:00am – 3:00pm ET, every Wednesday.
How Do I Register?
Fall 2019 Registration is open! Register Now
Use the button above to register conveniently online. A paper application can be found here. Please contact nvaa@trynova.org regarding group discounts and registration.
What is the cost?
Standard early bird tuition rate is $335 per student. NOVA Members receive a discounted rate of $270. Group discounts are available for 5 or more students from the same organization. Please contact nvaa@trynova.org for more information. Become a NOVA Premier Member to receive a 10% discount!
Please note that prices increase a month before the NVAA is set to begin.
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: Small class sizes allow students to interact directly with faculty and classmate, and participate in role plays, group exercises, 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)®.
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
What is the NOVA Campus Advocacy Training (NCAT)?
Through our National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC) and in partnership with Campus Advocacy & Prevention Professionals Association (CAPPA) the NOVA Campus Advocacy Training (NCAT) is a six-week, 24-hour advanced training academy focused on building participants’ knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to sexual assault, stalking and interpersonal violence in higher education. Graduates of this unique academy may be eligible to apply for the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)®’s new “Campus Advocacy Specialist” Credential. The Training will be delivered using a blended-learning approach, which includes six consecutive weeks of live, virtual training and self-paced outside assignments designed to foster classroom discussion. To enhance participation, class size will be limited to forty.
Who should apply?
You must be a campus-based advocate or community-based advocate providing services on a college campus to apply.
Questions? Please email us at ncat@trynova.org.
When is the training offered?
The next NCAT will be held in Winter 2020 and registration is expected to open in September 2019. Please join the NCAT Interest List to be notified on enrollment and upcoming training.
How is it different?
The NCAT is a unique, high-quality training which allows students to directly interact with nationally-recognized Subject Matter Experts.
Campus Advocacy & Prevention Professionals Association (CAPPA)
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
National Latin@ Network Casa Esperanza
Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault
What is the cost?
Tuition for the Winter 2020 NCAT is $350/student. Members of NOVA and the Campus Advocacy & Prevention Professional Association (CAPPA) enjoy a 10% discount and group discounts are available for groups of five (5) or more advocates. Contact NCAT for more information.
How do I apply?
The next NCAT will be in the Winter of 2020. Registration is expected to open in September 2019 and application information will be provided on this webpage. Join our NCAT Interest list by clicking here.
Have a question or interested in receiving more information regarding the NCAT?
Email us at ncat@trynova.org.
NOVA is committed to the professionalization of Campus Victim Advocacy- check out our op-ed in USA Today.
Sex Trafficking: An Advanced Victim Assistance Training
In partnership with Strand2 Squared, NOVA is proud to present a 20-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
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 inaugural Sex Trafficking Advanced Victim Assistance Training will be offered January 14 – February 25, 2020. Class will take place online every Tuesday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm (EST). For up-to-date information and notification when registration opens, sign up here.
How Do I Register?
Registration will open September 2019. Sign up to stay in the know and receive an email when registration opens! Click the button below to sign up.
Sex Trafficking Training Email List
What is the cost?
Standard tuition is $300 per student. Keep an eye out for our early bird discounted rate ($270) that is offered to our early registrants. NOVA Members also received a discounted rate!
Group discounts are available for 5 or more students from the same organization. Please contact nalc@trynova.org for more information.
Scholarships: Unfortunately, at this time NOVA is not able to provide full or partial scholarships. We hope we can do so in the future. Some organizations will provide employees with the funds to pursue continuing education. Be sure to ask your supervisor.
About Our Partners
Strand2 Squared is co-founded by Russell and Myra Strand, a dynamic teaching duo whose presentations are both entertaining and cutting edge. They are committed to life long learning and striving to improve the communities response to traumatic experiences through training, education and consultation.
Russell W. Strand: Senior Special Agent (Retired) Russell W. Strand, CFP-A, is a managing partner and co-founder of Strand² Squared LLC and founding faculty of Certified FETI. Along with his wife and partner, Myra Strand, he provides consultation, systems auditing, training and assistance to agencies and service providers.
Russell is an internationally recognized expert in child abuse and sexual assault investigations, domestic violence intervention, human trafficking, forensic interviews, trauma response, neuroscience and policing and culture change. He is also the creator of the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview (FETI). Russ is highly respected and sought-after speaker internationally, who has personally trained & educated more than 500,000 professionals in his career. He has been sought out by Congressional staffers and primaries who have been interested in his forward-thinking sexual assault investigations programs and approaches that not only assisted the Department of Defense but also leads the nation in efforts at reducing sexual assault prevalence while increasing offender identification and accountability.
Myra Strand: Myra Strand, MA, is a managing partner, along with her husband, of Strand² Squared LLC where she provides consultation, forensic experiential trauma interviewing, training and assistance to agencies and service providers. Together, they provide education and training to 1000s of professionals both nationally and internationally annually.
Myra began working with people who have trauma in 1995. She has experience with youth with complex trauma and serious mental illness, people with developmental disabilities, youth in competing war zones, county inmates, in the area of death notification and with victims of all crime types. In her previous position as CEO at Victim Witness Services (VWS) for Coconino County, Myra’s focus was to drive the sustainable growth of VWS in three areas: Vicarious Trauma Mitigation, Evidence Informed Practices, and the Expansion of Geographic Reach. She had a central focus of applying trauma informed response and care.