Tracie Cox is the executive director of Emergency Pregnancy Services.
WHAT ARE HER
MAIN DUTIES?
As executive director, Cox is responsible for writing grants and seeking funds. “That was new to me. I’m looking at old grants, reading them through, and I’ve had a lot of helpful suggestions.”
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN WITH EMERGENCY PREGNANCY SERVICES?
Since August. “I was a social worker with St. Vincent’s for eight years, doing psychology and maternal child work. The psychiatric unit closed in January and at that time I thought about looking forward and moving on.”
WHO ELSE IS IN THE OFFICE?
An office manager, administrative assistant, education coordinator and one person who is employed by Miracles Maternity and works full time at EPS headquarters. Cox says all the employees are multi-taskers. “Our education coordinator is a certified doula — a trained professional labor artist. She is certified by AAA as a car seat instructor. This is such a solid group of people who really love what they’re doing. Their hearts are really here.”
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?
To provide opportunities for all women to choose life for their unborn. “We believe life is sacred and we educate, prepare and support women through pregnancy and beyond.”
HOW DOES SHE APPROACH THE JOB?
“We try to be educational at all times. We talk to them about their experience in a fact-based way. We don’t do scare tactics, we don’t show gory videos and we aren’t preachy. We want them to realize all the options and all the support available so that they can make the best decision.”
WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?
EPS provides pregnancy tests, level one sonograms, counseling and educational opportunities. They can help new mothers find support groups through a mentoring program called Mother to Mother. They can also help expectant mothers obtain Medicaid insurance and refer them to physicians who will take care of them. “When the girls come in we want them to feel taken care of.” There is also a baby supply bank at EPS. Everything from maternity and baby wear to diapers and food is available.
“We have clothes for up to age 4. We just had a huge diaper drive and got over 8,000 diapers. For the big items like cribs and bassinets we have waiting lists. And other than having an ID, there are no requirements to receive assistance.”
FUNDING?
“We’re heavily supported by St. Vincent’s, which is great because it means we don’t have to worry about our doors shutting.” EPS is also an agency qualified for funds from Choose Life license tags. “We receive the funds as a pass through. The benefit goes to the girls to provide for them.” Besides private donations and ones from the Powers Foundation, one annual fund raising event is a roast, which will be held in February at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. This year’s roastee is Monsignor Mortimer Danaher, who has been the pastor at Christ the King and San Jose Catholic churches.
A FEW STATISTICS
Since January, EPS has helped over 5,000 clients and provided over 1,400 ultrasounds and 2,200 pregnancy tests. EPS was started 25 years ago and is among the top five crisis centers in the nation in numbers of positive pregnancy tests. EPS experienced nine percent growth this year, despite the fact that there was no director from January until August. “It was a difficult year, but we’re hoping to have a great year next.”
WHY IS EPS SO SUCCESSFUL?
“We look at a continuum of care and we can give our clients control. They learn what their options are, all in a non-judgmental and love-based way. Some of our employees have extensive life experiences, which help them form bonds with clients.”
WHERE IS SHE FROM?
Cox, who has an eight-year old daughter named Denver, is from Jacksonville and lives in Riverside. She attended Bishop Kenny High School.
EDUCATION
Cox attended Florida State University where she earned a master’s degree in social work. “I’m a licensed clinical social worker and that has helped me here.”
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Cox spends a lot of her time with her daughter. She likes working out, photography and dancing. She takes a tap dancing class and is a certified scuba diver. She also spends a lot of time with her parents and brothers.
— by Bailey White