Victim Services Network Denver

denver To work with the community to create a model environment which offers outreach as well as innovative, specialized, seamless and integrated services to all victims of crime, helping to strengthen and restore the fabric of our community. MISSION A collaborative network that connect and supports agencies and communities to provide comprehensive, seamless, coordinated services to victims of crime. What is VSN? *Denver VSN spent five years implementing and testing collaboration within an interdisciplinary victim services framework Technology Individuals Agencies Community Forum, Cross-training, Collaborative Grants Direction to Service/ Self Advocacy Online Training Center Pastoral counseling Victim rights for law students Prosecutor training NO WRONG DOOR For victims of crime. Appreciation of diversity Creative collaboration Victim-centered services Self Care Opportunities INTERAGENCY PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES ~Code of Ethics / Ethical Communication ~Conflict Resolution ~Vicarious Trauma Mitigation ~Interpreters for Everyone ~Technology Response Protocol Domestic violence Sexual assault Child sexual abuse Child forensic interviews Victimization of elderly & disabled Building community-driven services Muslim community Deaf/hard of hearing community Elder abuse Bringing communities to the criminal justice table Institutional Change in “outreach” Training Curricula Cross Training Law school Seminary Law enforcement Online prosecutor training On-site tours Agency mission Agency values Opportunity to build relationships collaborative funding solicitation Cross-training for VSN members and allied professionals $150,000 for Projects $100,000 for Emergency Funding A shared vision Commitment Representation Decision making power Structure Resources Trust Lessons Learned Allow more time and resources than planned Manage expectations Strong Leadership Clear and realistic goals and objectives Utilize community expertise Establish a broad collaborative network Stay focused Celebrate small successes Relationship Building Marketing/ Awareness to Community Technology Cross training New employee orientation VSN event Maintain ED relationships Define target groups for outreach Bring in new agencies Messaging to community Revamp website for VSN member agencies/victims Retool Resource Directory Use technology to build and maintain relationships ECalendar Forum The goal of the Victim Services Network Crime Victim Advisory Council (CVAC) is to provide a way for victims of crime in Denver to be involved in the development and evaluation of services for victims of crime. CVAC is a broad based, diverse group of crime victims who can represent the perspectives, opinions, and needs of victims on special issues as well as services for victims of crime in Denver. This is