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mnallianceoncrime.org
I hope this finds you all well and taking time to enjoy summer!
MAC staff and board are working at, what feels like, warp speed. We are putting the final touches on our Strategic Planning Retreat taking place July 12th and 13th, we completed regional meetings with our member programs last week, and are in “all hands-on deck” mode as we plan for the 2023 annual meeting and capacity building training and our 30th Anniversary Gala that will take place September 7th in St. Cloud. More information regarding and links for registration, tickets, and event sponsorship is included in the newsletter. If you have pictures from MAC’s work and events that have taken place over the past 30 years, please scan and email them to Kim Mongoven, Kim@mnallianceoncrime.org.
I am very honored to announce that Governor Walz has appointed me to fill a public member seat on the Minnesota Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (POST) Board. I look forward to extending MAC’s collaborative work to the POST Board and am grateful for the opportunity to represent the lived experiences of those who are impacted by crime and systems responses.
Thank you to all of our members who took the time to attend a regional meeting. Our conversations focused on updates on outcomes of the 2023 Legislative session and the present and future concerns regarding Crime Victim Service (CVS) funding in Minnesota. It is clear that achieving a significant and sustainable increase in CVS funding is critical and is the priority of MAC’s member programs. MAC is committed to continuing our collective and collaborative efforts to achieve the goal of realizing a meaningful CVS funding increase that allows victim-service programs to thrive, not just survive, so the individuals they work with and advocate for also thrive.
As always, thank you for the work you do, every day, to support and assist individuals who have been impacted by crime in Minnesota!
In Peace,
Bobbi
Annual Membership Survey
To achieve our mission, MAC needs your valuable feedback as a member of our coalition. We will use your feedback to help us set strategic goals and better serve our member programs statewide.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
The survey will close on July 10th.
When you complete the survey and submit your email address, you will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card!
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime is a membership coalition of crime victim service organizations and individuals in Minnesota, including prosecution-based victim/witness programs, community programs, law enforcement agencies, civil legal organizations, and individuals committed to supporting crime victims. We support our membership through training, technical assistance, resources, public policy and legislative initiatives, and networking opportunities.
Annual Member Meeting and Capacity Building Training
September 7th and 8th, 2023
Kelly Inn, St. Cloud, MN
The Annual Membership Meeting will provide our members and allies the opportunity to learn more about the strategic work MAC staff and board are currently engaged in and provide direct feedback that will shape MAC’s initiatives moving forward. Members can also participate in a book club, strategic planning discussion, and a workshop hosted by Research in Action.
MAC is also celebrating their 30th anniversary as a coalition and will be hosting a fundraising gala the night of September 7th. Members are encouraged to stay after the capacity building events for dinner, drinks, dancing, and both a silent and live auction. A separate registration for the gala is required, as there is a fee. The member meeting and capacity building events are free for MAC members.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 7th
9am-12pm: Annual Member Meeting
12pm-1pm: Lunch provided
1pm-2pm: Book club discussion (Killers of the Flower Moon)
2:30pm-4pm: Strategic Planning presentation and discussion
5pm-9pm: 30th Anniversary Fundraising Gala (separate registration)
Friday, September 8th
9am-12pm: Research in Action Workshop- focused on the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force
Each year MAC hosts an annual meeting for our member organizations to come together to grow our capacity for victim services through training and community building. 2023 is an important year because it is our 30th anniversary and we are hosting a fundraiser at the Kelly Inn in St Cloud which will take place in-person September 7, 2023. We are anticipating that over 150 service providers from across the state will join us.
This fundraising event will be a fun dinner honoring of the last 30 years of MAC while celebrating the start of our new strategic direction. We are looking forward to meeting old and new friends of MAC and the presentation of our Spotlight award, which honors advocates and staff who work with crime victims across the state. There will also be a wide variety of foods to choose from served buffet-style, a cash bar with non-alcoholic options, the live and online auctions, and a wine-pull (with a coffee pull for non-drinkers), a photo booth set-set up, speakers, videos, music, and of course fun to be had by all celebrating 30 years of working together to serve crime victims throughout Minnesota!
We would love to have you come join us! Purchase tickets individually or as a group today!
We are looking for YOU and your stories, photos, and videos about your involvement with MAC over the last 30 years! In conjunction with our fundraiser we are compiling a "30 years of MAC" video and slideshow and would love to talk to you about your work with MAC over the years! Please contact kim@mnallianceoncrime.org if you have ideas, stories, photos, videos, or people to put us in contact with who have worked with MAC over the years!
During MAC's annual meeting we will award the Spotlight Award to a MAC member who is truly making a difference for crime victims in Minnesota. We need YOUR help in nominating outstanding members for this award!
Spotlight Award Criteria:
The nominee must currently be an employee, intern, or volunteer for a MAC member program.
The nominee does not need to work directly with victims but they must work on behalf of victims in a significant way. (Example: The executive director or the volunteer coordinator of a direct service organization.)
You may nominate someone at your own agency or another MAC member organization.
You may nominate yourself.
The nominee must be doing work that is considered innovative and/or outstanding.
Email the completed form to Becca Muskat by August 18, 2023.
MAC board and staff will review all nominations that meet the criteria and the award will be announced at the 30th Anniversary Fundraiser.
We have had a few inquiries about Expert Witnesses. MAC has not used this service but it was recommended by a member organization and we wanted to share this resource with you. Expert Witness Directory: SEAK, Inc. is The Expert Witness Training Company. SEAK’s expert witness directory is 100% free, easy to use and features a robust and intuitive search engine. Their expert witness directory was founded in 1999 and features over 2,000 expert witness listings. Expert witnesses can be contacted directly and instantly via phone or email. There are no middlemen, no fee markups and no referral fees.
The Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center is asking folks to sign on to a Safe Harbor for All letter here. They are asking citizens of Minnesota to have their voices heard in their support of the Safe Harbor for All model for those being sexually exploited they asked everyone to share this letter and the link with your contacts who also stand in solidarity with those being harmed and exploited.
Member program Standpoint announced that Executive Director Rana Alexander is transitioning to the Director of Finance and Director of Organizational and Staff Development (and MAC board member) Thi Synavone will be taking on the Executive Director role as of July 1, 2023. We wish Standpoint a seamless transition!
National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is a federally funded resource offering justice and drug-related information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide. They just produced the Podcast Driving Down Gun Violence which is a discussion among several Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science Scholars, about their experiences with identifying and implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce gun violence. Listen here.
A LISC research paper, Implementing Outreach-Based Community Violence Intervention Programs, is based on candid interviews with 15 CVI leaders and analysis of existing literature, Dr. Shani Buggs, a national expert on CVI approaches social determinants of gun violence, and colleagues examine program strengths and challenges, and lay out detailed recommendations for supporting and enhancing the field.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is partnering with Esperanza United on the Reimagining Enhanced Access and Capacity of the Hotline (REACH) Project. They are enhancing and expanding the capacity of the WomensLaw Email Hotline, which provides free, confidential legal information and support in both English and Spanish for victims and survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; their advocates; and their loved ones.
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will soon be updating and announcing the award categories for the 2024 National Crime Victims’ Service Awards. These prestigious awards recognize the individuals, organizations, teams, and programs that demonstrate outstanding achievements or extraordinary acts in support of victims and survivors and expanding access to justice across all communities. Submission guidelines.
Funding Opportunities:
FY 2023 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program. With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance seeks applications for funding to improve the capacity of tribal justice systems to address civil and criminal legal assistance needs in their jurisdictions. Grants.gov Deadline August 7, 2023, 8:59 pm Eastern. JustGrants Deadline August 14, 2023, 8:59 pm Eastern. Solicitation.
FY 2023 State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Information Sharing Technical Assistance Program. With this solicitation, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence & Analysis, is seeking applications to support the standardization of information-sharing practices and the identification and sharing of state, local, tribal, and territorial information-sharing exchange promising practices and lessons learned.Grants.gov Deadline August 7, 2023, 8:59 pm Eastern. JustGrants Deadline August 14, 2023, 8:59 pm Eastern. Solicitation.
Working with Victims with Severe Mental Illness
July 11th, 2023
12pm-1:30pm CT
Learning objectives:
Understand trauma responses and how that differs from persistent and severe mental illness
Differentiate between the role of an advocate versus mental health professionals
Learn sample language and de-escalation techniques advocates can use to mediate a mental health crisis
Learn impacts of vicarious trauma on advocates and review strategies to improve health and well-being of frontline providers working with crime victims
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime host State Representative Kelly Moller and reform advocate Toni Cater to discuss the new reforms that have changed the felony murder laws regarding aiding and abetting. Rep. Moller helped to write the new laws and will take attendees through the changes, when they go into effect, and the reasoning behind the changes. Toni Cater will discuss her daughter’s case as well as others that spurred the push for reform. Discussion includes ways to provide nuanced notification to victims affected by these changes.
This webinar is free for all to attend. The webinar will be recorded and the recording will be made available exclusively for MAC members.
OVC TTAC recently launched a series of Back to Basics microlearning videos focusing on current and emerging trends and needs in the victim service field. This ongoing series has been updated with four new topics, including: barrier-free intake, culturally responsive victim services, multidisciplinary teams, and social media and reaching audiences effectively. More information.
Standpoint’s New Laws 2023 dates and locations are here!Join them out on the road (or virtually!) and get the greatest source of up-to-date legal information related to domestic & sexual violence. Registration opens July 1st. More information.
Building Resiliency in Victim Service Organizations training identifies five core elements of resiliency and examines how they can be implemented within organizations to build resiliency in staff. This training is intended for managers and leaders in victim-serving organizations who can implement changes to policies and procedures. More information.
During Collective Healing: Breaking the Cycle of White Supremacy, MCN will collectively look at how to break the cycle of white supremacy and take practical action towards equity. In this highly interactive multi-part training, you will learn to identify what white supremacy culture is and how it shows up personally and professionally; reframe harmful narrative around equity; learn about habit change and why it is important in this work, and more! July 12, 13, & 14, 1 - 3 p.m. More information.
Standpoint webinar: Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) requires that incarcerated individuals who experience sexual violence, either during their incarceration or prior to entering a correctional facility, have access to an advocate. If your agency received a crisis call from an incarcerated individual, would you know how to respond? This presentation will provide an overview of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, general tips for responding to an incarcerated victim-survivor, and discuss unique barriers for incarcerated survivors in accessing services. More information.
NNEDV’s is hosting Safety Net’s Technology Summit 2023, taking place July 17-19 in San Francisco. This unique three-day training summit focuses on the intersection of technology and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. Covering a wide range of technology-related issues, this conference will be helpful to advocates, legal professionals, technologists, and law professionals who work with survivors of abuse. More information and registration.
OVCTTAC presents Pathways in the Victim Services Field which explores and builds skills. There are many different ways to make an impact in the victim services field. Pathways in the Victim Services Field explores and builds skills within three paths—advocacy, public speaking, and activism. This training will be delivered online, over the course of 6 weeks, beginning on July 24, 2023. More information.
National Center for Victims of Crime present: Serving Victims of Financial Fraud: Exploitation and Abuse of Tribal Communities.While anyone can be a victim of financial fraud, exploitation, and abuse, tribal communities are often targeted. According to the Federal Trade Commission, tribal members are more likely to be the victims of scams and are less likely to report scams than any other group. Jul 27, 2023 11:00 AM CST. More information.
Join NOVA for their 49th Annual Training Event in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 31 – August 3, 2023. Meet the NOVA staff and helping professionals from around the world at the Marriott New Orleans for 4 days of inspiring keynote, engaging workshops and networking. This year, NOVA’s theme is The Power of Connection. Engage and connect with NOVA’s community of passionate professionals in the field of victim services and crisis response. More information and registration.
Adverse Childhood Experiences & Comprehensive Trauma-Informed Care August 21 & 22, 2023 | 8:30AM - 12:30PM CT a training for professionals who work with children and families, including educators and administrators, childcare providers, law enforcement, youth-serving organizations, health and human service providers, faith-based organizations, healthcare and victim advocates. More information.
Register today to attend the 2023 National Training Institute September 6-8, 2023 in Boston, MA. Early Bird registration for the 2023 National Training Institute is on sale. Register before May 1st to save $100! Each year, the National Training Institute highlights innovative work in victim services, justice, and public safety. The 2023 National Training Institute, will include a variety of plenaries, training workshops, and networking opportunities. More information.
MNJRC's 2023 Conference: Re-Imagining Justice: Centering Humanity Over Fear. Thurs, Nov 16 - Fri Nov 17, 2023. The MNJRC's annual Re-Imagining Justice Conference is an inspirational convening of a broad diversity of criminal legal system practitioners, scholars, advocates, impacted persons, and community members. Through keynotes, plenaries, and breakout sessions, we create the space to share and learn from efforts to bring the criminal legal system closer to a true justice system. More information.
The Minnesota Alliance on Crime connects systems, service providers, and victims to advance the response for victims of all crime. MAC is a membership coalition of more than 90 crime victim service providers in Minnesota, including prosecution-based victim/witness programs, community programs, law enforcement agencies, and individuals committed to supporting crime victims. We support our membership through training, technical assistance, resources, public policy and legislative initiatives, and networking opportunities.
To join our coalition of Minnesota crime victim service programs, click here.
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