More Information....

20th Annual COVA Conference
October 26-29, 2008

Keystone Resort & Conference Center
Keystone, Colorado

Click for a downloadable 2008 Conference Packet.

Quick Links:

Click to View:
Registration Instructions	Schedule	Silent Auction Form	Nomination Form Word Format pdf Format	Membership Information
Registration Form Word format .pdf Format	Tips and Tricks	Projected Workshop Topics	Credits Available	Lodging Information
Scholarship Application Word Format pdf Format	**If you are unable to view documents in Adobe Acrobat and/or Microsoft Word, please call the COVA Office & request a faxed version of the Registration Form and/or Scholarship Application.

NOMINATE THE 2008 ADVOCATES OF THE YEAR!

At the 2008 COVA Conference, the Victim Advocate Awards Committee will recognize several individuals and/or organizations for their outstanding contribution to the Colorado victim advocacy movement. Please take the time to nominate individuals or agencies that have given their time, talent, dedication, and commitment above and beyond the normal challenges of providing victim services, and who make a positive impact on the lives of crime victims and the victims' movement. Click for a Nomination Form in Word format, or pdf Format.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the SILENT AUCTION!!

Meet new people!! Get a preview of all our wonderful items!!

We need several people to sign up for 2-hour shifts Monday (any time 8am-6pm), Tuesday (any time 7am-9pm)! Fun for all! Help us make our goal of raising $16,000! Volunteers will have fun and receive treats! Contact the COVA Office to sign up - 303-861-1160 or 1-800-261-2682.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED!

We need your help getting wonderful items for the silent auction. The revenue from the silent auction goes to providing scholarship money for the COVA conference and general support of COVA. Each year there is a greater need for scholarship money. The silent auction is only as successful as the support it receives from our members!

Each item donated will be displayed during the Conference. If you are asking businesses for donations, business packets that consist of the Silent Auction Form and a general form letter are available from the COVA Office. Asking businesses that you patronize is the easiest. COVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible.

Donation Ideas: Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and ask for a donation of a gift basket with items that represent your community. For instance, local honey or preserves, wine, bakery items, music tapes anything "local." If not the Chamber of Commerce, perhaps your staff and/or volunteers could do this as a fun project? Other popular items at the silent auction are gift certificates of all kinds -- from hotels, restaurants, shops, service businesses. We especially need items for men -- tools, golf or fishing items, tickets for sporting events, shirts or caps from law enforcement agencies are a few ideas. Items for children are also most welcome -- toys, furniture, clothing, baby items. You can even raid your own basement or garage for "treasures" you no longer want that are in like-new condition!

Please bring the Auction items to the Conference by Monday morning, October 27. If that is not possible, please call COVA so we can make other arrangements. Click here for a silent auction form. Call the COVA office if you would like to contact the Silent Auction Coordinators. Thanks for your help!

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BOOTH SPACE AVAILABLE Organizations can reserve space at the Conference to display information materials and/or to sell products. Space is free for conference registrants displaying information on the information exchange tables; there is a 10%-of-gross sales fee for vendor space and you will be asked to sign a contract. The information tables and vendor tables will be available on both Tuesday and Wednesday. If you have questions, or to reserve space for your organization for either or both purposes, check the appropriate box on the registration form, call the COVA office at 303-861-1160 or 1-800-261-2682, or email us.

WANTED! CONFERENCE COACHES! Anyone interested in volunteering to serve as a Coach at the 2008 COVA Conference is encouraged to email the COVA office, or call 1-800-261-2682 or 303-861-1160. Coaches act as "ambassadors" at the Conference, assisting participants with whatever help or information is needed.

KEYSTONE RESORT LODGING INFORMATION

Hotel Information: There is a 5.9% surcharge in addition to state and local taxes. One night's deposit is required to hold your room either by check or credit card. The deposit is due within 7 days of the date the reservation is made. Reservations may be made by calling Keystone at 800-258-0437 or by fax at 970-496-4343. When making reservations, mention group code CN3COV8. Click here for information on Keystone Colorado.

COVA's Keystone Lodging Rates are:
The Inn at Keystone	$99 (single/double)	Keystone Lodge	$115 (single/double)
Studio Condo	$115	Deluxe Two-BR Condo	$220
One-BR Condo	$120	Three-BR Condo	$280
Four-BR Condo	$370

Directions: Keystone Resort is conveniently located just 7 miles off I-70 at the Silverthorne Exit (#205) in Summit County (about 75 miles west of Denver). As you approach Keystone, watch for signs along the highway directing you to the Conference Center.

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Conference Highlights

Click here for Pre-Conference Skill-Building Session Information. REGISTRATION FOR THESE SESSIONS closes October 3, 2008.

Projected Conference Workshop Topics (this list will change - it always does!)
Monday, October 27 1:00-2:30pm Responding to Sudden Death Techniques Used by a Sexual Predator The Dynamics of Polygamy Federal & Local Resources Addressing Human Trafficking - Part I Interdisciplinary Cold Case Forensic Science National Demonstration Model Everything You Want to Know about Disabilities Understanding & Assisting Victims of Identity Theft Applying Triage to Domestic Violence Agency Collaboration & Treatment for Kids Exposed to Domestic Violence Supervising for Resiliency Victim Rights Act 101 Everything You Wanted to Know About Funeral Service Your Best Professional Self - Part I 3:00-4:30pm Gangs 101 'Til Death Do Us Part Adam Walsh Act: Implications of Implementation Federal & Local Resources Addressing Human Trafficking Criminal Justice 101 Working with Elder Victims Victims Can (& Do) Impact the Legislative Process Restorative Justice in Colorado: What's in it for Victims? Domestic Violence in LGBTQ Relationships Supervised Visitation & Exchange Victim Rights & the Strength Perspective Suicide Prevention for First Responders Your Best Professional Self - Part II	Tuesday, October 28 8:00-9:30am Effective Collaboration: Crime Scene to Prosecution Introduction to Competency, Sanity, and Other Forensic Evaluations Medical Sexual Assault Exam & Evidence Collection Address Confidentiality Program Application Assistant Training Address Confidentiality Program Application Assistant Training Treating Traumatized Children Understanding & Advocating for Senior Victims Canine Reduction of Eventful Stress (CARES) Team Cognitive & Social-Emotional Processing following Violence Victim Compensation 101 Safety Issues for rural Officer Response to Domestic Violence Transforming Lives with Word of Peace Program Victims of International Terrorism & the Federal Response 10:00-11:30am Introduction to the Psychology of a Psychopath Domestic Violence 101 Unde5rstanding Children's Disclosure of Sexual Abuse Witness Protection in Colorado The Language of Rape on Trial Multidisciplinary Abuse Investigations in Nursing Homes Generational Synergy Terrorism in the Home: Findings of the Fatality Review Committee 2008 Legislative Update Domestic Violence Safety & Accountability for Rural Areas The Awareness Experience Health Enabling for Language Professionals CO Statewide VINE Continued in next column.....	Tuesday, October 28 continued... 1:00-2:30pm What is Your Role in the Interstate Compact to Protect Victims? Intimate Partner Rape "An Angel Cried a Tear Last Night" Sexual Assault Interviewing & Interrogation The Tim Masters Case: Lessons to be Learned How Do U(niversity): Seniors 101 Introduction to PTSD Scams, Frauds, & Lotteries Compassion Fatigue - the Cost of Caring Rural Issues Roundtable Strategies for Dealing with Offender Collusion Enhancing Criminal Prosecutions by Teaming with civil Legal Services Wednesday, October 29 8:30-10:00am DNA 101 Relative Danger New Colorado Offender Treatment Model Understanding EMDR & How It Can Help Victims Trauma Among Delinquent Girls Financial Crimes Against the Elderly Beyond Burnout: Risks of Being in a Helping Profession Brian O'Connell: Naturopathic Con Man Education on Intimate Partner Violence for Colorado Nurses Technology: Innovations in Serving Victims & Enhancing Agency Collaboration Safe2Tell for Safer Communities What You Need to Know About Advocacy & the Military connection New Grant Consolidation Process at the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice

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Credits Available at the COVA Conference

P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) Credits: There will be 2 P.O.S.T. courses offered on Sunday, October 26, as Pre-Conference Skill Building Sessions. There is also a P.O.S.T. Track offering workshops during the Conference on Monday through Wednesday with topics and speakers selected by law enforcement officers. Other tracks' workshops will count for P.O.S.T. credit, too. Officers who choose to claim credit for the Pre-Conference P.O.S.T. course and/or the COVA Conference will need to complete additional paperwork on-site, and sign their evaluation forms for each of the workshops attended.

Domestic Violence Credits: Domestic Violence Perpetrator Treatment Providers may claim credits for attending the COVA Conference. There will be separate certificates of attendance available at each workshop. Pick up a certificate for each workshop attended and provide the information to the Domestic Violence Offender Management Board (DVOMB). For more information, contact the DVOMB at 303-239-4456.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits: Attorney's registered in Colorado may claim credits for attending the workshops approved by the Supreme Court CLE Board (application pending). Pick up your CLE affidavit at the conference registration/information desk, complete it and return it to the registration desk. COVA will submit your affidavit to the Supreme Court Board for you.

Tips and Tricks
Your guide to Surviving & Thriving at the COVA Conference.

If your budget is tight, bring your own coffee, snacks, drinks, and food.
Bring your own pillow.
Turn off cell phones and pagers during workshops.
Gatorade helps with altitude sickness.
Dress comfortably - in layers. Bring or wear a sweater. 
Be sure to talk to strangers - This is a great time to network and make new friends.
Carry bottled water and chap stick EVERYWHERE. Mountain climates are very dry.
Bring a snack to your workshops - granola bars work great!
Arrive early - some sessions may fill up.
Don't enter a workshop that is marked full. (Buy a CD instead!)
If you have questions or need assistance - look for people wearing "Coach" ribbons. They can help!
Don't stress - this is a time to learn and refresh!!!
Drink LOTS of water.
Use the vaporizer/humidifier in your hotel room - have it on continuously.
Take a "mental health" break if you need one.
The safe-room is there for you to use -- there are people here for YOU!
Wear your name tag to ALL conference events - it is your ticket to workshops, dinner, etc.
Smoking is allowed only on the Shavano and Crestone Terraces.
Guest tickets for the Buffet Dinner are available for purchase ($25).
Name tags are required for all attending the Buffet Dinner.
Take the time to look over the information in your Conference registration packet. There's a lot of valuable information!

and...in case we haven't already mentioned it...

Bring a snack and water bottle everywhere you go while dressed in layers, with your cell phone and/or pager turned off, being careful not to stress or interrupt workshops already in progress.
Have a great time!!

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