MADD victim services depend upon volunteers to help serve the victims/survivors of impaired driving crashes. The role of a volunteer victim advocate is very important and requires specialized training. The Beginning Victim Assistance Training Institute (VATI) offers a solid foundation necessary for those who wish to serve victims/survivors in need. Once participants have completed the Beginning VATI, they may begin providing advocacy services. Skills and abilities that volunteer victim advocates need to posses are sensitivity to the needs of others, ability to communicate effectively, ethical behavior, and respect for confidentiality. Volunteer victim advocates may provide the following services.

• Inform victims/survivors about drunk driving laws and victim rights in KY
• Accompany victims/survivors to criminal proceedings when schedules permit
• Provide emotional support
• Refer victims/survivors to community resources

For more information and for information on scholarship availability for training, please contact the MADD state office at 1(800) 944-6233.

MADD Kentucky is also recruiting volunteers to participate in a new court monitoring project to be carried out in Clay, Leslie, and Gallatin Counties.  Please contact Sharon Tankersley at 800-944-6233 or sharon.tankersley@madd.org for more information.  While the three counties cited above will be the first to launch, this program can and will be expanded into additional counties.