At Dungarvin’s Day Program in Rancocas, New Jersey, not only do participants choose from a wide variety of skill-building and fun activities, they enjoy regular outings to visit new places, have new experiences and enjoy life in their community. Making it all happen are the Day Program’s skilled and dedicated Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), expertly led by Director Cynthia Roesler. Together, this team has built a culture centered on community inclusion, choice and connection, aligning with Dungarvin’s mission of “respecting and responding to the choices of people in need of supports.”
A Team That Leads With Curiosity
The Rancocas Day Program approach considers more than a person’s diagnosis, disability or challenges described in an individual support plan. The team starts with some simple questions: What does this individual we are supporting enjoy? Have we given them opportunities to make choices?
Have we introduced different activities and allowed them to show us what interests them? Staff then challenge participants, in a positive and supportive way, to make choices and take part in activities built around their own interests.
Cynthia, known among her colleagues as the “Queen of Engagement,” sets the tone by encouraging her staff to think this way and giving individuals room to act on their choices. The team carries that vision into every interaction, from daily activities at the program to outings across the state.
People Behind the Progress
The Rancocas team is made up of dedicated professionals who each bring their own strengths to work. Semaje Alston, a Dungarvin New Jersey 2026 DSP Hero, brings exceptional creativity to the program through hands-on activities designed for participants of all abilities.
Semaje has a rare gift for connecting with individuals who are typically isolated or reluctant to engage, helping them become more social and, in some cases, begin communicating. She also excels at implementing Behavior Support Plans, working calmly and confidently with individuals who display challenging behaviors.
Terrence Wynn is known for the strong rapport he’s able to build with participants. He has a way of working with each person that makes them feel seen and heard, and that trust is the foundation for so much of the growth they experience. When participants know someone truly listens to them, they are more willing to try new things, share what they want and be more active in their choices.
Ramira Crossland’s talent is coming up with great activities. Her ideas keep the Rancocas calendar fresh and engaging and give participants something to look forward to. Her creativity helps turn the team’s person-centered philosophy into experiences participants genuinely enjoy.
Supported by this expert team, Day Program participants have enjoyed a carnival just for them, a Valentine’s dance and community service activities, such as helping deliver meals to seniors through Meals on Wheels. In early September, participants and staff traveled together to Atlantic City, where the group enjoyed good food, tried their luck at the slots and took in the outdoor entertainment along the boardwalk. Outings like these take careful planning, coordination, and teamwork, and the Rancocas staff make it happen so participants can enjoy classic New Jersey destinations with friends and the people who support them.
“Rancocas staff plan, lead, and adapt lessons so each participant can take part in a way that reflects who they are.”
Putting Interests Into Action
Cynthia and her team recently launched a new program called “Step Up to Social Connection.” It includes functional skill-building curriculum designed for adult day support, vocational habilitation and transition-aged youth. The curriculum gives participants structured, interest-based opportunities to engage, build real-world skills and take the next step toward their personal goals.
Here are some examples of the skills participants learn:
- Social: Meeting people, reading social cues, making and keep friends
- Hobbies: Game nights, photography, gardening, fishing
- Volunteering: At parks, food banks, animal shelters
- Health and wellness: fitness, coping with anxiety, medical advocacy
Rancocas staff plan, lead, and adapt lessons so each participant can take part in a way that reflects who they are, and many lessons connect directly to the outings and community experiences the team organizes.
At Rancocas, community inclusion isn’t a special event — it’s our way of operating. The team gives participants choices, respects their choices, and responds accordingly. With Cynthia’s leadership and the dedication of every member of the Rancocas staff, participants are finding their voices, building relationships, contributing to their communities and enjoying fuller, more independent lives. It’s exactly what person-centered services should look like, and the Rancocas team is showing how it’s done — together.
If you or someone you know is interested in receiving services from Dungarvin New Jersey or in another state, please visit www.Dungarvin.com.