On April 10, 2008, author and journalist Dominick Dunne will deliver remarks at OVC’s National Observance and Candlelight Ceremony. On April 11, 2008, the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Service Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service for victims. Register by April 7, 2008, to attend the awards ceremony. Both events are free and open to the public. (OVC)

In recognition of National Youth Violence Prevention Week (March 31 to April 4, 2008), NCJRS has created a Youth Violence Special Feature. This special feature contains publications and resources concerning gun violence, violence in schools, youth gang activity, and the prevention of youth violence. Links to research and statistics related to youth violence are also included. (NCJRS)

Technology Integration Scholarships will be provided for selected practitioners to attend the triennial meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences, which will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 21-26, 2008. Apply for the scholarship by April 15, 2008. (BJA)

In recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, OVC will host a Web Forum Guest Host Session on April 16, 2008, on best practices for providing online hotline services to crime victims. Join Penelope Hughes, Vice President of Online Services at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, at 2 p.m. ET for the live discussion. (OVC)

Application deadline: Open (Contingent upon fund availability)
Helping Outreach Programs to Expand (HOPE) grant awards help recipients improve their outreach and services to crime victims. Funds may be used by grassroots, nonprofit, community-based, and faith-based victim services organizations and coalitions to develop programs, aid networking, build coalitions, and deliver services. (OVC)

Application deadline: April 23, 2008
The Bulletproof Vest Partnership, created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998, is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource for state and local law enforcement. Apply for funds to cover 50 percent of the cost of vests. (BJA)

Application deadline: April 24, 2008
OVC is accepting applications through the Intensive Case Management for Family Members of Homicide Victims program. Two cooperative agreements, up to $200,000 each, will be awarded to identify and replicate promising practices for comprehensive services to homicide survivors. (OVC)

Application deadline: May 6, 2008
Through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, BJA funds projects to increase public safety by facilitating collaboration among the criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health treatment, and substance abuse systems to increase access to treatment for offenders with mental illness. (BJA)

Application deadline: April 14, 2008
OVC has released two new grants to support crime victims in Indian Country. Apply today to receive funding to offer counseling and faith-based services or provide training and technical assistance. (OVC)

“NIJ Journal Issue No. 259 ” (NCJ 221500, 44 pp.) features a lead article that discusses how crime scene investigation television programs impact juror decisionmaking during trials. Additional articles explore results of two voice stress analysis programs, software defined radio systems, prison rape prevalence and prevention research, and reasons why two evaluations of the same prisons yielded different results. (NIJ)

The Community Policing Dispatch, the monthly e-newsletter from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, educates readers about criminal justice issues affecting community policing.  April articles include designing policing buildings with community policing in mind, the COPS Secure Our Schools Program, and implementing community policing in tribal law enforcement agencies. (COPS)

“Title V Community Prevention Grants Program: 2004-2005 Report to Congress” (NCJ 215559, 31 pp.) reviews the background of the Title V program; highlights state, local, and federal activities in 2004 and 2005; and outlines OJJDP’s plans for enhancing the impact of Title V funds. (OJJDP)

“What Works: Effective Public Health Responses to Drug Use” (NCJ 221741, 15 pp.) highlights several of the cost-effective, research-tested demand reduction initiatives that have proven successful in the United States and that could be beneficial to others countries seeking to address their drug abuse challenges. (ONDCP)

In addition to National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 13-19, 2008), National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month are also observed in April. OVC invites you to add your commemorative events for all three to the OVC National Calendar of Crime Victim Assistance-Related Events. This resource helps you locate, plan, and promote victim assistance-related events nationwide to connect with a larger audience and gain national exposure. (OVC)

MethResources.gov offers resources for a variety of audiences. This Web site includes links to publications, conference information, programs, funding resources/opportunities, training and technical assistance events/resources, policies/protocols, legislation, and related information. (ONDCP)

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is introducing two new tools to help your organization reach teens in the community and help them remain above the influence of drugs. The tools include a new customizable print advertisement and an opportunity for teens to submit their videos about how they stay above the influence. (ONDCP)

ONDCP will host a Student Drug Testing Summit on April 24, 2008, in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Experts in the field will present on topics such as legal concerns, policy development, the importance of student assistance, and drug testing technology. (ONDCP)

OVC is accepting applications for the National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA). The 2008 Academy will be held May 4-9, 2008, at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (OVC)

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute has established two Certificate Programs--one for individuals and one for multijurisdictional teams--intended to advance multisystem efforts to enhance outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. (OJJDP)

On June 23-26, 2008, OJJDP will hold its Youth Gang Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. Addressing the theme “Partnering to Prevent Youth Gang Violence: From Faith- and Community-Based Organizations to Law Enforcement," the symposium will offer innovative gang-related strategies and the latest information on youth gang activities. Register by April 30, 2008, to receive a discount rate. (OJJDP)

Thinking for a Change Facilitator Training is a 32-hour advanced level training program that will prepare participants to facilitate offender groups using the “Thinking for a Change” cognitive skills development program. The training, designed for probation, parole, counselors, and other staff responsible for leading offender groups, will be held on April 21-24, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (NIC)

Register for OVC’s upcoming training workshops, including Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training, April 29-30, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Providing Culturally Competent Services to Victims of Crime, September 16-18, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska. To view course descriptions and learning objectives or to register, visit the OVC TTAC Web site. (OVC)