NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, is pleased to announce that it has recently received funding from the National Association of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Assistance Administrators (NAVAA). The funding is being provided through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice, to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, taking place from April 21-27, 2024. This year’s theme for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “How Would You Help? Options, services and hope for crime survivors.”
The funding will be used to underwrite a panel discussion titled, “How We Help,” on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 6 p.m. at Bucks County Community College, 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA in the Gallagher Room. With the observance of Passover in mind, this program will conclude prior to sunset. To register, visit novabucks.org/events.
The panel discussion will explore the multi-disciplinary network of services that work to help victims and prevent crime in Bucks County. It will feature representatives from area organizations that provide key services in support of crime victims, including:
- Stephanie Shantz, Victim Advocate Coordinator, NOVA
- Brittney M. Kern, Deputy District Attorney, Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
- Dante Montella, Detective, Bucks County Detectives
- Lindsay Cooper & Valerie Egley, Bucks County Children and Youth Services
- A victim or survivor of crime who will discuss their experience and the services/support they received.
“Victims need to know that they can access services that they are entitled to and that they have a team to support them,” said Stephanie Shantz, Victim Advocate Coordinator, NOVA. “By attending to the panel discussion, crime victims will gain an understanding of how Bucks County’s multi-disciplinary team can provide them with the right kind of help for their particular situation.”
NOVA was one of 105 organizations recommended by NAVAA and selected for funding by OVC for 2024 from the 223 applications that were submitted nationwide. NAVAA is a non-profit organization that represents the 56 state agencies that distribute money from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Crime Victims Fund to more than 4,000 direct victim assistance service providers. The money in the Crime Victims Fund comes from fines collected from offenders convicted of federal crimes, not from U.S. taxpayers.
About NOVA
NOVA supports and empowers victims of crime in Bucks County and works to prevent violence through training, advocacy, and prevention education. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.
About National Association of Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Administrators
In 2001, representatives of state VOCA victim assistance administrative agencies formed the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to advance education, research, and public service to assure accessible quality services for crime victims nationwide, to strengthen exchange of information and communication among its members and to provide its members with training and technical assistance to effectively respond to the issues and challenges of supporting those services. To learn more, go to navaa.org
