Our Vision
The National Mass Violence Center (NMVC) Improving Community Preparedness Training and Technical Assistance (ICP TTA) program provides no-cost, evidence-based resources to prepare for MVIs. Our vision is to ensure local, state, regional, and tribal jurisdictions across the country are better prepared to respond to the needs of victims following incidents of criminal mass violence and domestic terrorism (CMV/DT).
We do this by:
- Promoting protocols and strategies that address the immediate and long-term needs of victims, families, and first responders
- Providing individualized training and technical assistance
- Augmenting existing emergency response plans
History
The National Mass Violence Center (NMVC) was established in October of 2017 in partnership with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The Center is composed of a multi-disciplinary team of scholars, researchers, victim assistance professionals, partner organizations, technical experts, and relevant local and national organizations in a multifaceted team that collaborates with OVC. Our consultant team includes leaders in many fields who have tremendous expertise, knowledge and experience with mass violence victim assistance, policies related to survivors’ rights and services, and practices to promote justice and healing. Several of our faculty have received national and state recognition for outstanding service and excellence in victim services, research, and contributions to scientific understanding.
The needs that arise from mass violence incidents (MVIs) are seen in victims, responders, and their impacted communities.
Victims struggle with many of the following:
- Emotional reactions that may remain for extended periods of time
- Need for medical and rehabilitative care,
- Need for financial support for health care and adaptive equipment
- Loss of employment income
- Navigating regulations and forms for insurance claims, victim compensation, and unemployment.
Responders may also struggle with the following:
- Vicarious trauma
- Behavioral health concerns, including increased substance use/abuse, depression, and anxiety
- Increased responder suicides or domestic violence incidents
Communities grapple with the loss of community members and how to return to a sense of safety.
The Improving Community Preparedness Training and Technical Assistance (ICP TTA) program was funded by the Office for Victims of Crime to address these concerns.