The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is pleased to announce that registration for the Introduction to the Victims Crisis Assistance and Response Team (VCART) training is now open for all school superintendents, emergency managers, K-12 and campus administrators, hospital emergency management staff, law enforcement, and crisis team members.Is your emergency plan updated and in compliance with Virginia law? Do you know what services and resources are available to victims following a criminal mass casualty event? Do you know how to access assistance after a traumatic event?
The VCART program assists victims following a criminal mass casualty event or critical incident. DCJS, through VCART, is codified to coordinate victim response efforts at schools, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and local political subdivisions under Code of Virginia § 44-146.18, § 23.1-804, § 22.1-279.8, § 44-146.19, and § 32.1-111.3 following criminal mass violence events that activate emergency plans.
This VCART training will cover the services and resources that are available to you. We will discuss how to incorporate VCART and promote victim-centered approaches into your emergency plans. The training will also discuss how to request a response, the differences between VCART and other resources available, and common stress reactions following a traumatic event.
· Participants will have a better understanding of how VCART can fit into their crisis and emergency plans.
· Participants will understand the services provided by VCART after a mass casualty event or critical incident.
· Participants will be able to identify trauma reactions and understand how survivors may react in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
· Participants will understand the importance of trauma informed and victim centered services.
Please contact Dawn Bush at dawn.bush@dcjs.virginia.gov with any questions.
