Learning from 9/11 and Other Incidents of Mass Violence to Enable More Effective Long-Term Local Support

The National Field-Generated Training, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects Program addresses demonstrated gaps in training or technical assistance or in the knowledge base of victim service practitioners nationwide. The aim of the program is to enhance the provision of services and support to crime victims to further ensure that all victims are afforded the rights to which they are due. All initiatives are national in scope and focus on improving the capacity of victim service providers and allied practitioners in advancing rights and services for crime victims in the areas of child pornography; drunk and impaired driving; mortgage fraud; sexual assault within correctional settings; coordinated state-tribal crime victim services; long-term mental health and other consequences of mass violence; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ) crime victims access to mainstream victim services; services for young male victims of color; or using technology to improve and enhance victim services.

The stated goal of Voices of September 11 is to provide communities with a resource kit that will guide organizations through the process of creating an infrastructure that effectively responds to the immediate needs of those affected, and also an understanding of the support model necessary to address long-term needs. Phase I of their project will define key information needed for a resource kit; phase II will develop, test and evaluate a resource kit: and in phase III they intend to work closely with OVC for an effective national rollout. Their stated key objectives are: 1 documenting VOICES lessons learned, best practices, infrastructure and processes; 2 documenting short and long-term support experiences in other major incidents of mass violence; 3 developing a resource kit for use by communities and organizations to fill the gap in local long-term support; and 4 strengthening service providers knowledge and skills.

ca/ncf