Revised Consolidated Program Standards

On February 10, 2026, the Victim Services Advisory committee approved updates to the PCCD Consolidated Victims Service Standards.

The updates affect the following Standard:

Cultural Responsiveness Standard

The Standard has been revised to reflect that two Program Requirements are moved to Striving for Excellence as best practices:

• Implement an assessment tool to gauge the cultural responsiveness of the organization; and
• Post-services client surveys, outside of the VS3 survey may be developed and distributed. Note: The VS3 does assess the victim's comfort with service provision to include cultural considerations.

The updated standard reaffirms cultural responsiveness as a core responsibility across all organizational levels, reiterating the requirement for all funded staff and volunteers to complete at least one hour of professional cultural responsiveness training annually.

All VSPs who have OVS has their oversight entity will be required to have updated policies and procedures with this standard as of April 1,2026.

The "Changes" page within the OVS Consolidated Standards details the updates with additional information.

Inquiries regarding updates may be directed to Heather Cureau, OVS Program Supervisor, by emailing hcureau@pa.gov or by calling (717) 265-8712.

Consolidated Standards Training Video

Pennsylvania has long been considered a leader when it comes to the OVS Consolidated Standards, in their design to deliver quality services and programming led by skilled advocates and staff.

To better inform the field, OVS has launched a series of recordings that walk program staff through each of the standards. These are short recordings, up to thirty (30) minutes in length. Each recording counts toward OVS annual training requirements. Staff may listen to any number of recordings as they are released.

All videos can be found on PCCD's Consolidated Victim Services Program Standards webpage, with the latest video, Criminal or Juvenile Case Status Standard, now available.

Child Abuse Deaths Spur Clash Over Homeschool Regulation

As homeschool enrollment has risen in recent years, so have concerns about oversight.

Please click here to read.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February 'Real Love Respects' campaign educates young people on how healthy relationships should feel.

Please click here to access.

Jury's Decision In Uber Sex Assault Case May Have Broad Effect

Uber sexual assault trial verdict could shape other lawsuits.

Please click here to read.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This SAAM preview webinar offers a look at Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026, marking the movements 25th anniversary.

Please click here to access.

OVC FY 25 Funding Opportunities To Combat Human Trafficking

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, is pleased to announce the following Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). 

We encourage you to review the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and visit the JustGrants Application Submission Training page to find step-by-step instructions to guide you through the entire funding application process. 

OVC FY25 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: February 24; JustGrants: March 3 

This NOFO will develop or enhance prevention and early intervention services for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, sex and/or labor trafficking.  

OVC FY25 Housing Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: February 24; JustGrants: March 3 

This NOFO will provide funding for housing and support services to victims of human trafficking. The primary focus of this program is to provide transitional housing and supportive services that assist human trafficking victims in moving as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieving stability.  

OVC FY25 Specialized Human Trafficking Assistance: Supporting Survivor Engagement in Anti-Trafficking Programming

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: February 24; JustGrants: March 3 

This NOFO will assist OVC-funded anti-trafficking grantees in ensuring meaningful engagement with and successful outcomes for survivors of human trafficking. Applicants should propose approaches that help build the capacity of anti-trafficking grantees to identify and partner with survivors in their local community, state, or region. 

 OVC FY25 Integrated Services for Minor Victims of Human Trafficking

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: February 24; JustGrants: March 3 

This NOFO will support programs to enhance the availability, quality, and delivery of services tailored to the developmental stages and needs of young (minor) victims of human trafficking. 

OVC FY25 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: March 11; JustGrants: March 18 

This NOFO will support jurisdictions to develop and expand a multidisciplinary, collaborative task force approach to better respond to human trafficking through increased victim identification, service provision, and case investigations.  

 OVC FY25 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: March 11; JustGrants: March 18 

This NOFO will develop, expand, and strengthen victim service programs for victims of all forms of human trafficking throughout the United States and its territories. This program provides funding for comprehensive and specialized services for victims of all forms of human trafficking and is intended for victim services programs serving adults or a combination of adults and minors/youth. 

OVC FY25 Improving Outcomes for Child and Youth Victims of Human Trafficking

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Grants.gov: March 11; JustGrants: March 18 

This NOFO will develop, enhance, and coordinate programs and activities geared toward improving outcomes for child and youth victims of sex and labor trafficking.  

States Move To Ban NDA's That Silence Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse

Critics of the nondisclosure agreements say that they have protected abusers and institutions for decades.

Please click here to read.

Taking A Closer Walk With Stigma And Mental Health During Black History Month

Each year February is recognized as Black History Month. This year's theme is " A Century of Black History Commemorations", as we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the observance, focusing on its impact on identity, pride, equality, and encouraging exploration of Black life and history's role in transforming the modern world. It is a time of reflection.

Please click here to read.

Dating Violence 101

February 23, 2026

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

This webinar will:

Explore dating violence dynamics within teen and youth relationships.

Unpack the impacts of violence on Black teens and youth specifically, and the Black community at large.

Design a roadmap of culturally specific strategies and programmatic concepts that have been successful when engaging teens and youth.

Please click here to register.

Building A Framework for Healthy Victim Service Organizations

February 25, 2026

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

This webinar will translate research and field insights into practical approaches that support workforces, strengthen policies, and enhance partnerships.

Please click here to register.

2026 Stronger Connections Conference

March 17-20 | King of Prussia

Receive actionable strategies to support a comprehensive approach to school safety, climate, and student wellbeing. Leave inspired and equipped to take school safety and climate to the next level!

The conference provides advanced and focused professional development for school administrators, educators, school safety coordinators, school resource officers, law enforcement partners, mental health providers, and youth violence prevention partners.

Please click here to register.

PA Prosecution Conference On Domestic And Sexual Violence

March 24 & 25, 2026

State College

The Pennsylvania Prosecution Conference on Domestic and Sexual Violence is a free two-day interactive course designed to challenge participants to re-evaluate their approach to prosecuting domestic violence and sexual assault. The Conference is grounded in a multidisciplinary, victim-centered response to domestic and sexual violence, and encourages participants to expand their concept of justice in these cases by balancing victim autonomy with offender accountability and community safety.

Please note that PCAR and PCADV have a limited amount of funds to reimburse training attendees for the two-night stay at The Graduate Hotel on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, this Conference will be eligible for 12 Pennsylvania CLE credits, including 1 Ethics Credit.

If you would like to receive more information on this Conference, including the registration information once it becomes available, please reach out to Marli Mayon, PCAR Training Projects Coordinator at mmayon@pcar-respecttogether.org.

The Conference provides an opportunity to discuss and deepen learning on leading-edge victim's rights issues.

Join us as we explore topics like: the history of the victims' rights movement, financial wellness as a victim right, intersections of military and civilian justice, victim privacy in high profile cases, digital dangers, and much more.

Please click here to register.

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Please click here for current employment opportunities.