COVA Victim Services Intern Program
COVA Intern Program History, Goals and Purpose:
The COVA Victim Services Internship Program was established in July of 1996 in an effort to increase sensitivity and awareness in cultural and environmental issues, while advocating victims' needs and rights. Funding for the Program is from Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds and various Judicial District Victim Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) Funds.
The program is committed to placing current students of under-represented populations in non-profit organizations and government units that provide some level of victim services. The program provides opportunities for current students to serve in criminal legal system departments and community based victim services programs.
The goal of this program is to help the intern find employment in the field of victim services. Placement in the victim services profession encourages a working knowledge of the criminal legal system, crisis intervention styles, community outreach opportunities, courtroom advocacy skills, agency planning techniques, and volunteer-intern management. The intern experience, coupled with an increased awareness in diverse populations benefits the student, the community, and the prospective employer.
The purpose of the Victim Services Intern Program is to provide interns with a stipend which then allows the student to dedicate time to their internship in the field of crime victim services that may not otherwise be accessible to the student.
COVA’s foremost commitment is to the learning process of the intern. COVA Victim Services Intern Program Staff are available to all interns to facilitate growth, assist in networking and identify other resources pertinent to the intern. Workshops, seminars and conference opportunities are available to all COVA Interns. Regular intern meetings provide additional in-service training, debriefings, and peer support.
The COVA Victim Services Internship Program was established in July of 1996 in an effort to increase sensitivity and awareness in cultural and environmental issues, while advocating victims' needs and rights. Funding for the Program is from Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds and various Judicial District Victim Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) Funds.
The program is committed to placing current students of under-represented populations in non-profit organizations and government units that provide some level of victim services. The program provides opportunities for current students to serve in criminal legal system departments and community based victim services programs.
The goal of this program is to help the intern find employment in the field of victim services. Placement in the victim services profession encourages a working knowledge of the criminal legal system, crisis intervention styles, community outreach opportunities, courtroom advocacy skills, agency planning techniques, and volunteer-intern management. The intern experience, coupled with an increased awareness in diverse populations benefits the student, the community, and the prospective employer.
The purpose of the Victim Services Intern Program is to provide interns with a stipend which then allows the student to dedicate time to their internship in the field of crime victim services that may not otherwise be accessible to the student.
COVA’s foremost commitment is to the learning process of the intern. COVA Victim Services Intern Program Staff are available to all interns to facilitate growth, assist in networking and identify other resources pertinent to the intern. Workshops, seminars and conference opportunities are available to all COVA Interns. Regular intern meetings provide additional in-service training, debriefings, and peer support.
COVA Intern Qualifications:
- Must identify as a member of an underserved/marginalized population (Examples of marginalized populations include, but are not limited to, groups excluded due to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, language, and/or immigration status.)
- Must have an interest in victim or human services;
- Must commit to 15 to 20 hours per week;
- Must commit to a minimum of nine months, maximum of 1 year;
- Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university for the duration of the internship; and
- Must maintain a high standard of confidentiality and respect for others.
COVA Intern Program Placement Opportunities
COVA is responsible for the facilitation of the internship; therefore, students will not intern in the COVA office. Instead, students will intern at one of the Host Agencies through which COVA has a partnership.
Host Agencies vary from systems-based to community-based and include police departments, DA’s offices, advocacy centers, non-profit organizations, etc.
COVA has partnerships with over 60 Host Agencies located in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 17th, 18th, and 20th Judicial Districts. Below are examples of a fraction of the Host Agencies COVA partners with:
COVA has partnerships with over 60 Host Agencies located in the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 17th, 18th, and 20th Judicial Districts. Below are examples of a fraction of the Host Agencies COVA partners with:
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Systems-Based Host Agencies:
17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office 19th Judicial District Attorney's Office 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office Colorado Springs PD Lakewood PD Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Longmont PD Parker PD Sheridan PD Westminster PD |
Community-Based Host Agencies:
A Woman’s Place ATV Blue Bench Denver Children’s Advocacy Center Family Tree (3 sites) HASEYA MESA Phoenix Center at Auraria Pueblo Rape Crisis Services Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center Rose Andom Center SAVA Center (2 sites) SPAN TESSA The Initiative |
Please note that some agencies may not be accepting interns at this time. Please do not contact these agencies prior to your acceptance into the Victim Service Intern Program (VSIP).
(Please note – background checks are completed by COVA. However sometimes, the Host Agency will also conduct their own check. Criminal legal system entities often have a more extensive process and likely follow federal criteria. While marijuana possession and use is legal under Colorado state law, possession and use is a crime under federal law. Marijuana use or possession may prevent an applicant from being accepted as an intern in a criminal legal system agency.)
(Please note – background checks are completed by COVA. However sometimes, the Host Agency will also conduct their own check. Criminal legal system entities often have a more extensive process and likely follow federal criteria. While marijuana possession and use is legal under Colorado state law, possession and use is a crime under federal law. Marijuana use or possession may prevent an applicant from being accepted as an intern in a criminal legal system agency.)
Victim Services Intern Program Application:
In order to complete an application for the Victim Services Internship Program you will have to fill out an application as well as agree to a release of information for a background check.
Host Agency Applications
Fill out the application below:
For further information regarding the Internship Program, please contact the COVA office at 303-861-1160 or Christa:
