COMMUNITY RECOGNITION & OUTREACH
District Attorney Steve Howe and his staff are frequent presenters to schools, businesses, chambers of commerce and community groups, as well as law enforcement. Continued outreach and education are major initiatives of the district attorney’s office to inform the community on the law and consequences, as well prevention, identifying behaviors, and law enforcement best practices.
Steve has served for eight years as a board member of the Kansas County and District Attorney Association, and also serves on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Johnson County.
Steve was elected and has served for eight years as a member of the 10th Judicial District Judicial Nominating Commission. The Commission interviews candidates seeking to become District Court judges and makes appointment recommendations to the Kansas Governor’s office.
Steve has testified before the Kansas Legislature on a number of bills including enacting the Hard 50 law for 1st degree murder, strengthening D.U.I. laws, elder abuse, mandatory reporting laws for child abuse, and increasing penalties for fentanyl dealers.
Steve’s Efforts Have Been Recognized by Various Organizations Through the Years:
2015 Community based ally of the year award by the Kansas Coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence
2016 Martin Luther King Jr Legacy Award by the Olathe Branch of the NAACP
2017 KABC Caring Award from the Kansas Advocates for Better Care for his outstanding leadership to improve the safety and justice for older Kansans
2017 Law Enforcement commendation Medal by the National Society of Sons of the American Revolution
2019 Above and Beyond Patriot Award, from the Kansas National Guard and Reserves for supporting service men and women in his office
2023 Lionhearts award By Sunflower House for his dedicated work to support its mission.
Community Activities and Participation Highlights:
Steve was the 2014 campaign chair to raise funds to expand Safehome (our domestic violence shelter) facility.
Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA ) community advisory member, which is an organization that supports victims of sexual assault.
Sunflower House Board of Directors, which is our child assessment center that supports children who suffer from abuse and neglect
Family Justice Center Board of Directors, which is a evidence based model and center that supports victims of domestic violence , sexual assaults, elder abuse and human trafficking.
Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI )initiative committee member that eliminated the backlog of untested sexual assault kits in Kansas.
Kansas Sexual Assault response advisory council (KSARAC) members, which is charged with constructing best practice in investigating, prosecuting and supporting sexual assault victims.
Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) member, which is charged with developing policies and initiatives that will strengthen the effectiveness of our criminal justice system.
10th Judicial District Nominating Committee that interviews and recommends applicants to the govern for appointment for District Court Judges
Zero Reasons Why initiative to reduce teen suicide