TARRANT COUNTY, TX (Oct. 2, 2023) —Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Dr. Kathryn Jacob, LMSW, President and CEO of The Archway (formerly SafeHaven of Tarrant County), to the Texas Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force. The Task Force is a statewide body focused on examining and preventing the most severe outcomes of family violence.

The Task Force will identify key risk factors that contribute to family violence homicides and strengthen training for professionals who interact with survivors. Members will also collect and analyze data by region, make findings publicly available, and develop policy recommendations to prevent future loss of life throughout the state of Texas.

Dr. Jacob is the only Dallas–Fort Worth–based appointee of the 21-member task force and one of only four representatives statewide from a direct intimate partner violence (IPV) service provider, bringing critical frontline expertise to the group’s work.

“I’m honored to join this Task Force and work alongside leaders committed to preventing family violence homicides across Texas,” Dr. Jacob said. “Every death leaves unanswered questions and opportunities for us to learn. I’m eager to get started with this group and use data and frontline insight to strengthen the systems victims utilize every day to survive.”

In addition to her statewide leadership, Dr. Jacob has been instrumental in forming the Tarrant County Adult IPV Fatality Review Team, a multidisciplinary initiative that examines domestic violence homicides each year. The team produces an annual report analyzing county homicide data, identifying trends, and outlining opportunities for systems improvement to better protect survivors and prevent future fatalities.

“We, as a County, feel so fortunate to have Dr. Jacob asa resource in the ongoing fight against intimate partner violence and believe the Governor has made an excellent decision in including her in the statewide task force where she can better help the entire State of Texas reduce senseless fatalities,” said Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Allenna Bangs.

The Texas FamilyViolence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force will meet monthly and bring together experts from across disciplines, including law enforcement, social services, healthcare, and survivor advocacy, to ensure Texas’s response to family violence is informed, coordinated, and effective.

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Task Force Members

Heather Bellino, Austin
CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project

Jia Benno, Austin
Injury Prevention Unit Director for the Texas Department of State HealthServices

Megan Bermea, CedarPark
Program Director for the Office of Family Services at Texas Health and HumanServices

Hillary England, Pflugerville
Director of Trafficking and Sexual Violence Prevention Programs at theOffice of the Governor

Allison Garcia, RoundRock
Deputy Chief of Government Affairs at the Office of the Attorney General

Mariah Gardner,Converse
Field Manager at CVS Health

Staley Heatly, Vernon
Wilbarger County Attorney

Kathryn Jacob, Waxahachie
President and CEO of The Archway (formerly known as SafeHaven of Tarrant County)

Julie Kinser, Amarillo
Director of Leadership and Staff Development at the Department of Family andProtective Services – Child Protective Services

Kevin Lawrence, Pflugerville
Executive Director of the Texas Municipal Police Association

Daisy Lopez, Brownsville
Director of Operations at Friendship of Women, Inc

Heather Mahaffey, Denison
Program Coordinator at Grayson Crisis Center

Michael McNutt, RoundRock
Program Manager for the Texas Violent Death Reporting System at theDepartment of State Health Services

Jarvis Parsons, Bryan
Brazos County District Attorney

April Propst, Abilene
Associate Judge for the Office of Court Administration

Hannah Rahaman, Katy
Appeals and Legal Section Manager at the Office of the Attorney GeneralCrime Victims Services Division

Michelle Shields,Amarillo
Director of Advocacy Services at Family Support Services of Amarillo

Chris Smyth, Round Rock
Sergeant at the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement

Gloria Terry, Buda
CEO of the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV)

Leila Wood,Austin
Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Jamie Wright, Houston
Senior Management and Program Analyst at the Department of Veterans Affairs,Office of the Inspector General

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About The Archway
The Archway (formerly SafeHaven of Tarrant County) provides comprehensive, trauma-informed services for survivors of domestic violence, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and housing support. In addition to direct services, The Archway is a recognized leader in research, training, and systems improvement efforts that strengthen responses to family violence across Texas and beyond.

24/7 Crisis Hotline: 1-877-701-7233