In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, OVC is offering a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for implementing pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs. Join Lucia Zuniga, Director of the Massachusetts SANE Program, and Joan Meunier-Sham, Associate Director of the Massachusetts Pediatric SANE Program on April 23, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET for the discussion. (OVC)

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2008), NCJRS has created a Child Abuse Special Feature. This special feature includes links to publications and resources related to child abuse, the prevention of child abuse, and agency responses to the victims of child abuse. (NCJRS)

ONDCP has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and the National Congress of American Indians to launch the American Indian Anti-Meth Campaign, the first anti-meth public service campaign targeted for American Indian and Native Alaskan populations. (ONDCP)

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: May 15, 2008
BJA is seeking applicants for its Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Training and Technical Assistance Program to provide comprehensive technical assistance services and develop uniform protocols for the assessment and delivery of technical assistance, tracking, and evaluation. (BJA)

Application deadline: May 1, 2008
OVC invites applicants for the Postsecondary Education: Integrating Crime Victims' Issues Into University and College Curricula solicitation. This program will award one grant of $300,000 to develop innovative, interdisciplinary education models addressing victimization issues that can be integrated into university or college curricula and faculty development. Eligible applicants include private nonprofit, faith-based, or state consortiums of institutions of higher education. (OVC)

Application deadline: May 15, 2008
The goal of the Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program is to help eligible states and units of local government reduce forensic DNA sample turnaround time, increase the throughput of public DNA laboratories, and reduce DNA forensic casework backlogs. (NIJ)

Application deadline: April 29, 2008
OVC is accepting applications for State Victim Assistance Academy (SVAA) grants to develop SVAAs in states where one does not yet exist. Five first-year awards of $35,000 are available for this 3-year project. For more information about these and other OVC grants and funding opportunities, visit OVC’s home page. (OVC)

"Resource Guide for Serving U.S. Citizens Victimized Abroad" (NCJ 221889) will help victim service providers in the United States enhance their services to these individuals. This online publication will help service providers develop strategic plans and ensure that key personnel, resources, and protocols are in place for effective assistance. (OVC)

"Faith-Based Responses to Crime Victims" (NCJ 216616) is a 30-minute DVD spotlighting successful faith community/victim services field partnerships. These promising practices are intended to inspire the two communities to collaborate effectively to expand their victim service networks. (OVC)

"Building a State Victim Assistance Academy-Vermont’s Experience" (NCJ 221684) describes the state’s experience in developing its academy. This online bulletin provides information about useful strategies for designing, pilot testing, and implementing this educational opportunity. The advent of the OVC-funded State Victim Assistance Academies is one way OVC supports knowledge and skills advancement of victim service professionals. (OVC)

"Sting Operations" (NCJ 220724, 72 pp.), a COPS Office Response Guide, takes a broad approach to crime types and the sting operations that target them. This guide will help law enforcement agencies decide whether a sting operation is the correct response by reviewing benefits and negative consequences. (COPS)

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

“Responding to Victims of Human Trafficking: A Training Video for Victim Service Providers” (NCJ 219179) will help service providers better assist those who have been affected by this crime. The 20-minute DVD discusses the need for the victim services field to work collaboratively with communities and organizations that serve trafficking victims. (OVC)

“First Response to Victims of Crime" is a multimedia package produced by the National Sheriffs’ Association. It examines the impact of crime on victims and describes how law enforcement, as first responders, can meet victims’ needs. A video in VHS (NCJ 211618, 30 minutes)  and DVD (NCJ 211619, 30 minutes)   formats and a guidebook (NCJ 217272, 104 pp.)  are available. (OVC)

“Geography & Public Safety" (NCJ 221941, 16 pp.) is a new quarterly publication produced by NIJ and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Bulletin topics include mapping, problem analysis, and other issues pertaining to the geography of crime. (NIJ & COPS)

“Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities” (NCJ 220725, 108 pp.), a Problem-Specific Guide for Police from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, examines pedestrian-vehicle crashes, reviews factors that cause such crashes, provides questions to help police analyze the local problem, and reviews responses and what is known from evaluative research and police practice. (COPS)

The new COPS CD-ROM “Recruitment, Hiring, and Retention Resources for Law Enforcement" (NCJ 221557) contains descriptions of and links to resources from the COPS Office, other Department of Justice divisions, and law enforcement organizations that will help police chiefs and sheriffs find, train, and retain qualified staff. (COPS)

On August 26-28, 2008, the National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The National Children's Advocacy Center, the conference sponsor, has issued a Call for Papers. Workshop applications must be received by April 25. (OJJDP)

This year's NIJ Conference will include eight crime mapping panels and multiple juvenile-related topics, including commercial sexual exploitation of children, school-based prevention programs, bullying, and a youth gang research and best practices panel organized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Register to receive conference updates. (NIJ)

On July 16-18, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri, BJA will host the G.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference. Goals include preventing youth crime, violence, and gang involvement; developing positive relationships with youth; and improving the delivery of the middle school curriculum, elementary school curriculum, summer program, and G.R.E.A.T. Families program. (BJA)

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 to receive a discount rate. (OJJDP)

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)

On May 19-20, 2008, in Denver, Colorado, the National Center for School Engagement will conduct the training course Evaluating Your Truancy Reduction Program. The interactive course is drawn from practical training experience and lessons learned about truancy reduction. Registration is available after April 15, 2008. (OJJDP)