Getting a domestic violence volunteer training manual licensed

In Virginia, getting a domestic violence volunteer training manual "licensed" is not a single administrative step but rather a process of aligning your curriculum with the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Program Professional Standards. These voluntary accreditation standards are overseen by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). [1, 2]

1. Align with the Training Matrix [3]

To be recognized for state accreditation, your training manual must meet the requirements of the Training Matrix found in the Professional Standards Manual. [3, 4]
  • Onboarding Requirements: Training for staff and volunteers must cover core competencies such as crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and the intersections of violence and oppression.
  • Modality Limits: No more than half of the onboarding or continuing education training can be completed through self-directed methods (e.g., online courses/webinars).
  • Mandatory Topics: Curricula must include reviews of confidentiality, cultural humility, and vicarious trauma. [5, 6]

2. Seek Voluntary Accreditation

The Professional Standards Committee evaluates local programs through a peer-reviewed process. [7, 8]
  • Step 1: Self-Assessment: Complete the Professional Standards Organizational Self-Assessment to determine if your agency and training manual are ready for the application process.
  • Step 2: Submit Summary: Send your Organizational Self-Assessment Summary to the DCJS Professional Standards Team at sdvstandards@dcjs.virginia.gov.
  • Step 3: Formal Application: Applications are typically accepted in "rounds" that open once per year, usually in the early fall. [1, 5, 9, 10]

3. Partner with the Action Alliance

The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is the state's leading advocacy organization and often provides or vets training curricula. [5, 11]
  • Existing Curricula: They offer a pre-approved Volunteer Training Curriculum that provides 32 hours of activities designed to meet state standards.
  • Training on Request (TOR): You can request specialized curriculum development or adaptation from the Alliance to ensure your manual meets specific agency needs. [11, 12, 13]

4. Certification for Intervention Programs (BIP)

If your manual is specifically for Batterer Intervention Programs (BIP) rather than victim advocacy, it must be certified by the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board. [14]
  • Training Minimums: These programs must ensure facilitators receive a minimum of 32 hours of domestic violence training in specific areas identified in the Certification Standards. [14, 15]
Proactive Follow-up: Are you looking to start a new local program that needs accreditation, or are you an individual seeking to have your specific training manual certified for use by existing agencies?

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