About Us

PVAA Partners

The Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy (PVAA) is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and administered by The University of Scranton.

The Pennsylvania Com mission on Crime and Delinquency promotes a collaborative approach to enhance the quality of justice through guidance, leadership and resources by empowering citizens and communities and influencing state policy. It strives to be a state and national leader by providing innovative services and programs that promote justice for all citizens and communities of Pennsylvania.

The University of Scranton is a Jesuit institution ranked among the top ten colleges and universities in the north for the 10th consecutive year by U.S. News and World Repor t. The University's Brennan Hall, the location of the Academy, provides state-of-the-art classrooms, seminar space, and computer facilities, and is adjacent to four new apartment-style townhouses that will house Academy participants.

Who Should Attend?

The Pennsylvania Victim Assistan ce Academy encourages the attendance of individuals from victim service organizations and other agencies that serve crime victims. This includes volunteers and paid staff from a variety of community-based and system-based programs and other allied professionals such as law enforcement and corrections.

Faculty & Curriculum

Outstanding state leaders in the field of victimology, criminal justice, and victims' rights join expert practitioners and host faculty from The University of Scranton to provide a rich educational foundation grounded in practical applications across the field.

A comprehensive Pennsylvania Academy text covering many subjects has been developed to serve as the Academy's resource tool. The text, which will be sent to participants in advance of the Academy, provides th e curriculum foundation and should be read in preparation for the Academy experience. Attendees must attend the entire program and participate in laboratory and working group sessions.

2007 Academy Topics Include

Application Process

To be eligible for participation in the Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy, a candidate must apply by submitting an application form. In addition, the appli cation must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation, one of which from the applicant's supervisor or program coordinator/director. The Academy has a rolling admissions policy which means applicants are accepted, waitlisted or rejected whenever an application form and recommendations are received at the following address:

Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy
Center for Professional Training and Development
The University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510

Applicants will be notified of their selection status within two weeks of the receipt of the completed application.

Selection Criteria

The PVAA is designed primarily for victim service providers and allied pro fessionals who have had a minimum of two years in the field of victim assistance and are currently in their third year of service. Volunteers in the field with a minimum of 24 months active volunteer experience are welcome to apply. Applicants with more than five years experience should address their special interest in attending on Question 5 of the application form. The selection process is intended to promote an Academy class that represents the sta te's urban, suburban, and rural communities, and is geographically, culturally, and professionally diverse.

Costs and Dates

All students must arrive and register at The University of Scranton by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 11, 2007. The Academy will close on Friday, June 15, 2007, at noon. Students must attend the entire Academy.  The all-inclusive cost to students for tuiti on, course materials, housing and meals is $300.

Scholarships

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available from the PVAA. Requests for a scholarship must accompany the application form and include an explanation of the need for financial assistance, the anticipated benefits of Academy attendance for the individual and the agency, and an explanation of why agency funds could not pay for the $300 registration fee.

Certification, CEUs & Credit

Past  PVA Academies have been approved for:

• Crisis Intervention Standard
• Victim/Witness Assistance Program Standards
• PA Board of Social Workers
• The Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists (Basic or Advanced Training toward Certified Trauma Services Specialist (CTSS)
• Act 48- PA Department of Education hours
• Undergraduate Credit

Certificate of Graduation

Upon successful completion of the entire Academy, including participation in all Academy sessions, participants will be awarded a certificate from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

Contacts and Questions

Questions or additional information about the Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy may be addressed to:

Jeanne C. Yarmey, Project Coordinator
Pennsylvania Victim Assistance Academy
Center for Professional Training and Development
The University of Scranton
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
Phone: (570) 941-7582
Fax: (570) 941-7937
Email: y armeyj2@scranton.edu