Team Member Spotlight: Jeannine O’Mahony

What is your job title? PA Employment Support Manager       

How long have you been with Penn-Mar? A little more than two years. 

How did you get connected with Penn-Mar? There’s this really awesome recruiter at Penn-Mar who told me I should apply 😊 

What was your previous work experience prior to Penn-Mar and how did it prepare you for your current role? In the ‘90s, I worked for The Arc of Onondaga (Syracuse area) in a “Day Treatment” program. After taking some time off to raise my babies, I returned to teaching (my degree is Elementary Ed). I left teaching kindergarten after the 2020 school year ended and got a job working in a retirement community, providing memory care to residents with dementia. Working with and learning from so many children and adults with so many abilities and challenges has well prepared me for my current role here, but I still learn new things almost daily from the people we support. It is refreshing how the best practices for supporting people with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) have evolved and improved in the last few decades!   

What does your work entail? The PA Employment Support team is relatively small: two Employment Coordinators, two Job Developers, 3 Employment Transportation Assistants, and me. I work with very dedicated team members who work tirelessly to help people with IDD explore and discover their employment skills, develop relationships with employers, create employment opportunities, and safely drive people to and from their jobs. In addition to supporting and supervising these awesome team members, I attend ISP (Individual Support Plan) meetings, collaborate with Supports Coordinators and residential and CPS (Community Participation Supports) providers, oversee documentation in our data management system, complete quarterly reports, investigate incidents as needed… and many more things that aren’t coming to mind right now. 

What’s an average day like for you?  No two days are ever alike, and I like it that way! Yesterday, I got to provide job coaching for a young lady we support, and it was probably my favorite part of the week! I love supporting the people we provide services to! Today I started my day with a 1:1 meeting with a Job Developer, then a PA Day Manager meeting, worked on quarterly reports, attended a virtual meeting, and worked on a team member’s annual evaluation (while covering the phone and door for our admin assistant). Tomorrow will be different….  

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job? How fulfilling it is! Also, lots of people think employment supports only consist of job coaching, but there is really so much more that goes into the process for a job seeker to secure customized employment.  

In another life, your career path is . . . a racecar driver!! Seriously, although I love to drive, I would always be working with people: kids, seniors, and/or people with disabilities. 

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you? I love that you can take out the words “with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” and our mission pertains to every one of us. Aren’t we always encouraged to think outside the box and step out of our comfort zones to live our best lives? We are sharing that mindset and supporting all people to live courageously, many of whom have not had that opportunity in the past. 

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD? People with disabilities are more like you and me (“the general public”) than they are different from us. They share the same feelings, desires, and a need to feel accepted and to live with purpose. 

What is your favorite quote or mantra? You don’t know how strong you are until you have to be strong. 

Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you? I love to cook, and my family and friends say I am amazing at “whipping up” a meal by browsing the fridge and pantry, making ingredient substitutions, and creating something yummy 😊    

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . . Italy! 

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . . curled up on the couch with my cats, reading a good book or watching sports. 

A book, movie, TV show, sports team, etc. you love:  I was born and bred to be a lifelong Bills fan! My dad was one of the original season ticket holders when they became a team. Be good, do good, God Bless, Go Bills! 

I also enjoy a good Baldacci, Patterson, or Picoult book! 

Something fun, interesting, or meaningful about yourself: I have a 23-year old nephew, Joe, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Joe is one of the loves of my life! He has given so much joy to our family and taught us so much about being courageous in this world that is often not accepting of differences and disabilities. Witnessing how my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews (Joe’s brothers) support Joe helps me see things from the perspective of a family member, not just as a service provider.