IJIS Institute Rolls Out Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN) Technology Help Desk

Ashburn, VA, August 22, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The IJIS Institute, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mission-critical information sharing for justice, public safety, and homeland security, has implemented the SAVIN Technology Knowledge Center and Help Desk. The SAVIN Technology Help Desk—designed, implemented, and supported by the Institute—went live on July 23, 2013. This project was developed through a subcontract from the National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA), which was funded by a Cooperative Agreement from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

SAVIN programs provide the ability for victims and the general public to access information on offenders who are incarcerated, under community supervision, or have a pending court case; and, also allow for automated notification of changes in their custody status or legal proceedings. Allowing victims access to information or the receipt of notifications from one source within their state is invaluable in their ability to make more informed decisions for their safety.

The SAVIN Technology Help Desk is designed to provide an online knowledge center of reference materials that will provide both public and private sector constituencies with access to the appropriate level of assistance with the use of national information sharing standards. In addition to the ability to ask specific questions of SAVIN technology experts, the Help Desk includes a Frequently Asked Questions feature and a Helpful Links page.

John Daugherty, CIO of the Montana Department of Corrections, said: “The SAVIN Help Desk is an invaluable resource to any jurisdiction considering the adoption of the SAVIN standard. Here, they will be able to access the most current information about the standard, as well as get their questions answered by experts.”

This site promotes the adoption, use, and reuse of the SAVIN Information Exchange Package Document (IEPD), SAVIN Service Specification Package (SSP), National Information Exchange Model (NIEM), and other critical national programs, such as the Global Justice Reference Architecture (GRA) and Global Federated Identity Privilege Management (GFIPM).

Steve Ambrosini, executive director of the IJIS Institute said, “The SAVIN Technology Knowledge Center and Help Desk is exactly what is needed to spread the knowledge about how to improve information sharing capabilities through the adoption of national standards for victim notification.”

SAVIN practitioners and technologists will be the primary users of the system; however, anyone wanting to learn more about national information sharing standards and how they apply to victim information and notification systems are encouraged to create an account to gain access to the system.

For more information, visit the help desk website at: http://savin-hd.custhelp.com/app/home; or, call 1-855-809-3421 or email SAVINhelp@ijis.org for help.

About the IJIS Institute—The IJIS Institute unites the private and public sectors to improve mission-critical information sharing for those who protect and serve our communities. The IJIS Institute provides training, technical assistance, national scope issue management, and program management services to help government fully realize the power of information sharing. Founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with national headquarters on The George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, the IJIS Institute has grown to over 280 member companies and individual associates from government, non-profit, and educational institutions from across the United States. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.ijis.org/; follow us on Twitter @ijisinstitute; read the IJIS Factor Blog; or, join us on LinkedIn at Justice and Public Safety Information Sharing.