NIC is offering podcasts to inform practitioners in the corrections field about important issues. Current podcasts include information on the Maryland State Department of Education Re-entry Mobile Unit, Felix Mata's (Program Administrator for US Probation) focus on workforce development and re-entry, and activities of the National Correctional Industries Association. (NIC)

On March 12, 2008, at 2 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime will host a Web Forum Guest Host Session on ethical practices in victim services. Join Melissa Hook, Executive Director of the District of Columbia Office of Victim Services and author of "Ethics in Victim Services," for the live discussion. (OVC)

Display a constant reminder that National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) is fast approaching - April 13-19, 2008. Download the newest screensaver in the gallery promoting NCVRW. Show your support for victims' rights and carry the event theme "Justice for VICTIMS. Justice for ALL." to your desktop. (OVC)

During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2008), NCJRS invites you to review the Fraud Awareness Special Feature and the Internet Safety Special Feature to view information on the topics and learn how you can protect yourself from being victimized. (NCJRS)

In anticipation of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 13-19, 2008, OVC encourages you to download and display banner ads on your Web site. Visit the banner gallery to choose your favorite and link to the NCVRW Web page. (OVC)

Application deadline: April 4, 2008
NIC is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement for the development phase of a new initiative, "Evidence Based Decision Making for Local Criminal Justice Systems.” The initiative's goal is to establish and test links between local criminal justice decisions and the application of human and organizational change principles to achieve reduction of pretrial misconduct and postconviction reoffending. (NIC)

Application deadline: April 1, 2008
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is seeking to add up to six additional sites to its Reclaiming Futures program. The program enhances the capacity of juvenile courts to provide youth who enter the justice system because of drug and alcohol offenses with an appropriate response that matches accountability with overcoming addiction. (OJJDP)

ONDCP, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, has announced the availability of $1.2 million for new Drug-Free Communities Support Mentoring Program  grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions. (ONDCP)

Application deadline: April 4, 2008
Funding for the Convicted Offender and/or Arrestee DNA Backlog Reduction Program is open to states with designated existing and accredited DNA database laboratories to reduce the backlog of DNA database samples. Backlog reductions should be achieved through in-house analysis, testing by accredited fee-for-service laboratories, or data review of sample profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory. (NIJ)

The Office of Justice Programs, in partnership with several federal agencies, is sponsoring three Tribal Justice & Safety events: Government-to-Government Consultation, Training and Technical Assistance, and a National Tribal Symposium on Sex Offender Management and Accountability. The next session will be held March 5-7, 2008, in Washington, DC. (OJP)

On April 10, 2008, accomplished author and investigative 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. Visit the NCVRW Web page for more information. (OVC)

The 2008 National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) will be held May 4-9, 2008, in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit the OVC TTAC Web site for more information and to be added to the mailing list. (OVC)

OJJDP will hold two conferences on Accessing and Sustaining Resources for Community and Faith-Based Organizations. The first conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 19-20, 2008, and the second will be held in Los Angeles, California, on April 1-2, 2008. Early registration is recommended because space is limited. (OJJDP)

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)

The Countering Terrorism through Technology, Minimal Force and Less Lethal Options conference, sponsored in part by NIJ, will be held May 21-23, 2008, in Orlando, Florida. The objective of the conference is to enhance the collective ability of law enforcement to resolve critical incidents and potentially violent encounters while increasing both public and officer safety and safeguarding civil liberties. (NIJ)

Register now for OVC's upcoming training workshops, including Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor Training, April 29-30, 2008, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma, August 19-20, 2008, in Spokane, Washington. To view course descriptions and learning objectives or to register, visit the OVC TTAC Web Site. (OVC)