Volunteers and Interns

Victim Assistance Program History & Mission

Washington County Victim Assistance Program (VAP), is a program of Washington County District Attorney’s Office (WCDA), and was established in 1983, to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system within our community.

Since 1983, VAP has worked to inform and ensure access to rights, afforded to victims of crime, as we assist them in navigating the criminal justice system. VAP offers victims of misdemeanor and felony crimes support services, including access to information, criminal court accompaniment, criminal justice advocacy, community resource connection, emotional support, and restitution/ financial loss recovery. VAP offers additional wraparound support services for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse, through the dedicated Child Abuse Team (CAT) and Domestic Violence Team (DVT), established by WCDA.

VAP works interactively with multiple agencies throughout Washington County, the tri-county region, and the State of Oregon to build and ensure practical application of a coordinated community response to crime. VAP participates in regular interagency communication and collaboration with agencies, including Washington County Sheriff Office (WCSO), law enforcement offices throughout Washington County (ex: WSCO, Hillsboro PD, Beaverton PD, etc.), the Family Justice Center (FJC), CARES Northwest, Washington County Community Corrections, the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC), and the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC).

VAP consists of the Program Director and Senior Deputy District Attorney overseeing WCDA Victim Services, the Program Coordinator, Victim Advocate Specialists (VAS), Restitution Specialists, Post-Conviction Advocates, Administrative Support staff, Undergraduate Interns and Community Volunteers.

Volunteers and interns work alongside staff to fulfill WCDA VAP Mission:

• To support and aid victims of crime as they move through the criminal justice process;
• To provide them with assistance, services, and resource information;
• To promote participation in the criminal justice system by educating victims about their rights, and to advocate for the enforcement of these rights; and
• To coordinate with community agencies to ensure continuity of support for victims.

Victim Assistance Program Volunteer & Intern Program (VAIP) Overview

VAP would be unable to fulfill all the requests for accompaniment and support service without the dedication and service of undergraduate interns and community volunteers. VAIP is designed to provide criminal justice system exposure and experience, to students and community members, interested in advocating for victims of crime throughout the criminal court process. Students can earn academic credit, or fulfill class internship requirements, by successfully completing a VAIP internship experience.

VAIP require intern and volunteers be a minimum age of eighteen (18). Annual Internships require a minimum commitment of 32 weeks (8 months) per year, where interns will work a minimum of 16 hours per week. An additional 20-weeks per year, with 8-hours per week service dedication is preferred, when possible. Summer Internships require a commitment of 6 months; at a minimum of 16 hours per week. VAIP Internships are unpaid internships offering benefits including professional experience within a criminal justice setting, growth of advocacy and crisis intervention skills, professional supervision and direct service processing, and provision of professional references upon successful completion of the internship experience. Common educational backgrounds include, but are not limited to, social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice, community corrections, and pre-law.

VAIP volunteers can be students or community members interested in working with and advocating for victims of crime. VAIP volunteerism requires a minimum one (1) year commitment, with a recommended minimum of 400 hours of service (equivalent to 8 hours per week), to allow the volunteer to gain enough experience to fully learn the systems and provide appropriate support and information to victims. VAIP volunteerism offers benefits, including professional experience in the criminal justice system, increased connection between you and your community, and the opportunity to grow professional skill sets.

VAIP Interns and volunteers are required to complete a mandatory 40-hour training to learn about the criminal justice system, victimization, and the basics of advocacy. Our comprehensive training includes information regarding oppression, victimization, vulnerable populations (domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, etc.), probation and parole, criminal justice, and advocacy. Speakers at training include Deputy District Attorneys (DDAs) and VASs, as well as local experts from outside agencies. All volunteers and interns are required to complete the VAIP 40-hour training program, including additional observation/experiential shadowing, interagency community shadowing, supplemental trainings and ongoing professional education. VAIP interns and volunteers interested in working with Domestic Violence Team (DVT) or Child Abuse Team (CAT) must complete additional training.

VAIP Volunteerism Opportunities

The following roles are available to VAIP interns and volunteers.

Administrative Assistant Specialist (AAS)

• Indirect Service position
• Assist in creation, set-up, and maintenance of criminal court files. Compose case status notification and disposition letters for victims/ representatives. Redact law enforcement reports and process returned mail. Complete quality assurance calls. Update and maintain community outreach resources. Complete office maintenance/projects, as assigned.
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/F availability
• Age Requirement: 18+ years

Community Support Specialist (CSS)

• Indirect Service position
• Engage Washington County community to increase knowledge about VAP, services, rights afforded to victims of crime, experiences of victims of crime/ trauma symptomology, and volunteerism opportunities with VAIP.
• Recruit volunteerism, provide educational trainings to community members, facilitate speaking engagements at colleges/ universities, request community donations in support of victims of crime, etc.
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/ F availability
• Age Requirement: 18+ years

Restitution Support Specialist (RSS)

• In-direct and/or Direct Service position
• Work with Restitution Specialists to help determine and obtain monetary reimbursement, to be paid by the defendant, for losses incurred as a result of the crime.
• Interact with victims and victim representatives to request documentation, generate file materials, and prepare files for criminal Restitution Hearings.
• Accompany victims of crime to Restitution Hearings. Assist them in understand the process, preparing for testimony, if contested, and understanding ordered outcomes.
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/ F availability
• Age Requirement: 18+ years

Victim Advocacy Specialist (VAS) - Generalist

• Direct Service position, with indirect responsibilities
• Review criminal case file, prepare file/ engage in professional communication with WCDA staff in preparation for court appearance,
• Provide victims of crime with emotional and informational support during court appearances including Preliminary Hearings (PH), Initial Appearances (IA)/ Further Proceeding Hearings (FPH), Motions for Modification (MRA), Diversion Entry (DVDS, DECR, DUII), Change of Peal (COP), Trial (T) and Sentencing.
• Facilitate communication with WCDA staff, ensure crime victim’s rights are observed (ex: ability to provide Victim Impact Statement), and provide access to community resources.
• Update criminal case file with case notes and services provided
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/F availability
• Age Requirement: 18+ years.

Felony Victim Advocate Specialist (FVAS) - Grand Jury (GJ) and Preliminary Hearing (PH)

• Direct Service position, with indirect responsibilities
• Provide emotional and informational support to victims of crime throughout the Grand Jury (GJ) and Preliminary Hearing (PH) processes.
• Review criminal case files, make informational calls to victims, notify of GJ/ PH process and subpoena request/ requirements. Prepare paperwork & engage in professional communication with WCDA staff in preparation for court appearance. Accompany victims and witnesses to GJ/ PH hearings. Assist through information/completion of crime victim’s rights and restitution paperwork.
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th availability

Domestic Violence Team Specialists (DVTS) and/or Child Abuse Team Specialists (CATS)

General Responsibilities of all CAT and DVT positions

• Attend additional training regarding vulnerable populations, crisis intervention, active listening, role of the criminal justice system, safety planning, community resources, etc.
• Actively maintain assigned case files
• Create ongoing, professional relationships with victims/ victim representatives in assigned cases, with goals to increase successful prosecution outcomes (perpetrator accountability).
• Provide trauma-informed support services. Follow team standards and protocol regarding contact with victims of interpersonal crime. Provide emotional and informational support, assist with safety planning, and provide community resources referrals
• Foster coordinated community response/connection between victims of crime, criminal prosecution staff, and community support resources

DVTS Generalist

• Direct Service position, with Indirect responsibilities
• Provide emotional and informational support to victims of Domestic Violence (DV) and sexual violence during various hearings, including Grand Jury (GJ), Preliminary Hearings (PH), Initial Appearances (IA)/ Further Proceeding Hearings (FPH), Motions for Modification (MRA), Diversion Entry (DVDS), Probation Violation (PV), Violation of Restraining Order (VRO), Trial (T) and Sentencing.
• Provide accompaniment, facilitate communication with WCDA staff, and ensure crime victim’s rights are observed (ex: ability to provide Victim Impact Statement, actively engage in plea negotiations, notified/presence at court appearances, etc.).
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/F availability.

CATS Generalist

• Direct Service position
• Provide emotional and informational support to victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA), child physical abuse and adult sexual violence crimes during various hearings, including Grand Jury (GJ), Preliminary Hearings (PH), Initial Appearances (IA)/ Further Proceeding Hearings (FPH), Motions for Modification (MRA), Diversion Entry (DVDS), Probation Violation (PV), Violation of Restraining Order (VRO), Trial (T) and Sentencing.
• General Schedule: M/T/W/Th/F availability

Violation of Restraining Order (VRO) Specialist

• Direct Service position
• Provide trauma-informed support services to victims, through court accompaniment, emotional and informational support, increase in communication with WCDA staff, and advocacy to ensure crime victim’s rights are observed (ex: ability to provide Victim Impact Statement). Provide hearing outcome, sentencing information and safety planning.
• General Schedule: Tuesday availability

Domestic Violence Deferred Sentencing (DVDS)/ Probation Violence (DPVP) Specialist

• Direct Service position
• Provide trauma-informed support services to victims, through court accompaniment, emotional and informational support, facilitating communication with WCDA staff, and advocacy to ensure crime victim’s rights are observed (ex: ability to provide Victim Impact Statement). Provide DVDS/ DVPV-specific information regarding treatment packages and terms of probations. Provide hearing outcome, safety planning and community connection to WCCC/probation services.
• General Schedule: Monday availability

Victims of Crime Served

VAIP works with misdemeanor and felony criminal prosecution teams. Volunteers and interns assist victims of many types of crime, including, but not limited to:

• Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Child Sexual and Physical Abuse
• Elder Abuse
• Vehicular Assaults
• Identity Theft
• Burglary
• Robbery

VAIP Training Requirements and Expectations

VAIP requires volunteers and interns to complete 40-hour of mandatory training, to learn about the criminal justice system, victimization, and the basics of advocacy. Those interested in working as Domestic Violence Team Specialists (DVTS) or Child Abuse Team Specialists (CATS) must complete additional training. VAIP offers training requiring the following components:

Educational and Observational Training (40 hours total)

Speakers include Deputy District Attorneys (DDAs) and Victim Assistance Specialists (VASs) from WCDA, as well as local experts from outside agencies. Includes coverage of topics including oppression, victimization, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, probation and parole, criminal justice, advocacy, etc.

Experiential Training (8 hours minimum)

Shadowing (follow and lead) with VASs and DDAs throughout criminal court hearings and events to learn CJ processes. Work with WCDA staff and victims of crime to advocate and ensure rights.

Supplemental Training (10+ hours)

Completion of additional training modules through online training provided by the Office for Victims of Crime - Basic Advocacy Training. Comprehensive training prepares for work within the criminal justice system.

Ongoing Educational Training (2 hours per month)

Mandatory attendance of monthly VAIP staff meeting and educational “Lunch and Learn” series. Training Topics include: Crime and Victimization, Neurobiology of Trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences and the CJ system, Legislative and Policy Updates, etc.

Interagency Community Shadowing

Including:

• Attend community meetings
• Attend training classes offered through community resources
• Set up meet & greets with local community resources,
• Tour Washington County Jail and
• Complete a Ride-Along with the WCSO, Beaverton or Hillsboro PD

VAIP Requirements and Application Process

Volunteers and interns must be at least 18 years old to provide direct services (17 years old to attend training) and:

• Complete Background Check
• Submit VAIP Application, including supplemental questions
• Attend In-Person/ Virtual Interview
• Complete mandatory VAIP 40-hour Training
• Formal Acceptance or Decline Letter from VAIP
• Sign VAIP Volunteer Contract
• Attend VAIP Orientation

Forms:

• Washington County District Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Program Volunteer and Internship Program (PDF 174.26 KB)
• Washington County District Attorney’s Office Background Application (PDF 57.49 KB)
• Reference Request Form (PDF 51.47 KB)

Submit your Application Packet (VAIP Application and Background Check) to one of the following:

Mail:
Washington County
District Attorney's Office
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
150 N. First Avenue
Suite 300, MS 40
Hillsboro, OR 97124-3002

E-mail:
[email protected]

Fax:
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
503-846-3407

Contact Information

If you have questions about volunteering with the Washington County District Attorney's Victim Assistance Volunteer and Intern Program, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 503-846-8671 or e-mail [email protected].