COLORADO ORGANIZATION FOR VICTIM ASSISTANCE

COVA can help you meet your training needs! We currently offer several trainings for professionals and volunteers working with victims of crime and trauma. For COVA Organizational Members, there is no charge for the training!   We also offer COVA Hosted Trainings for COVA members, free of charge! There is a small charge for non-members.

This project will assure the appropriate and accurate identification of human trafficking victims in Colorado through awareness and information activities, as well as through the development and implementation of statewide human trafficking training initiatives. This project will assure the development and coordinated use of a comprehensive, statewide VSPN capable of meeting the unique needs of human trafficking victims including, but not limited to: case management, interpretation, food, clothing, shelter, emergency medical assessment and treatment, legal/immigration assistance, mental health treatment, dental care, and transportation. COVA is also responsible for managing the Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking (CoNEHT), which is a collaborative network of agencies that provide services to trafficking victims and is working to improve response services and resources throughout the state. Any agency that has provided, or is interested in providing, services to a victim of human trafficking is encouraged to contact the Project Manager about working with CoNEHT. CoNEHT runs a 24-hour hotline. This hotline can be used for an emergency line for victims to call directly, a line to request trainings or information about human trafficking, and a tip line for community members to leave information about a suspected trafficking situation.

On April 19, 2006, the COVA Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion to establish a voluntary victim advocate certification program. The Board considered and adopted a proposal submitted by the COVA Committee on Credentialing, made up of representatives from both system and non-system agencies, which had been meeting for over a year to debate, discuss, and define the parameters and substance of the certification program. The Certification Program will provide the opportunity for many in the victim services field to gain voluntary certification status through COVA. It will encourage and recognize those that have achieved years of experience and training, while honoring the service and training of part-time and volunteer advocates. Please read through the following information and download the applications located at the bottom of this page.

The Program consists of three levels of certification -- basic, intermediate, and advanced.