Courtesy Photo | JOINT BASE CAPE COD, Mass. -- Jacquelyn E. Tellier, Sexual Assault Prevention and...... read more read more
Difficult and Demanding – but Necessary
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Laura Berry
JOINT BASE CAPE COD, Mass. -- Jacquelyn E. Tellier, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Manager of the 102d Intelligence Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard was awarded the 2020 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator of the Year Award in May by the Department of Defense. She represented National Guard Bureau as one of only six recipients throughout the entire DoD.
Tellier has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Boston University. She is a nationally certified and a state-licensed counselor. She specialized in working with individuals with psychiatric diagnoses and traumatic brain injuries. She eventually acquired a position at the US Coast Guard’s Work Life Program.
“The experience made me realize that I could be instrumental in helping sexual assault victims heal and move toward becoming survivors,” said Tellier. “I also wanted to teach military members about sexual assault and help them to define sexual assault and what is consent, as well as send a strong message that sexual assault is not okay and will not be tolerated.”
In Oct. 2018, Tellier was hired as the 102d IW SAPR Program Manager.
“I am very grateful to Brig.Gen. Gaglio, Col. David McNulty and Col. Christopher Hurley for their unwavering support of the SAPR Program and to the SARC, as well as their sincere empathy for victims of sexual assault,” she said. “I also am very thankful to Ms. Miranda Raines, NGM Region 1 SAPR Program Manager, for her continued support. But most importantly, I am very thankful for a very dedicated and professional SAPR Team of Volunteer Victim Advocates. They have been instrumental in assisting me in getting the job done, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
“We were absolutely thrilled to learn that learn that Ms. Tellier was selected as the Exceptional SARC of the Year for all of NGB,” said Col. David McNulty, 102d IW commander. “Jackie brought a true passion for caring for Airmen along with years of experience and best practices from her time in the USCG. We're happy to have her in the 102d Intelligence Wing.”
According to Col. Roxanne Toy, Chief of SAPR at NGB, Tellier’s compassion and enthusiasm cultivated a safe space for survivors to find refuge and support and she rapidly increased the outreach and training to over 98%, one of the highest levels throughout the ANG. She also successfully multiplied the volunteer network from zero to five dedicated VAs to reach over 1,200 members throughout her wing.
Tellier said she is grateful for her supportive husband of almost ten years, George, who has been her rock and her biggest fan.
“We live on beautiful Cape Cod,” she said. “We love the seashore, shell fishing, and talking walks on the beach or throughout our neighborhood.”
They also love to travel the world. Because she is required to carry the SARC phone 24/7, she said her vacation philosophy is to truly get away from work stressors while traveling.
“Self-care is vital to remaining mentally and emotionally healthy while caring for the victims of sexual assault,” she said.
Tellier has her Advanced PADI certificate in scuba diving and enjoys amateur photography and cycling.
“In addition to the Cape Cod Rail Trail, we have cycled in Canada, Italy and Spain,” she added.
The DoD renamed the award this year to honor Elizabeth "Liz" Blanc, who died in March 2020 after a long battle with cancer. According to Dr. Nathan Galbreath, acting director of DOD’s SAPR Office, she helped victims of sexual assault even up to a few days before her passing.
Normally, the award would have been presented in person, but under the current restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not possible.
“When I received the congratulatory call from NGB, I was truly humbled and quite thrilled!” said Tellier. “The Liz Blanc Exceptional SARC of the Year Award is a very special award that recognizes a woman who was extremely dedicated to and accomplished in the SAPR field. To be held in that same light and to be recognized for my work in the SAPR field is quite a special honor. But I would be remiss if I did not mention or declare that I believe team work helped me to attain this level of recognition.”
SARCs work closely with VAs and other installation responders, train thousands of military members annually and help military leaders improve their support of service members impacted by sexual assault.
“If you know Jackie, and any of our SARCs and VAs you know how difficult and demanding, but necessary these duties and positions are,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard. “All of our SARCs and VAs deserve both our support and our thanks!”
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2020 12:46 |
| Story ID: | 370912 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE CAPE COD, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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