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, Emergency Shelter Standard, now available.

Ways To Revisit And Strengthen Our Boundaries When The News Is Unavoidable And Retraumatizing

We are living in a time of never-ending access to a firehouse of information. How do we avoid getting knocked down by the information firehouse?

Please click here to read.

These Moving Companies Offer Free Moves To Domestic Violence Victims

Getting out of an abusive relationship is vital, yet packing up and moving out is more than daunting, thanks to an independently owned moving company, it's much easier - and doesn't cost a dime.

Please click here to read.

The Fight to Protect Women And Girls Online

For those whose social lives are online, the risk of technology-facilitated harassment - including deepfakes, unsolicited sexual images, and nonconsensual sharing of intimate content - can mirror the psychological and emotional harm seen in offline abusive relationships.

Please click here to read.

Hospital Programs For Violence Victims Can Prevent Future Harm

Regular engagement with violence intervention programs can halve likelihood of being revictimized or committing violence.

Please click here to read.

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 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.  

Just Tech

Just Tech, provides practical, accessible training and technical assistance to criminal justice professionals on the investigation and prosecution of online abuse - including doxing, image exploitation, and cyberstalking. Targeting prosecutors and law enforcement officers, Just Tech aims to increase the likelihood of positive case outcomes and victim experiences.

Please click here to access.

Bridging The Gaps

See the results of a trauma-informed needs assessment, used to identify emerging issues and promising practices in sexual assault response and prevention, training and support needs, and service demands for sexual assault survivors.  

Please click here to access.

Basically Ghosted: Why Survivors 'Disappear' and What That Really Means

Survivors are often mislabeled as "ghosting" services when, in fact, systems fail them first.

Please click here to read.

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.

Please click here for current employment opportunities.

Please click here for current employment opportunities.