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The mission of TVSA is support, education, and recognition for victim service providers. |
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Texas Victim Services Association Newsletter
Winter 2026 |
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Message from the Executive Director
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By Jeni Pirtle, BA
Happy new year from TVSA! We hope that you have stayed safe and warm during the recent winter storm that impacted much of the state, with appreciation for the vital work you do as victim services providers, whatever the climate and circumstances may be.
In 2026, we have much to look forward to. Thanks to continued grant funding, the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) is now in its fifth year of helping systems- and community-based programs become more trauma-informed in their services for crime victims. Later this month, we will hold the ninth Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance (TAAVA), a leadership and management academy for aspiring and established supervisors in victim services. In March, we will hold this program year's second training of the TAAVA Alumni Network. You can read more about TVFI and the TAAVA Alumni Network below in this newsletter.
We hope you will also take a moment to honor and remember Verna Lee Carrr, a visionary leader in grassroots victim services and a beloved TVSA member, who passed on December 1, 2025.
Her legacy is a reminder of the far-reaching impact on crime victims and their communities through this profession. Throughout the year ahead, I hope you will be inspired by this shared legacy of healing work, and encourage you to stay connected with your TVSA peers and colleagues, with whom you can always find support. |
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By Mary Breaux, PhD
I hope the new year is off to a strong and meaningful start for you, and that as spring approaches, your resolutions are steadily crossing the line from intention to action—from resolution to resolve. In a field as demanding as victim services, this transition often requires intentional self-reflection, grace, and self-care. I feel confident you will get there, because every day you help others move toward healing and accomplishment through your dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to this work. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an exceptional group of dedicated TVSA members and collaborative professionals across organizations and agencies statewide. Your willingness to work together in support of victims strengthens our collective mission and reinforces the importance of community, reflection, and shared purpose. TVSA remains committed to finding meaningful ways to ensure your membership dollars go further—by offering valuable resources, opportunities for professional growth, and spaces to learn, share, and connect—because membership truly matters. Your work on behalf of crime victims is deeply admirable. Your voice matters, and we genuinely want to hear from you. Please never hesitate to reach out to TVSA with your ideas, reflections, or feedback. Wishing you a restorative and rewarding spring season. Thank you for your continued service to the incredible communities of Texas. |
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By Natacha Peláez-Wagner, M.Ed., Program Specialist
Our advanced academy’s Alumni Network held its first quarterly meeting on December 18th. The featured program was part one of two on grants, in response to requests from many of our academy alumni. Our trainer, Leticia Vizcaino, spent close to 25 years of her career in grants work in New Mexico and then in El Paso County, from where she retired as Grants Department Manager in 2025. In this first part of her training, titled Grants: Enhancing Your Skills, Ms. Vizcaino led attendees through a look at grants research and application processes, and provided many tips and tools for this work. Our featured alumna segment for the meeting was presented by Diane Bocklage, Family Violence Services Coordinator of the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) and TAAVA class of 2024, who presented on the resources available to victim services programs statewide by TCFV.
The next virtual meeting of the network will be held on March 11th, when Ms. Vizcaino will continue with her grants training, presenting the second part on grants management and reporting. Our featured alumna, Katie Barton, Family Advocate Supervisor of the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center and TAAVA Class of 2025, will share information about the work of our state’s advocacy centers and their resources and partnering opportunities with other local respective victim services programs. All TAAVA alumni are welcome to attend! Registration is free and is now open here: REGISTER. 1.0 CEU will be available. |
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Texas Victim Friendly Initiative |
Earlier this fall, the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) program embarked on its fifth year of working with selected project sites interested in becoming more trauma-informed (victim-friendly) in their services to crime victims.
Following TVSA’s program methodology, the six selected sites (two law enforcement agencies, two prosecutors’ offices, and two community-based non-profit organizations) have completed their baseline activities, an organizational self-assessment and a staff survey, to determine their level of victim friendliness at project start, based on knowledge, practices, perceptions and attitudes in their agencies. They are now working on their action plans, based on the findings of their assessments and surveys, to become more trauma-informed over the course of the project year. TVSA’s Program Specialist facilitates and supports their progress and is available for technical assistance and help with resources toward this end.
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.
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Remembering Verna Lee Carr
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It was with great sorrow that those of us at TVSA learned of Verna Lee Carr’s passing on December 1, 2025. For almost four decades Verna Lee was a fixture in Texas grassroots victim services. She worked tirelessly at the helm of People Against Violent Crime, assisting countless crime victims with ancillary services. She stood with many of our victim services organizations and professionals to advance legislation in Texas to improve rights of and services to crime victims. In Austin, she was a key part of annual Crime Victims’ Rights Week events and ceremonies. Her lasting legacy will be the Tree of Angels, established by her in 1991 to honor crime victims and their families during the holiday season. Each year, the Governor of Texas has honored her legacy by designating the first week of December as Tree of Angels Week, a tradition that has now grown and been embraced by systems and community-based entities all across our state.
Verna Lee was a steadfast member and friend of TVSA since its inception. She renewed her membership promptly every year, and for many years ensured that People Against Violent Crime supported our training conference through sponsorship. We will miss her greatly and extend our deepest condolences to her surviving family members.
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By LeShae Haynes, BA, Membership Committee Chair
Hello everyone!
On behalf of your Regional Coordinators—Kristi Thompson (Region A), Belinda Beltrán Swan (Region B), Brenda Fuentes (Region F) and myself in Region D—we hope you all enjoyed the holidays and are staying warm and safe during this unpredictable weather. As we step into a new year, let's take a moment to honor the courage it takes to do this work day in and day out, standing alongside victims in some of their hardest moments.
We would like to invite you to consider an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community/region! We currently have Regional Coordinator board vacancies for Region C (Northeast - Dallas/Fort Worth/Tyler) and Region E (West - El Paso/Midland/San Angelo). If you’re passionate about getting involved and driving positive change in your region, we would love to hear from you! Please do not hesitate to reach out to either Natacha Pelaez-Wagner, our Program Specialist, at tvfi@txvsa.org or myself for more details. May this year bring opportunities for renewal, supportive connections, and reminders of why your work matters. Wishing you all an amazing year!
Regional Coordinator Updates:
Region A Coordinator, Kristi Thompson, (Panhandle-Amarillo/Lubbock/ Wichita Falls), KThompson@lubbockcounty.gov: Region A is still rocking along, and we would love to add to the region, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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 eager to continue expanding and sharing TVSA with new members. If you are a member of Region D and are aware of any emerging organizations, please feel free to email me their information. I would love to connect with them. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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 |
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We welcome the following new member who has joined TVSA in the last quarter:
Mackenzie Kile, Dallas
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 |
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TAAVA Alumni Network Meetings
Grant Management and Reporting
March 11, 2026
Register June 10, 2026 Virtual
September 9, 2026 Virtual
Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance
February 25-27, 2026
Deputy A.W. Grimes Law Enforcement Training Center, Hutto
TVSA 2027 Biennial Training Conference
May 4-7, 2027
South Padre Island |
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Victim Services Job Board
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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 |
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President
Mary Breaux, PhD
Huntsville Past President
Rose Luna, MSLC
Austin Secretary
Sarah Lackey, MSSW, LCSW
Austin Treasurer
Vacant Region A Coordinator
Kristi Thompson, JM
Lubbock |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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