Sheriff’s Office Employee Spotlight
Tracy Jordan – Victim Advocate
Tracy demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, the victims she assists, as well as the general public.
Tracy takes it upon herself to provide information and exceptional emotional support and services to all victims. Tracy discerns quickly their individual needs and moves efficiently to provide key information, recommendations, or direction. During times of transition, Tracy has provided information about victimization, educates others about crime prevention, guides victims about their legal rights as they go through the legal system, contributes information about the criminal justice system, helps victims file compensation applications, assists victims with submitting comments to courts and parole boards, intervenes with creditors, landlords and employers on behalf of the victims, helps victims find shelter and necessary transportation, provides referrals to victim service providers and businesses and notifies victims inmates’ release or escapes. Tracy also provides immediate on scene assistance to survivors and family members.
Beyond all of this she has participated in “Movember” to bring awareness to male suicide, and the Geauga County Suicide Prevention Coalition that challenges you to connect with five individuals every day.
2020 was certainly a challenging year for agencies across the country. Tracy was still able to serve 340 victims in 2020. Tracy started the year with support groups but this changed to “Support Sessions” as COVID made its appearance. Tracy did not let a pandemic stop her from meeting with and helping victims. Tracy implemented a way to be sure all victims received support that they needed in a safe way. The sessions were to provide information and support with once a week video session for one on one support. Eleven clients signed up for support sessions for a total of 141 sessions.
Tracy also assisted the Board of Mental Health with baskets for first responders. Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services donated gifts bags full of treats to First Responders to show appreciation for combating Geauga County’s opiate epidemic as well as the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Tracy oversees the Geauga County LOSS Team. The LOSS Team is a special response team made up of professionally trained volunteers that respond to the scenes of tragic events. The LOSS Team’s primary function is to provide immediate assistance to survivors. She currently oversees 15 volunteers.
Tracy is the kind of person who lives to give. Tracy gives her compassion, her empathy, her advice, and her sympathy. Tracy is a true and genuine victim advocate. Tracy inspires others to take care of one another and is always willing to listen. Tracy epitomizes leadership and inspires others to give back and pay it forward.
Fondly known as the “go-to” for most things at our office, Tracy receives calls daily from offices throughout the state who call upon her experience and know-how for information and advice. Traci is helpful, caring, resourceful, and happy to offer service no matter the task. Tracy performs above and beyond daily.
For the past two years, Tracy has provided suicide prevention classes to our local 7th graders. This is a Question, Persuade, and Refer class (QPR) which is an eight-week session for students. Tracy provides education on many other important topics in addition to suicide prevention. This is an in-person training which includes role playing, sexting prevention, self-esteem, stress management, how to understand and handle their emotions, and how to navigate the digital world in a safe way. Each week Tracy talks about QPR and how to use the skills in all areas of their lives. These students will also receive a refresher in 8th grade.
In Tracy’s very limited free time from work, she loves to paint and be with her family.
Tracy has exemplified the mission of the Sheriff’s Office, and has positively impacted the people of our state. Tracy’s skills, knowledge, willingness to help others, and dedication to our office and the community. The Victim Advocates slogan reads, “The first to listen and the last to turn away.” Tracy stays true to this message in both her personal and professional life.
Tracy thank you for your dedicated service to the Geauga County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Geauga County.
Original source can be found here.
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