1. D-SAACP SARC Teleconferences
January 2013

2. Agenda D-SAACP Program Overview Application Process Common Errors
Application Deadlines
SARC Tools
Questions and Answers
Presentation will be about 20 minutes and then there will be a time for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.

3. Program Overview History Purpose Timeline
FY2012 NDAA requires DoD establish a training and certification program for SARCs and SAPR VAs
DoD SAPRO contracted with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) to screen, approve and certify D-SAACP Applicants
Purpose
Standardize sexual assault response to victims and professionalize military victim advocacy
Recognize SARCs and SAPR VAs’ specialized training, dedicated service and commitment to upholding the highest standards for victim care and privacy
Timeline
All military and DoD civilian SARCs and SAPR VAs must be certified by 1 Oct 13 (Final Application Deadline: 31 Jul 13)
D-SAACP is a groundbreaking program where we project that we’ll screen, certify and approve over 15,000 SAPR VAs and SARCs in FY This certification is critical to ensuring victims of sexual assault receive the same quality of care regardless of Service or geographical location.
Program is modeled on NOVA’s NACP Program, which is the only national credentialing body for victim advocates.
Final deadline is 31 July 13 but we STRONGLY encourage you to apply in advance. We’ll review all of the deadlines later in this presentation.

4. Application Process D-SAACP Application Receipt Confirmation
Apply for D-SAACP Certification by completing DD Form (
Application instructions available at DoD SAPRO website (
Receipt Confirmation
Applicants receive D-SAACP confirmation within 1 business day of receipt of application
Initial Application Review
NOVA will contact applicants submitting incomplete and/or incorrect applications for additional information
Incomplete applicants receive two contacts; applicants who do not respond are forwarded to their Service SAPR Program Manager
Application Submittal--We understand many Services are having the applications submitted as bundles; this is fine but understand we’ll generally follow-up with the applicant directly if we are missing information.

5. Common Applicant Errors
Application Ownership
Each applicant must complete their own application
Applicant must hand-sign or electronic-sign in each of required areas
Applicant must include their own and phone (even if only available phone is a DSN #)
Applicant Terminology
National Guard applicants must check “NGB” under Affiliation
Alternate SARCs should apply as SARCs
DoD only recognizes SARCs and SAPR VAs (Service-specific terms such as “SHARP Specialist” will not be recognized on D-SAACP Application)
Application Submittal
Applicants should NOT submit background checks or any additional documents with DD 2950 Application
Application Ownership--All applicants should include Installation and Command. Make sure valid mailing address and as this is how we’ll be communicating with you.
Applicant Terminology--Your Affiliation is your Service (even if you are a Marine serving on a Navy installation). If you do not know whether you are serving as a SARC or SAPR VA, check with your Program Manager.

6. Applicant Vetting Training Letters of Recommendation
Training Certificates must reflect a 40-hour, NACP-approved training
Continuing education will not count for the initial 40-hour training
Letters of Recommendation
SARCs must interview SAPR VAs and document interview date on SARC recommendation (p.9)
Supervisors and Senior Commanders must speak with Applicants regarding job duties and ensure requisite background check has been completed prior to applicant submission (p.10)
Level II-IV Applicants
Memoranda of Confirmation must reflect the total hours of sexual assault victim advocacy experience required for the D-SAACP Level
Memoranda of Evaluation must include documentation of the 3 case responses (#13 on p.8)
Training—must be NACP-approved. NOVA’s website has a list of the NACP-approved trainings if you have questions. Note that Navy has the 30-hour approved SAVI Training and 10-hour OVC Training as the requirement.
Letters of Recommendation--Remember to include interview dates in body of the Letter of Recommendation. D-SAACP Commander’s Toolkit is forthcoming from SAPRO. There is no timeline for when the interview must have occurred so long as it’s not a future date .
Levels II-IV Applicants—remember the guidelines on page 2 are for FT SARCs/SAPR VAs. If you are a PT SARC/SAPR VA, it will likely take you about twice as long to meet this requirement. Only sexual assault victim advocacy experience will be counted. NOVA has a helpful Decision Tree if you are having trouble calculating your hours/years of service.

7. Letters of Recommendation
All Applications Require Two Letters of Recommendation
Exception for SARCs only: If first person in chain of command AND Senior Commander are the same person (note exception on p.2 of application)
All letters must be signed (hand or digital signature)
SARC Requirement
Two letters required; both on p.10 of DD 2950
Letter 1—First person in their chain of command (E-7 or higher, 0-3 or higher, or GS-9 or higher)
Letter 2--Senior Commanding Officer (0-6 or above or GS-15 or above)
SAPR VA Requirement
Letter 1--SARC Letter of Recommendation (p.9).
Letter 2--First person in their chain of command (E-7 or higher, 0-3 or higher, or GS-9 or higher) (p.10)
Two Letters of Recommendation Requirement—exception for one letter only exists for SARCs. If you are a SAPR VA and your SARC and Supervisor are the same person, you need to ask the next person in your chain to complete another letter.
If you are a SARC requesting the exception, please be sure to check this box on bottom of p.2 where Applicant Checklist is listed.
SARC Requirement for Senior Commanding Officer letter. If you do not have a Senior Commander who is an 0-6 or higher in your installation/AOR (i.e., the 0-6 is deployed), you need to include an requesting an exception to policy. Board will consider this exception but every attempt should be made to meet these rank requirements.
SAPR VA Requirement. SARCs must include their title as “SARC” when signing letter. If the installation SARC is a contract SARC, he/she can sign this letter although they cannot apply for certification. Recommend this be signed by the Installation SARC.
Remind participants SHARP terminology not being acceptable for either applicant or SARC/Supervisor signing letter.
Letters must consistently use same applicant terms through (i.e., SAPR VA and SARC). Terms such as SARC/VA, SHARP VA, SARP will not be accepted. We need to make sure that the individual recommending you is clear on your role and responsibilities.
Make sure all empty boxes are filled out in letter—include recommender’s name and date at top, applicant’s name and correct status throughout (3 times), date of interview, and recommender’s name, title, rank and signature at bottom.
Most incomplete applications are incomplete due to the letter of recommendation!

8. Applicant Review & Notification
D-SAACP FY13 Quarterly Deadlines:
Applicants receive notification within two weeks of D- SAACP Review Committee meeting with status update (approval, disproval, request for more information)
D-SAACP Certificate, Wallet-Size ID Card and Confirmation letter will follow by mail
D-SAACP Review Committee is comprised of over 20 nationally-recognized SMEs in military and civilian sexual assault prevention and response. Each application is vetted by two (2) SMEs.
Remember if you PCS, move or relocate you will need to notify D-SAACP of your new mailing address.

9. SARC Tools D-SAACP Instruction Sheet (www.sapr.mil)
NOVA’s D-SAACP Decision Tree (
D-SAACP Commander’s Guide (forthcoming)
Whiteboard Animation Video (forthcoming)
SAAM Certified Advocate Appreciation Day (information forthcoming)

10. Questions and Answers More Questions?
D-SAACP c/o National Organization for Victim Assistance King Street, Suite Alexandria, VA ( s must come from a .mil address)
Phone:
Fax: ; Attn: D-SAACP