REGION: 3 – Sunmount
DSP Nomination Name: Tamika Brooks
Position: Developmental Disabilities Secure Care Treatment Aide I
Years of Service: 3
THE NOMINEE’S FAVORITE OR MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT BEING A DSP:
“Being able to help the people I support in achieving their goals,” says Tamika Brooks. “I enjoy watching them grow through their experiences. Knowing that I can be a positive influence to even one person I support, can make any day a good one.”
ABOUT TAMIKA:
According to Nicole Rice, Developmental Disabilities Secure Care Treatment Aide II and Tamika’s supervisor, approximately three years ago, Tamika began to work at Sunmount where Rice was a Developmental Disabilities Secure Care Treatment Aide I (DDSCTA).
“From the start of her employment, Tamika had an eagerness to learn her new job duties and took pride in completing them efficiently and correctly.” Rice adds. “She has an impeccable work ethic and understands that thorough completion of paperwork and documentation gives the treatment team a full picture to better support the people she works with.
“Tamika also knows the importance of keeping her work environment clean so the people she supports have a healthy environment to live,” Rice says. “Over time, Tamika has developed a rapport with people who reside on the Sunmount campus, taking time to build relationships with them by putting ‘money in the bank’ and helping to maintain and build Green Zones.
“Her work has not diminished over the years, it has only improved,” Rice continues. “I benefitted from this as her supervisor for a year, as well. She always kept the Head of Shift in the know about the needs of the unit she is assigned to by reporting needed repairs and requesting supplies or items for the people she supports.”
“Tamika is an empathetic listener, Rice continues, giving her the ability to see from other people’s perspectives to take a more person-centered approach with the people she supports. This allows them to share their points of views, feelings, and life experiences with her. Tamika, her supervisor says, demonstrates patience by allowing each person the time they need to speak, complete an activity, or goal they may be working towards.
“Tamika recognizes that she is a support and that her wants, needs, abilities, or personal beliefs may not be the same as the people in her care,” Rice continues. “She plans outings after in-depth discussions with the people she supports about experiences they would enjoy.
As a direct support professional working in a secure setting, it is often other members of the team who set up outings for the people who reside in this setting, Rice explains. Tamika takes the initiative to set up activities she knows a person wants to participate in. The people she supports see her as a preferred staff member and often want her there to share in these experiences and meet their families, as well.
“Tamika is a great staff member, always going above and beyond her duties to help people have a good day,” Rice concludes. “She always does what is asked of her and gets tasks done in a timely manner. I am happy to have her as an employee on the unit.”