Please join us in congratulating Jasmine Allen-Meyer, as the October Staff on the RISE. Jasmine started at RISE as a Progressive Steps Apartment Program (PSAP) Counselor in May 2021. She was promoted to the PSAP Service Plan Writer in August 2022.
In her new role, Jasmine will be working with all the PSAP residents and their counselors to develop individualized goals and objectives. She also maintains the PSAP apartment inventory and checklist – which she reconfigured, updating and maintaining the PSAP service plan bank – including updating or finding new worksheets used in the service plan objectives, and scheduling maintenance and cleanings for the PSAP vans.
“Jasmine has been a model of consistency and organization.”
Matt Durham, PSAP Program Director, says, “Jasmine has been a model of consistency and organization. She has developed tracking forms to assist herself to meet deadlines and has shared these forms with other staff which has been extremely helpful to new staff. She is working diligently to add new worksheets to the PSAP service plan bank. I am looking forward to seeing her develop as the Service Plan Writer and the creativity she will bring to the position.”
“I am excited about being the service plan writer. I have been very interested in this position since I first started with PSAP,” Jasmine exclaims. “I’ve studied cognitive psychology and am very interested in applying what I’ve learned in helping PSAP residents develop their goals. Everyone has their own personal learning style. I hope to be able to assist the residents to figure out what methods work best for them to be able to attain their monthly objectives and ultimately their long-term goals.”
Jasmine also continues to carry a client caseload. “It will be interesting to see how my work creating service plans is making a difference in their lives. I’ve worked with each of these residents for at least a year and I’ve already seen so much growth towards more independence. One resident is currently applying for his own apartment to be able to live independently in the community. Another resident came into PSAP with poor social skills, very limited budgeting skills, and was unable to maintain her environment. Now she is able to interact with others more appropriately, is trying to learn budgeting, and is working on maintaining her environment. I am looking forward to continuing to assist them in developing these skills both as the service plan writer and as their primary counselor.”
“I hope to utilize my education in providing services to individuals with psychiatric disabilities.”
Jasmine started her college career by studying business management at Adirondack Community College. After taking a break, she has started back again and is in her senior year at SUNY Adirondack where she is working on a bachelor’s in psychology. She hopes to continue her education after graduation to earn a master’s in cognitive psychology. “I really enjoy working in direct care. I hope to be able to continue in my education to be able to utilize the knowledge and insight that I’ll gain in providing services to individuals with psychiatric disabilities,” Jasmine explains. “I am also interested in becoming part of the leadership at RISE. I worked in the food and hospitality industry as a manger – which made good use of my business management education. I feel that my education and experience will help me grow in my career at RISE, especially as the agency continues to grow and develop new programs.”
Jasmine comes from a long line of hard workers on both sides of her family. Their example developed her strong work ethic and her sense of empowerment as a woman. “My parents taught me about female empowerment and that, as a woman, I could excel in any career I choose. My father always used my grandmother’s career as an engineer at General Electric during an era where women usually did not work in that field to inspire me. I am also very motivated by the residents I work with. They deserve someone who is on top of their game to provide them services. The PSAP team is also instrumental in my desire to excel in my job. It is such an uplifting and supportive environment, which is very motivating.”
In her off time, Jasmine enjoys spending time with her fiancé and 6 year-old daughter. They like to spend time outside hiking, biking, and kayaking. She and her daughter enjoy getting their nails done, watching movies – recently scary Halloween movies, as well as listening to music, reading, and dancing. Jasmine is close to her extended family, who are all in the area. “We get together often to do fun things like drive in movie nights at home. My brother projects movies onto a screen in the backyard. Its great summertime fun!”
RISE administration appreciates all that Jasmine does for the PSAP program. She is highly motivated, compassionate, and dedicated – all the qualities of a Staff on the Rise. We look forward to watching her grow in her career. Please join us in congratulating her as our October Staff on the Rise.