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The mission of TVSA is support, education, and recognition for victim service providers. |
Texas Victim Services Association Newsletter
Summer 2026 |
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Message from the Executive Director
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By Jeni Pirtle, BA
TVSA has enjoyed a productive summer, with our third quarterly training of the TAAVA Alumni Network held in June, and all sites of the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative having made significant progress in their action plans toward becoming more trauma-informed. There is also lots to be excited about with fall around the corner! Applications for the 11th annual Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance (TAAVA) will open on September 15th. This academy equips aspiring and established victim services supervisors with leadership and management skills in a trauma-based profession. Planning is also under way for TVSA's biennial training conference in the spring. Save the date now for our conference, which will be held May 4-7, 2027, at the Margaritaville Beach Resort on South Padre Island! We look forward to sharing more information, including a call for workshop proposals, in coming months. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and wish you smooth transitions as fall approaches! |
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By Mary Breaux, PhD
Greetings,
As we begin to say goodbye to summer and welcome the arrival of fall, victim service providers and organizations across Texas remain steadfast in their commitment to serving victims and survivors. With each new season comes an opportunity to reflect on our progress, embrace new possibilities, and build on our collective efforts to create meaningful and lasting change.
While Texas Victim Services Association (TVSA) is excited to welcome new members, we remain equally committed to strengthening connections with our current members and the broader victim services community. We will continue creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, professional development, and networking that support the critical work of victim service professionals throughout Texas. We are also proud to highlight the exceptional work being done by TVSA and victim service providers across our state with colleagues and partners nationwide. We believe the best is yet to come and look forward to the opportunities ahead to learn, grow, and expand our impact.
We wish each of you a season filled with growth, reflection, and new opportunities. Your ideas, expertise, and engagement are invaluable, and we welcome your feedback on how TVSA can best support you. We look forward to working alongside you as we continue to advance TVSA's mission of supporting, educating, and recognizing victim service providers while building on the strong foundation established by the dedicated leaders who came before us. Thank you for your continued commitment to victims, survivors, and the profession we are honored to serve. |
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Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance |
The 2027 Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance will be held January 20-22, 2027, in Hutto, Texas. 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. Applicants should have at least three years of volunteer and/or professional experience in victim services and must be able to attend the academy in its entirety. Benefits of attending the academy include, in the words of alumni: "I loved connecting and networking with other emerging leaders and processing common challenges." "The knowledge I gained to build a proper structure for future employees." "Training with topics specific to leadership and management in this field of victim services and assistance. There's a lot of leadership training out there but not for this field, so thank you!" Applications will be open on our website from September 15 - October 29, 2026. Please contact director@txvsa.org in the meantime with any questions about the academy. |
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Texas Victim Friendly Initiative |
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By Natacha Peláez-Wagner, M.Ed., Program Specialist
It has been a busy summer for our Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) program sites, as they have worked to complete their project year activities with us, aimed at becoming more trauma-informed in their services to crime victims in their communities. In May, we convened all six project teams of this year for an All Sites meeting, where each team lead shared their progress on becoming more victim friendly, and highlighted successes and improvements in their goals through the work on their project action plans. Some sites also shared challenges, and the meeting allowed for engagement with peers to share ideas and strategies they have found useful in their own programs.
In our last newsletter issue, we introduced you to two of our project sites, the Converse Police Department and the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office. In this issue, we present our two community-based non-profit sites, The Turning Point, Plano, serving sexual assault survivors, and Hope Restored Missions, also in Plano, providing an array of services to people experiencing housing insecurity, among them victims of crime. The two agencies’ Texas Victim Friendly Initiative team leads shared their experiences working through our TVFI year-long program in their own words:
Amy Lawrence, Senior Director of Programs: “At The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center, being trauma-informed in how we work with survivors is an essential part of our mission. When the opportunity to participate in the TVFI program came up, we were excited to use the initiative to strengthen our agency’s capacity, as well as that of our staff and volunteers, to provide survivor support and care rooted in trauma-informed principles. We have departments and services including counseling, advocacy, nursing, outreach, and administration, and TVFI has helped us ensure trauma-informed principles are integrated throughout the agency and applied consistently.
The most valuable aspect of the program was assembling a cross-department team to evaluate how each trauma-informed element was currently being applied and where we could improve. Some of the actions were simple and involved only minor changes, but in other cases we realized that the principles were applied inconsistently across departments. We were able to identify gaps in training and procedures and take immediate action to address them. Ultimately, the program helped us develop an agency-wide strategy, including multiple all-staff trainings, to ensure everyone understood trauma-informed principles and how to apply them in their roles.”
Tenita Madding, Case Manager: “Hope Restored Missions wanted to take part in the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative because our mission is rooted in serving people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, including individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and other crimes. Many of the people we serve have experienced trauma, crisis, instability, and barriers to safety, housing, and healing. Participating in this initiative gives us the opportunity to strengthen our ability to provide services that are trauma-informed, victim-centered, compassionate, and responsive to the unique needs of survivors.
Through the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative, we are evaluating and improving our policies, practices, staff training, community partnerships, and client interactions so that every person who comes to us feel respected, heard, and supported. We believe that becoming more victim friendly will help us better recognize the signs and impacts of trauma, respond with greater sensitivity, and connect survivors to the resources they need to move toward safety, stability, and restored hope.
Our participation reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and to providing high-quality services that honor the dignity, rights, and lived experiences of those we serve. We want Hope Restored Missions to be a safe and trusted place where survivors and vulnerable community members can begin to rebuild their lives with care, support, and hope.”
As our project sites wrap up their year of work with TVSA on becoming more trauma-informed, they will undergo their year-end self-assessments and staff surveys in September. TVSA will analyze their year-end results in comparison to their baseline results at project year start and will award them victim friendly agency designations based on these results. We are grateful to the Texas Governor’s Office Public Safety Office for grant funding to be able to provide this program in our state.
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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Our advanced academy’s alumni network third quarterly meeting, our summer session, was held on June 10th. In keeping with our continuing education trainings in management and leadership, our topic presented was Time Management Strategies to Maximize Your Workday. Our TVSA Program Specialist Natacha Peláez-Wagner presented an interesting session providing many examples of time management practices employed by successful leaders, male and female, drawing on them for our own work environments in victim services. She also discussed how these same strategies can be employed personally as well as professionally, offering synergy in our everyday lives. The training was followed by our featured alumni segment, presented by Cheryl Moores, assistant director for the FBI victim services in Washington, D.C. Previously based in the bureau’s Houston region field office within victim services, she has been a TVSA member for many years and completed our academy in 2021. She has continued to renew her annual membership at TVSA since relocating for her national position. She also included information about victim services vacancies in the agency, and about the application process for victim services at the FBI.
The next virtual meeting of the network will be held on September 9th. Our trainer, Ken Henry, a former TVSA board member, who will present on Nine Steps to Highly Effective Collaboration. Collaboration is an important practice for successful victim services programs, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Office for Victims of Crime’s model program and competency standards and TVSA’s own Texas Victim Friendly Initiative program elements. Ken is a dynamic trainer and has presented on the topic to excellent reviews at our 2019 state conference. It is also the subject of his recently published book of the same name. Registration is free and now open here. All academy alumni are invited to join us on September 9th! |
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Board Spotlight: Mackenzie Kile
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Our featured board member for this quarter is Mackenzie Kile, elected this year as Secretary.
Mackenzie Kile is the Site Coordinator for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Division and Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a program funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a role she has held for seven years. She recently received her Master of Science in Victim Services Management and is now a Doctoral Candidate in the Doctorate of Criminal Justice Program at Arizona State University. Her education and training also include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Post-Master’s Certificate in Trauma Informed Clinical Practice, and an Undergraduate Certificate in Investigative Forensic Science.
Over the last decade, Mackenzie has worked with countless victims on a wide range of complex cases, both active and cold, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, murder and capital murder, serial killing cases, public integrity matters, not guilty by reason of insanity pleadings, child abuse, human trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of adults and minors.
Mackenzie’s commitment to victim advocacy started fourteen years ago as a college volunteer at a domestic violence shelter. During her first shift, she encountered a woman fleeing violence and seeking safety, a memory that will never be forgotten, and an experience that profoundly shaped her path and solidified her dedication to serving survivors. Advocating for survivors of violence and walking alongside them through the criminal justice system process, and often beyond, is Mackenzie’s passion. She considers being able to play a role in providing answers to family members who had long since given up hope for justice in cold cases to be an incredible honor, responsibility, and privilege.
In her words, “TVSA brings value to my personal work, the work of my colleagues, and the work of my local multidisciplinary community partners in numerous ways. The mission of supporting, educating, and recognizing victim services providers is unique in that it strengthens not only myself, and other victim service providers, but it enhances and bolsters the discipline as a whole. The network of support and resources TVSA connects its members across the state to is truly invaluable. The way this organization allows victim service providers to build community where different perspectives can safely interact and often enhance one another is vital to keeping our shared passion and profession current, reliable, and reputable."
Of her board service, Mackenzie says, “I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow from a professional who simply uses and benefits from all that TVSA provides, into someone who can help guide, shape, and advance victim services here in Texas, while most importantly recognizing and supporting my fellow passionate and zealously dedicated victim service providers all across the state.” |
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By LeShae Haynes, BA, Membership Committee Chair
We are excited to welcome two new membership committee regional coordinators, Eileen Dixon for Region C and Patricia Lerma for Region F. Their experience, passion, and dedication to victim services will help to continue strengthening connections across our regions and provide valuable support to members. Please join us in extending a warm welcome as they begin in their new capacity on behalf of the membership committee. We look forward to the positive impact they will make and all that we will accomplish together.
To all TVSA members and new members, welcome and thank you for all that you do. Together, we are creating stronger communities and ensuring that every victim is met with dignity, compassion, and support. Here’s to a season filled with renewed purpose, meaningful partnerships, and continued success.
Regional Coordinator Updates:
Region A Coordinator, Kristi Thompson, (Panhandle-Amarillo/Lubbock/ Wichita Falls), klthompson@starcarelubbock.org : If any readers have contacts in our region, please feel free to share my information with them, while spreading the word about TVSA!
Region B Coordinator, Belinda Beltrán Swan, (Central-Austin /Waco/San Antonio), bbswan@ncmec.org.
Region C Coordinator, Eileen Dixon (Northeast-Dallas/ Fort Worth/Tyler), edixon@mckinneytexas.org: Hello everyone! I am so proud to be the new Region C Coordinator. So far, I have been learning the ins and outs of my new position. I am excited and eager to grow Region C with new members. As I get more familiar and comfortable in my role, I will be looking for events where I can get out and promote TVSA. If anyone knows of any upcoming events or has any suggestions for me, please feel free to email me.
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, Patricia Lerma, (South-Corpus Christi/Laredo/McAllen), patricia.lerma01@utrgv.edu.
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 members who have recently joined TVSA:
Michele Adams, Lubbock Jennifer Cantu, Wharton Amber Cayton, De Berry Jocelyn Chamra Barrera, Austin Monica Martinez, La Grulla 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
September 9, 2026 Virtual
Texas Advanced Academy for Victim Assistance
January 20-22, 2027
Deputy A.W. Grimes Law Enforcement Training Center, Hutto Applications will open on Tuesday, September 15.
TVSA 2027 Biennial Training Conference
May 4-7, 2027
Margaritaville Beach Resort, 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 Secretary
Mackenzie Kile, MA
Dallas Treasurer
Katie Moncivais, BA
Austin Region A Coordinator
Kristi Thompson, JM
Lubbock |
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Region B Coordinator
Belinda Beltrán Swan, MPAff
Austin Region C Coordinator
Eileen Dixon, MPA
McKinney Region D Coordinator
LeShae Haynes, BA
Richmond Region E Coordinator
Vacant Region F Coordinator
Patricia Lerma, MA
Edinburg |
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At-Large Member
Christina Richardson, MS, LPC
Dallas At-Large Member
Roman Sanchez, MS
San Antonio At-Large Member
Marycarmen Wisner, MPA
Fort Worth
At-Large Member
Vacant 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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