New Directions:
Strategies for Implementation—
Tools for Action Guide

The Strategies for Implementation—Tools for Action Guide provides valuable resources for implementing the recommendations, ideas, and promising practices contained in New Directions. The section on Global Strategies for Implementation suggests approaches for justice system agencies, victim service providers, allied professionals, public policymakers, and interested citizens to consider when beginning the challenging task of implementing the many innovative programs, policies, and recommendations highlighted in New Directions on the local, State, Tribal, national, and international levels.

The section on Suggested Events To Promote New Directions identifies key first steps that can be undertaken to launch implementation efforts such as creating a statewide task force, sponsoring a community forum, and dedicating a conference plenary session. The Tools for Public Speaking section includes a sample speech and suggested talking points that can be used when making presentations about New Directions. The section entitled Camera-Ready Resources provides useful overheads formatted for reproduction to enhance speaker presentations, and camera-ready public awareness pocket cards that can be reproduced and distributed as handouts at a variety of professional training and community education events.

The section entitled Getting the Word Out About New Directions contains a variety of tools to increase public awareness, including a sample opinion/editorial column, press release, and newsletter article. Sample letters encouraging criminal justice agencies, allied professional associations, and public officials to take decisive action to implement New Directions are also provided in this section.

While New Directions contains nearly 450 pages of information, it can seem overwhelming to some first-time readers. Therefore, an Index is provided in this Guide for easy access to information contained in New Directions. In addition, the section entitled Master List of New Directions Recommendations provides a comprehensive overview of recommendations contained in each of New Directions' 18 chapters, formatted by chapter for distribution.

Also included is a videotape and accompanying discussion guide about New Directions. The Office for Victims of Crime supported the development of the New Directions from the Field: Victims' Rights and Services for the 21st Century videotape to serve as an introduction and overview of New Directions. The videotape will be distributed widely and as a result, the final section of this Guide provides suggested discussion questions for a variety of viewing audiences.