The mission of TVSA is support, education, and recognition for victim service providers.

Texas Victim Services Association

Newsletter
Spring 2026

In This Issue

Message from the Executive Director

President's Column

Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance

Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance (TAAVA) Alumni Network

Texas Victim Friendly Initiative

Board Spotlight: Marycarmen Wisner

Membership Matters

Welcome New Members

Save the Date

Victim Services Job Board

Board of Directors

Message from the Executive Director

By Jeni Pirtle, BA

This week is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed every year in April since its proclamation in 1981. It is an opportunity to continue uplifting crime victims, whose voices shape the victim assistance movement. It is also an invitation for collective reflection.

Our programs at TVSA are vison- and mission-driven. TVSA’s vision is the delivery of a full range of consistent, high-quality, professional services to crime victims, their families, and communities. We believe that support, education, and recognition for the victim service providers who engage in this essential, healing work are instrumental in the realization of this vision. This intersection between mission and vision is embodied in programs like the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative, a quality improvement plan to make services more trauma-informed that has been completed by 24 agencies so far, with six more sites in progress.

President's Column

By Mary Breaux, PhD

Spring is in the air!

As we enjoy this season, it also serves as a meaningful reminder of the dedication and impact of victim service organizations across Texas, while providing an opportunity to honor crime victims nationwide.

April marks two important awareness observances focused on supporting victims—Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month—both bringing attention to the important work taking place in communities across the state.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week offers a time to come together to recognize the impact of crime, honor survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing victims’ rights and services. It is also a moment to reflect on our shared purpose: recognizing the resilience of crime victims and supporting those who provide critical resources for healing.

At TVSA, we remain committed to supporting individuals and organizations that serve crime victims. As always, please feel free to reach out to me or any TVSA board member with feedback, ideas, or ways we can continue to support you.

In February, TVSA held its 10^th annual Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance. The academy provides leadership and management training for aspiring and established victim services supervisors. Curriculum topics include program development, funding, emotional intelligence, and more, all designed around working in a trauma-based profession.

Bailey Vautrain, a CyberTipLine Analyst at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, shares her experience: “TAAVA did an incredible job at breaking down the important concepts into bits of wisdom that can be applied into all the different facets of our field. The absolute best part of the training was of course the opportunity to meet others in our line of work, to encourage and support, and to see that we are not in this fight alone."

Thirty students completed this year’s academy, who are now part of the TAAVA Alumni Network! We were also pleased to welcome six new members.

Next year’s academy will be held January 20-22, 2027, at the Williamson County Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutto, Texas. Applications will open in the fall. Please contact director@txvsa.org in the meantime with any questions about the academy.

By Natacha Peláez-Wagner, M.Ed., Program Specialist

First, we welcomed our Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance Class of 2026 to our Alumni Network with a presentation about the network on the last day of their academy class. We invited them to attend the very next quarterly meeting after their academy completion, and were pleased to see several attend.

The alumni network’s second quarterly meeting was held on March 11th. The featured program was part two of our training on grants, in response to requests from many of our academy alumni. Our trainer from part one on grant research and application, Leticia Vizcaíno, returned to present on grant management and reporting. With 25 years in grants work, including retiring as grants department manager of El Paso County, Ms. Vizcaino drew on her vast experience managing and reporting on an extensive number of grants, including many VOCA and VAWA grants. Our featured alumna segment for the meeting was presented by Katie Barton, Family Advocate Supervisor of the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center and TAAVA Class of 2025, who presented on the children’s advocacy center model in Texas, as well as the work and resources of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, the state association of all Texas centers.

The next virtual meeting of the network will be held on June 10th, with a training on Effective Time Management Strategies to Maximize your Workday, and a featured alumna segment on FBI victim services. Save the date! All TAAVA alumni are welcome to attend! Registration is free and will open on May 6th. 1.0 CEU will be available.

Our six project sites for this year are hard at work on their action plans, working on selected priorities toward becoming more trauma-informed in their service delivery to crime victims. Their plans were developed based on the results of their baseline organizational self-assessments and staff surveys, which yielded information on those areas of their practices and operations where they could become more victim friendly.

In the next several issues of our newsletter, we want to introduce you to this year’s project sites. This issue, we present to you the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office and the Converse Police Department.

Jennifer Cantu, of the Wharton County Victim Services Division and Felony Legal Assistant to District Attorney Mark Racer is the TVFI project team lead for the office. In stating the interest of their office in participating in TVFI, she shared that, “Our agency decided to apply as a project site this year because we actively continue to be the best version of ourselves in our role working with crime victims. It is of the utmost importance for WCDA (Wharton County District Attorney’s Office) to reflect and hold ourselves accountable in where we can be better. Our office has never had clear rules, policies, or guidelines on how to be crime victims providers - we have oftentimes just “run with it” and done what worked. We have worked hard to build the victims services division and part of that is growing in ways that we never imagined before TVFI: establishing a foundation to have in place for our crime victims, team and entire office to grow from and be better."

One of our law enforcement project sites this year is the Converse Police Department. Their TVFI project team lead is Jo Marie Montague, Crime Victim Advocate of the Department. She expressed that, “The Converse Police Department is honored to be participating in the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative. We recognize that trauma is a reality in the lives of many victims who encounter law enforcement. We understand that the effects of trauma can influence how victims think, feel, and respond in the moment and long after. Our goal in participation in the Initiative is to be able to demonstrate a more trauma- informed and victim friendly environment and response to the victims we encounter."

As these sites, along with the other four project participants this year, continue to work on their own goals and priorities, they will come together this spring in an All Sites meeting, where they will become acquainted with one another and share their respective sites’ successes in accomplishing goals set in their action plans, and discussing any challenges they may still be working toward resolving. 

 If you are interested in the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative Program for the next project cycle (contingent upon continued grant funding) please contact tvfi@txvsa.org for more information.

Board Spotlight: Marycarmen Wisner

Our featured board member for this quarter is Marycarmen Wisner, recently appointed as an at-large member.

Marycarmen Wisner’s career in victim services began with the Manor Police Department (MPD), where she worked from 2020 to mid-2023. During her time there, she had the unique opportunity to be a pilot participant in the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) through TVSA. That experience was pivotal in shaping both her professional path and her understanding of victim advocacy within a law enforcement setting.

MPD provided the foundation for Marycarmen to truly understand what it means to be a system-based advocate. She began to see the importance of integrating advocacy directly into law enforcement practices, and how meaningful impact can be made when victims are met with compassion, understanding, and intentional support within the system.

That opportunity ultimately led Marycarmen to pursue her current role with the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office (TCSO), where her responsibilities have grown significantly. In this role, she has deepened her understanding of trauma and has worked to implement meaningful changes that promote trauma-informed, victim-centered practices, strengthen peer support initiatives for staff, and develop new programs that support both victims and those who serve them. In addition, Marycarmen's experience at her previous agency led her to pursue TCSO's participation in TVFI, feeling confident that its benefits would help strengthen their commitment to victims and make their services even more accessible and supportive. She served as TCSO's TVFI project team lead for the 2024-2025 program year.

Of her membership in TVSA and her service as a board member, Marycarmen says, “TVSA is an invaluable resource to both me and TCSO because it creates a space for connection, learning, and shared purpose across the victim services field. TVSA brings together professionals from diverse disciplines, allowing us to collaborate, exchange best practices, and stay informed on emerging trends and policies that impact our work.

Serving on the Board of TVSA is both an honor and responsibility that I hold deeply. It allows me to contribute on a broader scale while also representing the voices, challenges, and needs of those working directly in the field every day. This role is meaningful to me because it aligns with my passion for advocacy, collaboration, and systemic improvement... and the belief that when we center victims, we strengthen the entire system.” 

Membership Matters

By LeShae Haynes, BA, Membership Committee Chair

Hello everyone, and welcome new members! This month, we honor National Crime Victims' Rights Week — a time dedicated to uplifting survivors, reaffirming their rights, and recognizing the vital work of advocates and partners in our community. We are excited about the events honoring crime victims taking place throughout the regions. In alignment with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we would like to say thank you for the compassion you bring to this work each day and for helping to create a safer, more informed, and more resilient community. As the season renews itself, may you also feel renewed in your purpose, knowing that your work plants seeds of hope every single day. May this new season bring you fresh energy, new inspiration, and gentle reminders to care for yourself with the same compassion you give to others.

Regional Coordinator Updates:

Region A Coordinator, Kristi Thompson, (Panhandle-Amarillo/Lubbock/ Wichita Falls), KThompson@lubbockcounty.gov: Region A's Texas Dispute Resolution System™ (TDRS) was honored to have TVSA Program Specialist Natacha Pelaez-Wagner provide a webinar on March 27^th entitled “A Trauma-Informed Approach for Mediators." More than 70 people participated across the state, the largest virtual audience TDRS has had in several years.  This level of participation emphasizes the importance of being trauma-informed for professionals in many different fields.  TDRS appreciates Natacha sharing her expertise! 

Region B Coordinator, Belinda Beltrán Swan, (Central-Austin /Waco/San Antonio), bbswan@ncmec.org. 

Region C Coordinator, Vacant (Northeast-Dallas/ Fort Worth/Tyler).

Region D Coordinator, LeShae Haynes,(Southeast-Beaumont/Houston/College Station), leshae.haynes@fortbendcountytx.gov: In Region D, we are continuing to promote TVSA and are excited about the upcoming events for National Crime Victims' Rights Week. It will be a busy week in Region D!

• The Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office will host an awareness walk on Wednesday, April 22nd. For more information, please email Leshae.Haynes@fortbendcountytx.gov . 
• The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office will be hosting an awareness fair and candlelight vigil on Tuesday, April 21^st. For more information contact JoshuaC@brazoriacountytx.gov . 
• Additionally, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office Crime Victim Unit will hold a luncheon on Thursday, April 23rd. For more details, contact lauram@brazoriacountytx.gov . 
• Alvin Police Department will also have a luncheon and butterfly release on Tuesday, April 21^st. For more information, please contact mcooper@apd.cityofalvin.com .

Region E Coordinator, Vacant (West-El Paso/Midland/San Angelo).

Region F Coordinator, Brenda Fuentes, (South-Corpus Christi/Laredo/McAllen), brenda.fuentes@da.co.hidalgo.tx.us.

Not sure what region you are in? Check out our regional map and lists to see where your county lies in our TVSA regions! TVSA Regions

We welcome the following new members who have recently joined TVSA:

Kimberly Chapman, Fort Worth

Chrissy Cortes, Conroe

Julia Dewitt, Austin

Samantha Lehman, Huntsville

Wendy Macleod, Hewitt

Katie Moncivais, Austin

Stephanie Ritcherson, Austin

Megan Sissom, Austin

Mandy Wilson, Austin

And a special welcome to our newest agency member:

Safer Path Family Violence Shelter, Pleasanton

Imelda Gomez

Andrea Rathmell

Cindy Rodriguez

Rhonda Williamson 

TVSA Membership

Interested in connecting with your victim services colleagues to support the work of TVSA in growing and sustaining high quality, professional level victim services through education, support and recognition of victim service providers in Texas? Go to Join TVSA to join TVSA, or for more information about membership and its benefits.

Is your TVSA profile up to date?

Keeping your profile updated ensures you receive all TVSA communications, including training events and notices. Follow this link to view and edit your TVSA profile: txvsa.org/Sys/Profile

TAAVA Alumni Network Meetings

June 10, 2026

Effective Time Management Strategies to Maximize your Workday

Virtual

Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance 

January 20-22, 2027

Deputy A.W. Grimes Law Enforcement Training Center, Hutto

TVSA 2027 Biennial Training Conference

May 4-7, 2027

Margaritaville Beach Resort, South Padre Island

Victim Services Job Board

TVSA has a job board on our website! We have retooled the job board to make it easier for employers to submit job postings. Employers wishing to post a victim services position opening can fill out a form online to submit their posting to TVSA. Please send us your available job listings!

Victim services professionals engaged in job searches can view postings as well, with links to the human resources departments of pertinent agencies and/or applications directly for the listed positions. The job board is available at this link: http://www.txvsa.org/Active-Job-Postings

Board of Directors

President
Mary Breaux, PhD
Huntsville

Past President
Rose Luna, MSLC
Austin

Secretary
Sarah Lackey, MSSW, LCSW
Austin

Treasurer
Katie Moncivais, BA
Austin

Region A Coordinator
Kristi Thompson, JM
Lubbock

Region B Coordinator
Belinda Beltrán Swan, MPAff
Austin

Region C Coordinator
Vacant

Region D Coordinator
LeShae Haynes, BA
Richmond

Region E Coordinator
Vacant

Region F Coordinator
Brenda Fuentes
Edinburg

At-Large Member
Patricia Lerma, MA
McAllen

At-Large Member
Christina Richardson, MS, LPC
Dallas

At-Large Member
Roman Sanchez
San Antonio

At-Large Member
Marycarmen Wisner, MPA
Fort Worth

Ex-Officio
Jeni Pirtle, BA
Austin

THE TEXAS VICTIM SERVICES ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY. Please forward articles, announcements, shout outs, job openings, training information, reviews, information and other items of interest to info@txvsa.org. Be sure and let us know if your email changes.

Texas Victim Services Association is very grateful for the support of its sponsors, members, friends and colleagues. TVSA does not specifically endorse or recommend any referral resources or vendors over others.

Copyright © 2026 Texas Victim Services Association. All rights reserved.

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