25.
Commissioners Court - Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 04/16/2024
- Title:
- County Attorney’s Office recognized as Victim Friendly Agency
- Submitted For:
- D. Hobbs
- Submitted By:
- Stephanie Lloyd, County Attorney
- Department:
- County Attorney
- Agenda Category:
- Regular Agenda Items
Information
Agenda Item
Discuss, consider and take appropriate action on recognizing the Williamson County Attorney’s Office for receiving the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (Gold) Award from the Texas Victim Services Association.
Background
The County Attorney’s Office is one of only three prosecutor offices in Texas that have completed the initiative, the other two are District Attorney offices. Only five prosecutor offices have even attempted the process, only 3 have successfully completed the rigorous 12-month certification process. Other agencies who can be considered are Law Enforcement and Community Placement Shelters.
Organizations that complete the 12-month program are eligible to be designated as a Victim Friendly Agency.
The goal of the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) is to support law enforcement departments, prosecutors’ offices and advocacy organizations to become more trauma-informed.
The TVFI program is highly focused and targeted to address missed opportunities to provide trauma informed care and improve case outcomes. Not only is that good for victims, but when victim’s needs are recognized and respected, they are more likely to seek and participate in services, including the criminal justice system.
What is trauma-informed care? Trauma-informed care or trauma-informed services are services designed specifically to avoid retraumatizing those who come seeking assistance as well as those who provide services. Services prioritize “safety first” and commit themselves to “do no harm”. Services provided in a trauma-informed manner are ‘victim friendly.’
Organizations that complete the 12-month program are eligible to be designated as a Victim Friendly Agency.
The goal of the Texas Victim Friendly Initiative (TVFI) is to support law enforcement departments, prosecutors’ offices and advocacy organizations to become more trauma-informed.
The TVFI program is highly focused and targeted to address missed opportunities to provide trauma informed care and improve case outcomes. Not only is that good for victims, but when victim’s needs are recognized and respected, they are more likely to seek and participate in services, including the criminal justice system.
What is trauma-informed care? Trauma-informed care or trauma-informed services are services designed specifically to avoid retraumatizing those who come seeking assistance as well as those who provide services. Services prioritize “safety first” and commit themselves to “do no harm”. Services provided in a trauma-informed manner are ‘victim friendly.’
Fiscal Impact
| From/To | Acct No. | Description | Amount |
|---|
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| County Judge Exec Asst. | Becky Pruitt | 04/02/2024 11:52 AM |
- Form Started By:
- Stephanie Lloyd
- Started On:
- 04/02/2024 10:49 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 04/02/2024