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 DSP's Making a Difference: Maria Garcia
As part of DSP Recognition Week, FADSP is pleased to recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the people they serve. Maria Garcia is one of those DSPs.
 Maria Garcia has been working at Arc Broward for four years serving as a Parent Facilitator. She is a shining example of excellence in family support services. Maria’s commitment to vulnerable children and families, especially those with special needs, is unmatched.
Through her work in the Nurturing Parenting Program, she provides compassionate, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care that empowers families and prevents abuse and neglect. Maria treats every caregiver and child with dignity, patience, and deep respect. Her impact is evident in every home visit, phone call, and moment of support. She goes beyond teaching parenting skills - she instills hope, confidence, and a belief in positive change. One parent shared, “The day DCF came to our door it felt like the worst day of our lives, but then we met Maria, she changed everything for the better.” Another said, “She brings so many resources to help our family, and she advocates for us and teaches us to advocate for ourselves.” These powerful words reflect the profound difference Maria makes in the lives of those she supports. Maria consistently helps families strengthen protective factors, build resilience, and enhance their ability to care for children with developmental disabilities. Her work has helped many parents establish safer, healthier environments and achieve long-term success. Whether it is helping parents access critical services, navigate complex systems, or build confidence in their parenting abilities, Maria is there to support them in a calm, encouraging, and deeply committed manner.
Beyond her caseload, Maria shares her expertise. She frequently provides resources, tools, and support to her colleagues and mentors new facilitators, helping to strengthen the entire team. Maria’s service reflects not just competence, but excellence. She meets families where they are emotionally and geographically and partners with them to create meaningful, lasting change. Her approach and unwavering dedication have transformed lives.
Maria Garcia exemplifies the NADSP Code of Ethics through her daily interactions with families and children in the Nurturing Parenting Program. Her unwavering commitment to ethical, person-centered care has left a lasting impact on those she serves. Maria approaches each family with a personalized treatment plan. She honors their unique cultural backgrounds, parenting styles, and individual challenges. She empowers parents to set their own goals, make informed decisions, and take active roles in their child’s development, ensuring the family's voice is at the center of all planning and support. Maria is respectful to the emotional and physical needs of the families she serves. She connects them with critical resources, such as mental health services, medical care, food assistance, and educational support. She helps parents develop healthy routines, reduce stress, and strengthen bonds with their children that contributes to both emotional healing and physical safety. Maria demonstrates professionalism and integrity in all aspects of her work. She follows through on every commitment and holds herself accountable to the highest standards. Maria creates a safe space for families to share openly, building trust through discretion and respectful communication.
Maria is a strong advocate for her families. She recognizes the systemic barriers that many families face and works to ensure equitable access to services and support. She treats every family with fairness and dignity, regardless of their socioeconomic status, language, or background. Maria’s work is grounded in deep respect for the families she serves. She listens without judgment, values their lived experiences, and affirms their strengths. Maria respects the parenting journey, even when families are facing their most difficult moments. She builds strong, trusting relationships with families and colleagues. Her compassionate approach fosters mutual respect, emotional safety, and long-term engagement. Many families share that their connection with Maria has been life-changing, giving them renewed hope and stability. Maria actively encourages families to advocate for themselves and make their own informed choices. She provides tools, education, and support to help them understand their rights and options. Her goal is not to direct families, but to empower them to lead. Maria is a fierce and tireless advocate - for her families, her team, and her community. She goes above and beyond to connect families with resources, remove barriers, and ensure their voices are heard. Whether she is attending IEP meetings, coordinating services, or guiding parents through complex systems, Maria ensures that families are supported every step of the way. In every interaction, Maria embodies the ethical values that are the foundation of quality support services. Her practice not only meets but exceeds the standards set forth by the NADSP Code of Ethics.
Maria has received several forms of recognition for her outstanding dedication to children and families. She has received on multiple occasions Arc Broward’s PRIDE recognition, which honors team members who exemplify the organization’s core values: Passion, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Entrepreneurial Spirit. Maria has received numerous written and verbal testimonials from families expressing deep gratitude for her support. Parents frequently praise her dedication, compassion, and ability to help them navigate complex systems while strengthening their families. One parent noted, “Maria gave us the strength and tools we needed to become better parents - we will never forget what she’s done for us.” Maria’s work has been consistently recognized internally and externally by partner agencies for her outstanding efforts in abuse prevention, resource coordination, and family strengthening. Her work continues to serve as a model for excellence in family support services.
Thank you, Maria, for your ongoing service to the individuals served at Arc Broward!
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