IMPORTANT NOTICE

OAN Changes Take Effect June 2019

Beginning with the June 2019 application cycle, OAN applications will no longer be accepted at the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Division, and must be mailed to:

Ohio Victim Witness Association
Attn: Ohio Advocate Network
90 Northwoods Blvd, Suite B-6
Columbus, OH 43235

Also beginning June 2019, individuals with questions about the OAN registration process or those seeking technical assistance with an application will be directed to OVWA Program Director Janet Doolan at:

614-787-9000
janet@ovwa.org

Since its formation in 1994, the Ohio Advocate Network has relied exclusively upon volunteer efforts to provide all administrative support and to perform all associated activities of the credentialing organization. During this 25-year span, OAN has maintained a close direct partnership with the Ohio Victim Witness Association.

In 2017, OVWA was fortunate to embark upon a new journey, with paid staff and the creation of an official statewide office.

In a planned transition during 2019, the Ohio Advocate Network will relocate a “home base” to the OVWA statewide office, and OVWA staff will provide administrative support for OAN’s Registered Advocate program.

In compliance with its Bylaws, OAN will continue to utilize a volunteer Committee comprised of multidisciplinary victim service providers to review and approve all applications for the Registered Advocate credential.

This is a welcome transition that will benefit the OAN program as well as Registered Advocates, though it will involve some procedural changes. The next renewal of your OAN Registered Advocate status is January 2021, and you will be directly affected by these changes.

During 2019, complete information about all the OAN program updates will be disseminated in various ways and will also be posted on the Ohio Advocate Network here.