From left, Lesia Wheeler and Ashly Morris

Wheeler, Morris Now DCJ Certified Members Of Crisis Response Team   Covington, VA (March 23, 2023) - The Alleghany Highlands Victim/Witness Assistance program is excited to announce that both Director Lesia Wheeler and Assistant Director Ashly Morris are now certificated members of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services-National Community Crisis Response Team (VCART). They had the opportunity to attended a three-day training in August of 2022 in Lynchburg, Virginia. This training was presented by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. The Victims Crisis Assistance and Response Team (VCART) program provides a victim-centered response that is coordinated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to assist victims following criminal events. DCJS and the Virginia Victims Fund are designed by law to be the lead coordinating agencies for crime victims during critical incidents and mass casualty events that trigger emergency management plans. The VCART program identifies and coordinates the availability of trained, experienced team members to provide crisis intervention, grief counseling, and other services to primary and secondary victims, witnesses, and community members. Participation in Virginia Crisis Assistance and Response team is completely voluntary for its members. Lesia and Ashly were honored to serve on their first assignment last November aiding the community of Charlottesville during their time of need.

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