What We Do:
Since 1982, the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) has been committed to fairness and healing for crime victims, their families and communities through leadership, education, and advocacy. By operating in an inclusive and compassionate manner, COVA creates solutions and positive change.
COVA is a nonprofit statewide membership organization, with over 800 members throughout Colorado. Our membership includes personnel from the criminal justice system, nonprofit organizations providing assistance to victims of crime, survivors of crime, concerned citizens, and members of allied professions (human services, education, mental health, clergy, etc.).
COVA's vision is to be recognized as a national leader in building a collaborative environment where crime victims are given the opportunity to heal and restore balance to their lives.
COVA is a nonprofit statewide membership organization, with over 800 members throughout Colorado. Our membership includes personnel from the criminal justice system, nonprofit organizations providing assistance to victims of crime, survivors of crime, concerned citizens, and members of allied professions (human services, education, mental health, clergy, etc.).
COVA's vision is to be recognized as a national leader in building a collaborative environment where crime victims are given the opportunity to heal and restore balance to their lives.
COVA's Executive Director Nancy Lewis discusses COVA and Victim Services in Colorado
What COVA is involved in:
- Providing training and technical assistance on the Colorado Victims' Rights Act;
- Training to assist member agencies to provide quality services;
- Publishing standard mail and email Newsletters;
- Publishing an online statewide directory of victim service providers;
- Monitoring state & federal legislation affecting victims of crime;
- Administering a Victim Services Intern Program to enhance delivery of services to underserved/underrepresented populations in the Denver Metropolitan and Northern Front Range Areas;
- Sponsoring the Annual COVA Conference for victim service providers and other interested parties;
- Managing a Human Trafficking Program, which provides intensive case management for victims of sex and labor trafficking statewide;
- Planning, developing, and hosting a statewide Victim Assistance Academy to provide base-line training to those new to the field of victim assistance;
- Public education to foster a better understanding of victimization;
- Offering a voluntary Victim Advocate Certification Program for Colorado victim advocates;
- Administering a Crime Victim Emergency Fund;
- Developing a Crisis Response Team available to assist communities statewide;
We invite you to become an active member of COVA and help in the movement to advance victims' rights and services!
COVA's Board of Directors:
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Executive Committee:
Cecil O'Farrell, President Boulder County Sheriff's Office Boulder, CO Florence Hunt, Immediate Past-President 10th J.D. District Attorney's Office Pueblo, CO Angela Dunson, Vice President Denver City Attorney's Office Denver, CO Scott Turner, Co-Vice President Denver, CO Marsha Willis, Co-Secretary Americas Development Group Denver, CO Mark Slavsky, Co-Secretary Wheat Ridge Police Department Wheatridge, CO Steve Siegel, Co-Public Policy 2nd J.D. District Attorney's Office Denver, CO Tom Waddill, Co-Treasurer Community Member Lakewood, CO Irene Blatnick, Co-Treasurer 2nd J.D. District Attorney's Office Denver, CO |
Board Members:
Allison Boyd 1st J.D. District Attorney's Office Golden, CO Sheila Kesler (Northwest Regional Rep) Advocates for a Violence-Free Community Hot Sulphur Springs, CO Michael Goodbee 17th Judicial District Court Brighton, CO Mary V. McGhee Community Member Denver, CO Judy Page Colorado Attorney General's Office Denver, CO Debbie Vigue Community Member Lamar, CO Martha Robinson (Southwest Regional Rep) Cortez Police Department Cortez, CO Mari Dennis (Southeast Regional Rep) Colorado Springs Police Department Colorado Springs, CO Brittany Clay (Northeast Regional Rep) Fort Collins Police Department Fort Collins, CO Jocelyn Rhymer (Central Regional Rep) Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Castle Rock, CO |