With the generous support of OVC, Unified Solutions is pleased to host this Training Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico April 23-25, 2008 at the Albuquerque Marriott. All Tribal Victim Assistance Program Managers are required to attend and are also required to bring an Advocate or Tribal Council Representative. Room reservations must be made by March 28, 2008. There is no registration cost to TVA Grantees, but you are responsible for all travel, per diem and lodging costs

This years theme is, Back to the Future: Using Culture and Traditions in Your TVA Programs.

Conference Purpose: Enhance tribal victim assistance by incorporating American Indian and Alaska Native culture, traditions, and values with professional strategies for effective TVA service delivery.

Conference Objectives:

v Learn the importance of blending AI/AN culture with tribal victim program services to better serve AI/AN crime victims.

v Review historical trauma and demonstrate how it impacts victims. needs and victims. services.

v Share how traditional healing methods can be incorporated to enhance TVA programs and why spirituality support in victim services is important to offer.

v Develop the skills to respond to mass or critical incidents in tribal communities and explore how cultural practices can help communities heal from mass/critical incidents.

v Develop skills and knowledge for improved response to child sexual abuse in Indian Country.

v Increase knowledge and skills to respond to elder abuse in AI/AN communities.

v Increase knowledge and self-help skills to respond to vicarious trauma, which is a job hazard for advocates as they work with victims of crime.

v Increase knowledge and skills to respond to domestic violence and sexual assault.

v Develop the skills and knowledge to better understand and recognize stalking, cyber crimes related to stalking and specifically how stalking shows itself in Indian Country.

v Participants will learn about the new victims division within the Bureau of Indians Affairs and that will enhance their tribal victims programs.

v Share TVA best practices incorporating culture and traditions with service delivery and how to communicate these practices in required progress reports.

v Through the Enviable Life session, participants will be invited to envision what they want the lives of their victims and their programs to look like and how to create this vision to come true.