Registration for this event has closed. 

The state of Michigan is embarking on an important new project that will enhance services for victims of mass violence in our state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in conjunction with Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) are sponsoring a series of regional trainings to enable victim advocates to assist victims if there is a mass casualty event. The State of Michigan has an emergency response plan for mass violence, however victim advocates are not currently included in the plan. This free training, offered by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), will not only prepare advocates but will make advocates part of the state's emergency response plan. By way of this project, Michigan is being proactive and prepared. As a victim advocate, we need your help to make this project successful. Unfortunately, a mass violence event is not a matter of if, but when.

A NOVA Crisis Response Team is a group of individuals specifically trained to provide trauma mitigation, education and emotional first aid in the aftermath of a critical incident, either small-scale or mass-casualty. NOVA CRT members each have a minimum of twenty-four hours of skill-based, field-tested training. Most teams have extensive training and experience in the widest range of traumatic events, from mass shootings to natural disasters. Since 1986, NOVA has been involved in hundreds of both smale-scale critical incidents as well as mass-casualty disasters. Thousands who confront human crisis - victim advocates, law enforcement officers and others - have completed the course.

The NOVA Crisis Response training event will be held at the Holiday Inn in Grand Rapids, June 24-16 2019. Hotel accommodations will be made for you in your own name. Cancellations must be received by 5:00 pm on Thursday May 23, 2019. Overnight lodging (3 nights if your home or job is 50 miles or more away from hotel) and meals (breakfast and lunch) will be provided. The training schedule will be 8:00 to 5:00 pm daily. There is no registration fee or charge for materials.

These trainings will be held in seven district regions throughout Michigan in 2018 and 2019. Attendees for the June training will be chosen from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola and Ottawa counties only. Participants must register for the training in your geographical area. It will be offered one time per geographic region. Please note that by registering you are committing to attend the entire training and commit to two years of availability if a mass casualty incident occurs in Michigan.

If you have questions, please contact Megan Brown at brownm84@michigan.gov.