BJA's goal is to dialog with you about the latest developments in the field, new initiatives, funding opportunities, upcoming training sessions and conferences, and other related subjects. Please use the new feedback form to submit comments about the redesigned Web site and suggestions for new or improved content. (BJA)

September 25, 2009, is the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. To commemorate this observance, Parents of Murdered Children, Inc., Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc., are sponsoring a symposium on September 25 in Washington, DC, to honor victims and their courageous survivors. A candlelight ceremony will follow the symposium. Call 1-800-438-6233 to register to attend these events. (OVC)

Application deadline: September 30, 2009
OVC is accepting nominations for the 2010 National Crime Victims' Service Awards via the online nomination form. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. The honorees will be announced just before National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 18-24, 2010) commences. (OVC)

"Avoiding Failures of Implementation: Lessons from Process Evaluations" examines failures that occur during the implementation of new initiatives. This paper also seeks to identify common sources of failure and to develop a fundamental list of considerations that may help criminal justice reformers avoid future pitfalls. (BJA)

"Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2008 - Statistical Tables" describes the number and outcome of applications for firearm transfers or permits subject to background checks. (BJS)

The National Institute of Corrections has posted its Fiscal Year 2010 Adult Service Plan, “Technical Assistance, Information, and Training for Adult Corrections, October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010” (ACCN 023761, 128 pp.). This service plan presents the training programs, technical assistance opportunities, and information services available for correctional executives and practitioners working in federal, state, and local adult correctional agencies. (NIC)

"Communication and Public Health Emergencies: A Guide for Law Enforcement" summarizes the goals, principles, and strategies for developing a communication plan, with an emphasis on the importance of risk communications. It discusses the factors that influence an individual's perception of risk and how officials can manage fear and provide information to residents during a public health emergency. (BJA)

"PREA Data Collection Activities, 2009" (NCJ 227377, 2 pp.) reports the BJS activities, as required by the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), to carry out, for each calendar year, a comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape. (BJS)

"Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence" provides practical information on recognizing signs of children's exposure to violence and advice on helping children who have been exposed. The guide, published through OJJDP's Safe Start Center, is available in English and Spanish. (OJJDP)

The latest issue of "SMART Watch" (NCJ 227926) announces that Linda M. Baldwin has been appointed as the new director of the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). It also includes articles on the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, SMART's 2009 national symposium, and current grant activities. (OJP)

The latest issue of OJJDP News @ a Glance reports on recommendations for enhancing the dependency court process for tribal children. It also includes articles on OJJDP's National Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Conference, a Tribal Youth Program field trip, and the visit of foreign delegations to OJJDP. (OJJDP)

On August 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will present a Web Forum Guest Host Session on serving homeless victims of sexual assault. Join Jessy Haywood, community educator and trainer at the Center for Women and Families, and Katya Fels Smyth, founder of the Full Frame Initiative and On the Rise, Inc., for the discussion. (OVC)

The OVC conference on Mass Casualty and Violence at Home and Abroad - OVC Assisting Victims of Crime will be held October 19-21, 2009, in Arlington, Virginia. The conference will bring together first responders, victim service professionals, policymakers, and experts in mass violence. The deadline for registration is September 28, 2009. (OVC)

Scholarship application deadline: September 1, 2009
The National Professional Training Conference on Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities will be held September 30 to October 2, 2009, in Denver, Colorado. A limited number of individual scholarships of up to $1,000 are available. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will present the first findings about nonfatal violent and property crime experienced by persons with disabilities drawn from the National Crime Victimization Survey. (OVC)

Register for OVC's upcoming training workshops, including Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma, September 2-3, 2009, in Atlanta, Georgia, and Enforcing Victims' Rights, September 29-30, 2009, in Providence, Rhode Island. To view course descriptions and learning objectives or to register, visit the OVC TTAC Web site. (OVC)

On August 24-25, 2009, in Baltimore, Maryland, the National Association of Youth Courts will conduct its regional Share, Learn, and Connect Regional Training Conference. Topics that will be addressed include building relationships with schools, data collection and evaluation, and sustainable funding. (OJJDP)

On October 28-30, 2009, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, OJJDP's Girls Study Group will conduct an Evaluation Technical Assistance Workshop. The workshop will equip organizations to evaluate their gender-responsive delinquency prevention and intervention programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of girls. (OJJDP)