The Office for Victims of Crime has implemented the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP). ITVERP was authorized by Congress to reimburse eligible direct victims of acts of international terrorism that occur outside the United States for expenses associated with that victimization. (OVC)

September 2008 is the 19th Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. This year’s theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery" recognizes individuals and families that have overcome addiction in all its forms and acknowledges the individuals in the criminal justice and social services sectors who help bring recovery to those in need. (BJA)

Application deadline: August 21, 2008
BJA is seeking applications for the Drug Market Intervention (DMI) Initiative: Team Training Request for Commitment grant. Each site team (composed of a law enforcement official, local prosecutor, community leader, and social services provider) will be visited by a BJA technical assistance provider and will have ongoing support to help teams adapt the DMI model to their local context. (BJA)

"Highlights of the 2006 National Youth Gang Survey" (FS 200805, 2 pp.) summarizes findings from the 2006 survey and reports data on the number of gangs, gang members, and gang-related crime. It is estimated that approximately 26,500 gangs and 785,000 gang members were active in the United States in 2006. (OJJDP)

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has released "America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2008." The Forum has published this annual child welfare report since 1997, alternating between a comprehensive report and a condensed version highlighting selected indicators, as is the case this year. (OJJDP)

"HOPE in Hawaii: Swift and Sure Changes in Probation" (NCJ 222758, 2 pp.) describes a new program called Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE). This fact sheet discusses why HOPE was started and how it affects probationers and the court system, and provides some preliminary findings from the program. (NIJ)

The lead article in "NIJ Journal No. 260" (NCJ 222899, 32 pp.) examines the geographic relationship between the locations where four types of terrorists lived, prepared, and attacked. Additional articles discuss multiagency response to the 2005 bombings in London, cold case resources, processing of DNA samples, and "internationalizing" criminal justice research through information sharing. (NIJ)

ONDCP has released "2008 Marijuana Sourcebook-Marijuana: The Greatest Cause of Illegal Drug Abuse" (NCJ 233488, 28 pp.). The Sourcebook contains important data on marijuana in the United States including the latest use patterns and trends, health effects, criminal justice aspects, supply sources, and information regarding so-called "medical marijuana." (ONDCP)

"Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor NIJ Standard-0101.06" (NCJ 223054, 89 pp.) establishes minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armor designed to protect the torso against gunfire. The standard, limited to ballistic resistance only, reviews National Institute of Justice body armor classifications, explains requirements, and discusses test methods. (NIJ)

"Sex Offender Residency Restrictions: How Mapping Can Inform Policy" (NCJ 222759, 2 pp.) provides information on sex offender residency laws and how they affect communities, law enforcement, and the sex offenders themselves. This fact sheet also describes how Geographic Information Systems can help officials and legislators evaluate the impact of sex offender residency laws in their communities. (NIJ)

The Office of National Drug Control Policy's Spanish-language version of the "National Drug Control Strategy 2008" (NCJ 222985, 84 pp.) highlights the historic declines in drug use achieved over the past 7 years and encapsulates the many drug policy successes that are the result of concerted efforts at the local, state, federal, and international levels. (ONDCP)

Victim Assistance Training Online (VAT Online) is an OVC Web-based course for victim service providers. This program offers professionals an opportunity to acquire basic skills and knowledge to assist victims of crime effectively and sensitively. It also includes specific information to meet the needs of target populations. (OVC)

Download and print transcripts of past Guest Host Sessions from the OVC HELP for Victim Service Providers Web Forum. The new transcript feature, located at the top of each session's discussion page, allows easy access to the full-length questions and answers. For future information about updates to the OVC Web Forum, subscribe to the Web Forum E-Alert Listserv. (OVC)

On August 13, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime will host a Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for implementing the knowledge and skills obtained by attending the National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA). Join NVAA senior faculty member Mario Gaboury, J.D., Ph.D., and Christine Edmunds, NVAA cofounder, for the live discussion. (OVC)