JPS gets $1 million in federal money to grow its forensic nursing team for victims of sexual assault and violence

JPS Health Network will use a $1 million federal earmark to hire more forensic nurse examiners, the specially trained nurses who treat victims of sexual assault and other violence and collect evidence for possible prosecution.

U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Fort Worth Democrat, presented JPS with a $1 million check Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Fort Worth Report reported.

"I believe this investment will help expand that work and bring the expertise to more communities and helping victims truly get the help that they need," Veasey said at the event.

A small team covering seven counties

JPS's forensic nursing team serves patients from seven counties. Its nurses treated more than 1,480 victims of violence in 2025, including 364 sexual assault exams, according to the Report. Through this year so far, they have cared for 1,196 patients and performed 285 of those exams.

JPS now has 10 forensic nurse examiners: three working full time and seven on an on-call team that steps in when no full-time examiner is available.

Priscilla Kenyon, who manages the program, told the Report the new money will pay for more full-time examiners, with the aim of always having one on duty at the hospital. JPS also hopes to grow the on-call roster to about 20 people and add three staff nurses.

Why staffing affects wait times

Evidence in a sexual assault case has to be collected quickly, so when the team is stretched, it sometimes has to see sexual assault patients ahead of people hurt by an intimate partner, Kenyon said. More staff would mean a second examiner can be called in for those patients, she said.

Beyond evidence kits, the nurses give medical treatment and emotional support, and they can help a patient report the crime to police if the patient chooses.

"For someone who has experienced assault or another form of violence, the decision to seek medical attention can require tremendous courage, and in those moments, the care they receive can make a lasting difference," said Dr. Karen Duncan, JPS president and CEO.

The earmark comes on top of $1.3 million for DNA testing, rape kits among the evidence covered, awarded in April to the city, Tarrant County and UNT Health Fort Worth.

Sources

fortworthreport.org

Wedgwood East picked as the next Neighborhood Improvement Program area, with street repairs and lighting among likely projects

The southwest Fort Worth neighborhood of nearly 1,300 homes becomes the 12th in the city's targeted-investment program; residents will be asked how the money should be spent before priorities are set.

Sasha EsparzaOctober 27, 20262 min read

Fort Worth

Fort Worth ISD managers approve $3.3 million for copiers, student-device insurance and campus security patrols

The state-appointed board of managers passed all three contracts 8-0 on its consent agenda this month, led by up to $1.38 million a year for a five-year copier and print services lease with Datamax of Texas.

Sasha EsparzaOctober 27, 20261 min read

Fort Worth

Dickies Arena is now Ariat Arena under a 10-year naming deal, with new signs due before the stock show

Trail Drive Management and Western wear maker Ariat announced the change Monday; it takes effect immediately, and permanent signage is expected by year's end, ahead of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo's 130th run starting Jan. 15.

Sasha EsparzaOctober 26, 20262 min read

Texas Attorney General Proposes Strengthened Rules Restricting Foreign Land Ownership

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has proposed updated enforcement rules for Senate Bill 17, creating a public mapping portal modeled after the state sex-offender registry to track foreign adversary real estate holdings and establishing a dedicated investigative task force.

Sasha EsparzaOctober 10, 20262 min read

Texas

Texas Attorney General Launches Investigation Into UnitedHealth Group Over Patient Coverage Denials

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened a formal investigation into UnitedHealth Group, issuing Civil Investigative Demands under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act over alleged deceptive coverage denials, nursing home delays, and improper prior-authorization revocations.

Jules PenningtonOctober 6, 20262 min read