The Department Of Veteran Affairs Approves CFI Certification For Federal GI Bill

CHICAGO, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Interviewers (IAI) is pleased to announce that its Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI) certification was approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs as an eligible program for reimbursement via the Federal GI Bill.  The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was recently signed into law and expanded the benefits, which now includes benefits for active service National Guard as well as all other active service military personnel. Veterans who have served at least 90 days of active duty service after September 10, 2001 and received an honorable discharge will also qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. More information regarding the GI Bill and its programs is located at www.gibill.va.gov.

"IAI values the contributions of our military personnel and the service they provide to our country," said Wayne Hoover, Vice President of IAI (www.iaofi.org). "We worked hard with the Department of Veteran Affairs to make available the CFI program so that veterans can make a transition into the interview and interrogation field via the certification." 

The Certified Forensic Interviewer designation is the only advanced level certification for interviewers and interrogators. The 15 core competencies range from the legal aspects of interview and interrogation all the way to field interviews. 1,600 of the more than 6,000 members of the IAI earned the certification. More information regarding the Certified Forensic Interviewer exam and preparation is available at http://www.iaofi.org/CFI-Exam-Information.

"The skill set that military personnel learn and refine in their roles to successfully serve our Country is the same skill set that is the foundation for success as a Certified Forensic Interviewer.  Discipline, integrity, attention to detail, ability to execute according to directions, and loyalty to organization are the hallmarks of a good serviceman," said Melissa Mitchell, CFI, SGT USAF 1983 (Lifeway Christian Bookstores).  "Veterans carry the qualities they gained in their service with them as they transition from the military to serving civilian organizations.  Having experienced the benefits of that compatible skill set personally in my own civilian career, I have intentionally sought out that same skill set in candidates for my Loss Prevention team knowing that not only will my company benefit, but I am also honoring those who have served our great Nation."

About IAI: The mission of the International Association of Interviewers is to provide educational, business and networking opportunities to interviewers from all disciplines. The IAI will foster this growth through educational, business and social networking opportunities to engage other thought leaders and to increase members' core interview skill sets using the latest information from legal, psychological, and practitioners, which will form the timely transfer of educational information.

For more information on IAI or for the Certified Forensic Interviewer program, please visit us at www.IAofI.org or contact Jen Zeigler, Executive Coordinator, at our Veterans Hotline (800) 222-7789 ext.106 or via e-mail: [email protected].

Contact: Bill Pawlucy, CAE, Executive Director
International Association of Interviewers
651-236-0901

SOURCE International Association of Interviewers