Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the MVAA?
    Currently funded by the federal Office for Victims of Crime and operated by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) in partnership with diverse public and community agencies, colleges and universities, MVAA is a 40 hour program designed to give providers an in-depth understanding of crime victims’ experiences across time and systems. Individuals from a wide variety of professions come in contact with crime victims every day (e.g. medical, legal, mental health, media, criminal justice, victim advocacy, clergy, etc.). Yet, often, each provider knows little, if anything, about the other systems that impact the victim’s experience and pursuit of healing and justice. While this is often due to time demands in a busy schedule, it provides for a less than complete understanding of what the victim experiences and how we can best assist him or her both as individual providers and as part of a coordinated network. The MVAA’s weeklong training helps enrich and broaden the advocate’s perspective and approach to their work with victims and survivors. While 26 other states have also established state Victim Assistance Academies, MVAA has been lauded as a “model for the nation” because of its first-of-a-kind innovative curriculum.
     
  2. Who can attend the MVAA?
    Victim advocates who have less than 5 years experience in the victim services field.
     
  3. When is the MVAA?
    Sunday afternoon, July 27 until Friday afternoon, August 1, 2008.
     
  4. Are there scholarships available?
    Unfortunately, MVAA is not in a position to offer scholarships for MVAA 2008.

    However, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center does offer scholarship money to organizations and individuals seeking to attend trainings such as the MVAA.

    Click here for further information. 

  5. Where is the MVAA?
    MVAA 2008 will take place on the beautiful campus of Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

    The picturesque setting is conducive to learning and rejuvenation, two important goals of MVAA.
     

  6. How can I receive an application for the 2008 MVAA?
    Please visit our website (mass.gov/mova/mvaa.html) to download a PDF version of the MVAA 2008 application or contact Amy Todeschini,  amy.j.todeschini@state.ma.us for a copy.
     
  7. How are participants chosen?
    MVAA 2008 has a maximum capacity of 50 participants. MVAA seeks a diversity of attendees, representing a variety of cultural backgrounds, geographic locations, and types of agencies and constituencies served. In order to be considered, you must have less than 5 years experience in the victim services field, and you must send a completed application by the May 7 deadline. A Selection Committee will review applications and notify those accepted by June 4. We will have a waiting list if we exceed capacity; applicants from the waiting list will be admitted to any available spaces beginning June 18.