Posted on January 21, 2026
Jacey supports Frank continue meaningful activities after a devastating loss.
Three years ago, Frank Mansfield was in the car with his sister, Isabell, who suffered a fatal car accident. Frank was hospitalized with multiple broken bones. While he continues to grieve the loss of his sister, the steady support of his Penn-Mar Residential Supervisor, Jacey James, has helped him honor Isabell’s memory and move forward.
Frank first arrived at a Penn-Mar Stewartstown, PA community home in 2020 where he lives with three other gentlemen with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
Jacey joined Penn-Mar in 2021 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at Frank’s community home. Since then, she has had two promotions: first to Senior DSP, and now to Residential Supervisor.
Jacey and Frank developed a close relationship over the years. After Frank lost his sister, Jacey stepped in to help him maintain all of Frank’s activities and traditions. She makes sure he has everything he needs for crafts, baking, and gardening, and schedules Frank’s trips to his weekly Senior Center visits and the Bell Association Club where he joins his friends for karaoke and movie nights.
Jacey describes Frank as “popular wherever he goes” and says that he has a better social life than she does! He is very active in his church and enjoys visits with his family and friends at country music concerts, museums, and restaurants where he prefers to eat “anything that’s sweet.”
Frank enjoys giving back, and with Jacey’s support, helps organize activities and donation drives at the Senior Center, collecting toys, hats, and gloves for the community.
Each year, Jacey supports Frank in honoring his sister’s memory. She assists him with getting crosses or flowers, which he brings when he visits Isabell’s grave and crash site with his family.
Frank, a country boy who lived on a farm and loves hard work, tractors, and the great outdoors, is looking forward to celebrating his 80th birthday on March 15. Jacey and her team are planning a John Deere-themed birthday party before he leaves for his fifth cruise to the Bahamas to commemorate the milestone with family and friends.
“At his age, travel can be more challenging,” Jacey said. “But we are trying to modify things and make changes as we go. His team and I have worked hard to ensure he stays active and healthy, so he can continue living out his dreams!”
“Jacey is a good woman and a good friend,” Frank said. “She takes good care of me, and I think of her like a sister.”
Wyatt Malone, PA Residential Program Manager and Jacey’s supervisor, noted that throughout her tenure, “Jacey has demonstrated exceptional growth and commitment to Penn-Mar’s mission. Her dedication, leadership, and collaborative spirit make her an invaluable member of the team.”
Jacey has taken advantage of every training program Penn-Mar has to offer. She received her DSP-III Certification from the Career Ladders Program and successfully completed both the organization’s Professional Development and Frontline Supervisor training programs. This month she will “push out of her comfort zone” to train a class on how DSPs can set up and manage appointments for the people they support.
“I constantly work on myself,” she said. “It has made a difference in my life, both at home and on the job.”
Jacey claims her work at Penn-Mar has changed her world view and improved the way she shows up for other relationships.
“Initially, I wanted to help people and improve their lives but now I realize the people I support have helped me just as much,” she said. “They have helped shape the way I see and understand others.”