Pennsylvania's Pathways for Victim Services Conference provides an opportunity for victim services providers and allied professionals to join for national keynote speakers, informative workshops, networking opportunities and the presentation of the Governor's Victim Service Pathfinder Awards.

To register for the conference: Pathways for Victim Services Conference Registration

You will receive notice when the conference app is launched so you can select your workshops!

Hotel Rooms are available at Kalahari Resort:

Standard rooms are at the discounted rate of $107/night and the includes the Resort Fee. (This is normally an additional $44.99 per night)

For additional questions, please contact the Pathways Conference Team at:

RA-CD-Pathfinder@pa.gov

2025 Pathways Agenda and Workshops

Attention VOJO Programs - VOJO Funds Can Be Used Until December 31, 2025

Recipients of Fiscal Year 2024 VOJO (VJ) funds, denoted on your Award Letter as:

2024 VJ Award Amount $ XX

2024 VJ Project Period 1/1/2025-6/30/2025

Grantees are able to spend the VOJO funds throughout the January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, project period. Grantees do not need to submit Projection Modification Requests (PMR’s) to avoid a lapse in unspent VOJO funds. Additionally, grantees are not required to submit an interim fiscal report for Outstanding Subgrantee Obligations.

We apologize for any previous confusion this may have caused.

If you have any questions, please contact your fiscal or program contact listed on your grant. 

We've Been Thinking About Gun Violence All Wrong

By using behavioral economics tools—many of which are proven, and low-cost—we can stop most of gun violence before it starts.

Please click here to read.

How Survivors Get Falsely Accused Of Domestic Violence

The U.S. justice system can fail survivors, and false accusations may become another form of abuse.

Please click here to read.

Investigating A True Crime Wave

True crime shows are surging in popularity - especially among women. But can shows about murder be ethical?

Please click here to read.

States Step Up Violence Prevention As Washington Pulls Back

Following the closure of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, states are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of countering the crisis.

Please click here to read.

Understanding Stress Vs. Trauma

This resource highlights the differences between stress and trauma by explaining their unique causes, effects, and timelines, helping caregivers, educators, and providers respond with the appropriate support

Please click here to access.

Overview Of Three Centers

Following mass violence incidents (MVIs), it is encouraged that three different types of helpful Resource Centers be established by community and law enforcement leaders, and victim service and behavioral/mental health professionals.

Please click here to read.

Consolidated Standards Training Videos

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 Service Program Standards webpage, with the latest video, Individual Advocacy, now available.

RASA/VOJO Regional Meetings

The Office of Victims Services (OVS) is pleased to announce two (2) regional meeting opportunities as a part of our 2025 Quarterly Meeting series for staff working within the Rights and Services Act (RASA) and Victims of Juvenile Offenders (VOJO) funding streams. All advocates and staff connected RASA and VOJO program(s) are welcome to attend. These meetings offer opportunities to meet and network with colleague advocates and staff, to learn more about RASA and VOJO supported activities in other counties, and relevant topics and common questions associated with procedural services.

These meetings count toward PCCD/OVS annual training requirements for RASA/VOJO Project Staff. 

Eastern Region Meeting

Thursday, June 26, 2025                                                   

9:30am-12:30pm

Event will be held at the Penn State-Berks Campus: 1801 Broadcasting Road, Reading, PA 19610

Questions? OVS Contact for this meeting is: Emily Ruzicka at emruzicka@pa.gov or (717) 265-8451

Registration for the Eastern Regional Meeting at the Berks County location will close June 12th.

Please click here to register.

Western Region Meeting

Thursday, August 14,2025

10:00 am-1:00 pm

Event will be held at the Copper Cork Event Center: 512 Arnold Avenue, Clearfield, PA 16830

Questions? OVS Contact for this meeting is: Maria Katulis at mkatulis@pa.gov or (717) 265-8741

Registration for the Western Region Meeting/Clearfield Co. location will open on July 1^st and close on July 31^st. A separate communication and registration link will be sent out for Western Region Meeting on July1st.

Note: Registration occurs on a first come, first serve basis with a maximum of twenty-five (25) participants allotted for each meeting. Registrants will be notified by email of a confirmed reservation along with other meeting logistics and details. OVS will create a participant waitlist in the event of cancellations.