National Advocate Credentialing Program

Prepared byJeannette M. Adkins and

Rhonda S. BarnerNACP Review Committee Members

Questions? NACP@trynova.orgFor Information & Application:

NACP Link:http://www.trynova.org/help-crime-victim/nacp/

History of NACP NOVA initiated discussions with other national victim

assistance organizations in April of 2001 in a meeting in Washington, D.C.

National Advocate Credentialing Program launched in October of 2003 beginning with grandfathering of experienced advocates (5+ years of experience in the field)

Grandfathering of experienced advocates was in effect for the first two years of the program and expired October 31, 2005 in anticipation of possible testing for applicants

Over 6,400 advocates have been credentialed to date

NACP Original Co-Sponsors MADD National National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) National Association of Crime Victim

Compensation Boards (NACVB) National Association of VOCA Assistance

Administrators (NAVAA) National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) National Organization for Victim Assistance

(NOVA) Ohio Advocate Network (OAN) Pennsylvania Coalition on Crime and Delinquency

(PCCD)

Benefits of Credentialing Promotes minimum standards of required

pre-service training Recognizes the direct service experience

(paid, volunteer or internship) of Victim Advocates

Provides standardized credentialing to Victim Advocates nationwide

Encourages continuing education Offers mobility in the field

Levels of Credentials There are four (4) Levels available:

Provisional – Pre-service Credential or for those with less than 3900 hours of experience

Basic – Minimum of 3900 hours of experience*

Intermediate – Minimum of 7,800 hours of experience*

Advanced – Minimum of 15,600 hours of experience*

* Victim Assistance related experience may include employment, volunteering, internships, etc.

Provisional Advocate Credential Completion of NACP pre-approved 40 hours of

“A” Level Introductory Advocacy training only(40 hr. training provided by local, state and national training programs such as state victim assistance academies that has been pre-approved by NACP– see www.trynova.org for a complete list)

No experience in the field required Attach signed Code of Professional Ethics for

Victim Service Providers and signed Certificationspage

Attach certificate of completion from NACP pre-approved 40-hour training program (55 training programs have been pre-approved by NACP as meeting the minimum standards for “A” Level Introductory Advocacy training)

Basic Advocate Credential Completion of 40 hours of “A” Level Introductory

Advocacy training and a minimum of 20 hours of “B” Level Basic Specialty training (at least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by applicant).

Minimum of 3900 hours (2 years or 1950 hours/year) of experience, volunteer or paid –verified by the Memorandum of Confirmation (MOC).

Intermediate Advocate Credential Completion of 40 hours of “A” Level Introductory

Advocacy training and a minimum of 20 hours of “B” Level Basic Specialty training (at least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by applicant) and 10 hours of “C” Level More Advanced Specialty training.

Minimum of 7800 hours (4 years @1950 hours/year)of experience, volunteer or paid –verified by Memorandum of Confirmation (MOC).

Advanced Advocate Credential Completion of 40 hours of “A” Level Introductory

Advocacy training and a combined minimum of 20 hours in “B” Level Basic Specialty training (at least 20 hours is required for each area of specialty indicated by the applicant) and 20 hours of “C” Level More Advanced Specialty training.

Minimum of 15,600 hours (8 years @ 1950 hours/year) of experience, volunteer or paid –verified by Memorandum of Confirmation (MOC).

Application Process Submit completed application and all necessary

forms for Provisional, Basic, Intermediate or Advanced levels, including:1. A Memorandum of Confirmation (MOC) verifying each work or volunteer experience applied toward applicant’s experience in the field (for Basic, Intermediate or Advanced levels only);

2. A Client Contact Observation Evaluation form completed by someone in a position to observe the applicant’s interaction with those victimized by crime – which may be for one or more area(s) of specialty (for Basic, Intermediate or Advanced levels only.)

Application Process (cont.)3. Three (3) letters of recommendation recent and relevant to the credentialing application; not employment reference or general letters of endorsement that do not specifically address the applicant's NACP credentials (for Basic, Intermediate or Advanced levels only;

4. A signed Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Providers, (for all levels) and

5. Payment of the applicable fee. (Money Order, Check or Credit Card is acceptable.)

Specialty Areas Child Abuse Specialist Domestic Violence Specialist Drunk Driving Specialist Homicide Specialist Sexual Assault Specialist Campus Advocacy Specialist Comprehensive Services Specialist Program Management Specialist D-SAACP (Department of Defense Sexual Assault

Advocate Certification Program-separate program for DOD service members and DOD employees who serve as SARCs and SAPR-VAs)

Campus Advocacy Specialist Completed 40-hour Introductory Advocacy

Training (NACP pre-approved or documented 40 hours in the 10 NACP required topics) +

Completed 20-hour in Campus Advocacy Specialty training (like you are attending)+

Completed 10-20 hour in Campus Advocacy related topics (e.g. sexual assault, campus crime prevention, Title IX, etc.

Level Upgrades An applicant may use previously documented training hours

for required “B” Level and “C” Level Specialty training when upgrading from one credential level to the next.

An applicant must have a minimum of 20 hours of “B” Level Specialty training in each specialty area designated by the applicant. As a Comprehensive Services Specialist, the specialty training should be relevant to at least three different target populations (e.g.; domestic violence, sexual assault & child abuse).

Applicant must document additional work/volunteer experience and submit Memorandum(s) of Confirmation to verify applicant has obtained the minimum number of hours required to move to the next credential level.

(The maximum credit that will be given for "on-call" hours will be no more than 1,950 hours per twelve (12) month period)

Renewal Requirements Documentation of a minimum of 32 hours of

continuing education from applicable “B” Level Basic Specialty or “C” Level More Advanced Specialty training every 2 years.(Continuing Education Documentation (CED) form is downloadable for advocate’s use when certificates are not provided to verify training.)

Payment of the Applicable Renewal Fee.(Money Order, Check or Credit Card is acceptable.)

To add or change a specialty area, the applicant must document at least 20 hours of “B” Level Basic Specialty training and 10-20 hours of “C” Level More Advanced Specialty training for any additional designated specialty area.

Renewal Requirements (cont.) For each new specialty designation, there must a

new Client Contact Observation Evaluation form (previously submitted case observations for other specialty areas do not apply. If there is no change in specialty, no additional Client Contact Observation Evaluation form is necessary).

If upgrading to a higher level, applicant must provide documentation of additional work/volunteer experience. The maximum credit that will be given for "on-call" hours will be no more than 1,950 hours per twelve (12) month period.

NACP Application Fee StructureNew Applicants: Provisional Advocate Credential $70/$55* Basic Advocate Credential $140/$110* Intermediate Advocate Credential

$140/$110* Advanced Advocate Credential

$140/$110*(Money Order, Check or Credit Card is acceptable.)

*Price represents a Military Discount for all Active Duty members, Reserves, Veterans, Retirees or DOD Contract/Civilian Employees.

NACP Application Fee StructureRenewal (at Same Level) Applicants:

Every two (2) years $100/$80*

Renewal/Upgrading $140/$110* Applicant requests an upgrade to a higher level. A new certificate and card will be provided.

(Money Order, Check or Credit Card is acceptable.)

*Price represents a Military Discount for all Active Duty members, Reserves, Veterans, Retirees or DOD Contract/Civilian Employees.

NACP Credentials

Next Steps for NACP Add a specialty area for VOCA victim assistance

and compensation staff specific to their unique services to victims

Establish a formal appeal process for applicants who may not be satisfied with the decision of the review committee

Establish a process to handle alleged or appealed Code of Ethics violations and impact on status of credential (Some programs have taken action for violations and revocation of NACP credential may occur)

Application & Submission Dates Applications are only accepted:

between April 1 and April 30 and between October 1 and October 31.

Review committee meets in May and November

Complete overview of program, applications and additional forms/information can be downloaded at: http://www.trynova.org/help-crime-victim/nacp/

NACP Credentialed Advocate Lora RinaldiChatham County, NC Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance

“Our agency has shifted its response to be more comprehensive and victim-focused, as opposed to focusing solely on the offender,” said Sheriff Mike Roberson. “This accreditation will be a reminder to victims that they are cared for by the best staff and resources available inChatham County.”

“It’s an honor to achieve this milestone and it’s wonderful that these certification opportunities exist for individuals who are passionate about helping victims,” says Lora Rinaldi. “Receiving national certification adds validation that you and your agency are professional service providers. This accreditation shows that we specialize in a combination of areas in order to provide the highest level of service to the public.”

National Advocate Credentialing Program

Credentialing the Professionals Who Serve Those Victimized by Crime

http://www.trynova.org/help-crime-victim/nacp/