Florida

Florida ARF & FADSP Celebrate Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Recognition Week

Florida

FADSP LogoDSP's Making a Difference: Jermaine Harris

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. Jermaine Harris is one of those DSPs.

Jermaine Harris has been working at Pine Castle for nine years, currently serving as Lead Direct Support Professional. He is a supportive, dedicated, creative, and genuine individual which is displayed in his supportive nature to each participant he interacts with daily. Jermaine is committed to providing Pine Castle participants with opportunities to learn, work, and connect. He utilizes campus resources and his talents to find new and creative ways to engage the individuals supported.

Jermaine is known for his genuine and kind demeanor, making it easy for participants and staff to connect and develop close relationships with him.  With the relationships Jermaine has established, Pine Castle participants feel very comfortable sharing their goals or needs with him. He listens to their requests and uses his knowledge and leadership to access the appropriate items to support their needs. Jermaine understands the importance of providing participants with multiple opportunities to have a meaningful day at the Adult Day Program, ensuring activities are tailored to each participant’s interests or abilities. He is always willing to facilitate opportunities to listen to music, do art projects, complete puzzles, or engage in physical activities. Previously, Jermaine partnered with his colleagues to spearhead the creation of the campus radio show. The Pine Castle Radio Show is live on WPCR 1700 AM twice a week and is also available as a podcast on streaming services like Spotify. To bring this dream to reality, he listened to the participants' goals and provided the support needed to create the first radio show written and co-produced by adults with intellectual and developmental differences in Florida. Jermaine manages the radio station and leads all recording production. This involves collaborating with participants to create outlines for their discussions, developing their interviewing skills, and operating all radio equipment. He has accompanied participants on community visits to local iHeart Radio and News4Jax facilities. Jermaine ensures all visitors' or events' audio needs are supported while on campus.  In addition to his contributions to the radio show, Jermaine is our resident DJ. He is called upon to put together event-specific playlists, supply our weekly music club with tunes, and ensure all audio needs for visitors or campus events are supported. Jermaine also displays his musical talents through DJing and playing the saxophone with the Pine Castle band, the Flashbacks. He often collaborates with the band to perform at large events or off-campus engagements. Jermaine Harris is a well-rounded, respected, and beloved DSP. He understands the importance of building relationships, lending a helping hand, and ensuring participants are engaged and supported at the day program.

Jermaine demonstrates a deep respect for the participants at Pine Castle. He was promoted to Lead DSP to help educate and encourage other DSP team members to strive for excellence. Jermaine works well with staff, participants, volunteers, and caregivers portraying the level of professionalism and equality that this organization values as we advocate for our those with IDD. While he has his own physical limitations, he has an intense level of dedication and self-determination to overcome any obstacle, which is very inspiring to those around him. He not only verbally encourages team members but shows with his actions. Jermaine focuses on the needs of each individual, ensuring that the participants personal preference, need, ability, and desire are taken into consideration when helping to guide their path to reach their goals.

Thank you, Jermaine, for your ongoing service to the individuals served at Pine Castle!

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