The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs is currently accepting applications for the 2020 Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy. The academy will be 100% virtual. Learn more about the program.
Program Overview
The Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy (MNVAA) is a foundational-level educational opportunity for victim service providers and criminal justice professionals offered by the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP). MNVAA is an intensive course of study designed to improve the quality and consistency of victim services in Minnesota. It uses a multi-disciplinary educational approach to convey the knowledge, skills, and attitudes practitioners will need as they seek to restore victims and help them regain control of their lives. The comprehensive curriculum has been created specifically for Minnesota by a multidisciplinary committee assembled by the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and its partners.
Academy information and selection criteria are described in the application, along with directions on how to apply. Applicants who are accepted will be notified via email. Academy students who attend and successfully complete the 40-hour training will receive a certificate of completion. Academic credit is available for an additional fee, and CEUs/POST credits may be available.
The application process is competitive due to limited space. There are no “guaranteed” applications selected for the academy.
2020 Training Dates
The 2020 Academy will kick off with a welcome reception/registration on Tuesday, October 19, 2020.
Please find the tentative dates and times below:
Virtual Evening Welcome Reception
October 19, 2020 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Training days
Tuesdays and Thursdays, two sessions per day- one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Target times are 9-11 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m., but some sessions may require an earlier or later start.
- Week 1: October 20 and 22
- Week 2: October 27 and 29
- Week 3: November 4 and 5
- Week 4: November 10 and 12
- Week 5: November 17 and 19
Graduation Ceremony
November 20, 11 a.m. (tentative)
Applications
Applications for the 2020 Academy will be accepted until October 1, 2020. The fee is $100. Students must attend all sessions to graduate. More information can be found on the OJP website under Training & Communication. Please complete the application form and submit it electronically to Joann Jones joann.jones@state.mn.us.