Position: Developmental Assistant I
Years of Service: 17
Taura Combest was named one of the Hudson Valley DDSOO’s 2024 DSPs of the Year due to the exceptional job she does, and how hard she works to make the house a home for the people she supports.
“Taura is the epitome of what every DA I should strive for,” says Team Treatment Leader Brian Eagle. “Before being promoted, Taura was eager to learn the tasks outside a standard DSP norm. She initially showed little or no interest in being promoted – she truly just wanted to learn all the requirements to aid others in the completion of their work, so they had less stress and less tasks on their plate.”
Taura owns a personal baking business outside of her work at the Hudson Valley DDSOO and Eagle says baking is just as much of a passion to her as providing care to the people residing in the homes.
“Each year for each person’s birthday – on her own time and dime – she bakes a beautiful cake for each of the people in the home,” Eagle says. “Many people would assume this means a standard vanilla or chocolate iced cake, but to say what she does is ‘far beyond’ is an understatement. Cakes this year appeared as potato chip bags, crayon boxes, briefcases, and more. Several hours go into her work – just to see the smiling faces of the people in the home.”
Since Taura was promoted, Eagle says she continues to shine, receiving constant praise from her supervisors, clinicians, family members and peers.
“Taura literally never sits down, never has a frown on her face, never has a phone in her hand, she is positive, upbeat, encouraging and ensures that her No.1 goal is the happiness and safety of the people in her care,” he says. “When she is on duty, and even when she is off, the people she supports are just like family to her. She has played a huge role in making the house a home.”
“As the Team Treatment Leader for her team, I can truly say that if Taura had trained every other DSA there would be far fewer incidents, far less paperwork, and far less need to implement new policies. She ALWAYS goes above and beyond making the people in her care her first priority, and her staff feel supported,” Eagle concludes.