By Rob Kepple
TDCAF & TDCAA Executive Director in Austin
Part of the TDCAA’s Long Range Plan from 2023 is to create a Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor (DVRP) position at TDCAA. This concept is akin to the Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor position (TSRP), ably staffed by our very own W. Clay Abbott. The concept of a Domestic Violence Resource Prosecutor is truly ground-breaking—there are 16 DVRPs in the country so far, and we aim to be in the vanguard of this important growing movement.
We are grateful that the Court of Criminal Appeals has given us baseline funding for the new position, but there will be much more to it as we develop a training and resource program for the entire state. The Foundation Board has committed to supporting this valuable program, and it will require significant resources to do it right.
We will talk more about this position and program as we move forward with it; in the meantime, if you want to designate a gift for the program, feel free.
Texas Prosecutor Society, Class of 2024
The Texas Prosecutors Society was created as a way for prosecutors and others to offer enduring support for the profession—and as a way to honor those who have demonstrated a true interest in advancing criminal justice and the profession of prosecution. We have nearly 200 members of the society today, and the endowment they support is nearing a million dollars. The invitations to join the 2024 class of the Texas Prosecutors Society are in the mail. Keep an eye out—you may be on the invite list this year!