Jeremy Trapp’s goal is simple – to improve the lives of others. As supervisor of the Abuse and Neglect Unit of the Greene County Juvenile Office, the Springfield resident is faced with life-changing decisions every day and his choices have a ripple effect.
Since March 2010, Trapp has lead a team of eight deputy juvenile officers who investigate incidents of abuse or child neglect.
He says his role to equip the officers to make sometimes drastic decisions about removing children from their homes.
Trapp also works to help unite children with loving families through the federally funded Fostering Court Improvement initiative through the Office of the State Court Administrator, helping explore options for foster families.
However, it’s not only the effects of Trapp’s day job that ripple throughout the Springfield community, but also his work behind the scenes with organizations like faith-based Ambassadors for Children, where he serves as a member of the advisory council, and the Court Appointed Special Advocates, where he’s a board volunteer member.
A special interest of the 33-year-old, Trapp works with organizations to promote and celebrate diversity, including serving on the Diversity Work Crew for The Network of Young Professionals, and he has applied to sit on he Mayor’s Commission for Human Rights.
In the juvenile office, Trapp takes the mission one step further. As co-chairman of the Diversity Awareness Partnership, he is cultivating the program’s mission embracing the unique community and creating awareness and understanding on the importance of diversity. Trapp works with area youth to discuss what diversity means to them and develop resources for youth who experience intolerance and hate.
“I believe no youth should be bullied because they are different,” he says. “I am currently working on an awareness and resource page for youth who experience intolerance and hate.”
Before joining the juvenile office, Trapp spent time as a foster care supervisor for the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home and as a child care worker for Boys and Girls Town of Missouri.
Greene County Chief Juvenile Officer and Family Court Administrator Perry Epperly says no matter the position, Trapp is a driving force of good in the community.
“Jeremy is a change catalyst and transformational leader. He is a difference maker who takes ownership of his career, job and life,” he says. “His relentless pursuit of excellence and effective leadership approaches inspire others to take their own performance to the next higher level.”
With a master’s in social work, Trapp also works part-time for Counseling Associates of Springfield Inc., offering counseling to the community at a low rate based on individual income and when even that’s too much, Trapp offers counseling services free of charge. Additionally, Trapp volunteers his social work skills to veterans through the U.S. Army Reserves and Missouri National Guard.
“I know my purpose in life is to improve the lives of others,” he says. “I believe it is not simply about making money, it’s about making a difference.”
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