Strengthening Connections: Meet Dave's House Community Care Navigator, Jen Mauco
At Dave's House, we know that stable housing is only one part of the solution. Long-term success also requires access to behavioral healthcare, medical services, community resources, and trusted support systems that help individuals navigate life's challenges. That's why we're proud to welcome Jen Mauco as our new Community Care Navigator.
With more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, residential services, care coordination, crisis intervention, and community partnerships, Jen has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate complex systems and connect with the services they need to build stable, independent lives. Her experience coordinating care, developing community partnerships, and supporting vulnerable populations makes her an invaluable addition to the Dave's House team as we continue expanding our impact across Central Florida.
Made possible through a generous investment from the BIG NOVA Foundation, the Community Care Navigator position expands Dave's House's ability to serve adults living with serious mental illness throughout Orange and Seminole Counties. Working from the Dave's House LaunchPad in Sanford, Jen serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, housing organizations, and community agencies—helping ensure people receive coordinated care and access to the resources they need to achieve long-term stability.
While much of Jen's career has focused on children, youth, and families, the foundation of her work has always been behavioral health, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, residential services, and helping people navigate community resources. Those skills translate directly to supporting adults living with serious mental illness as they work toward recovery, independence, and permanent housing.
A Home Base for Community Connection
Jen works from the Dave's House LaunchPad, our first permanent presence in Seminole County, located within the Neighborhood Non-Profit Co-Op in Sanford. Established through the generous support of the Universal Orlando Foundation, the LaunchPad serves as a welcoming space for community outreach, partnership development, donor engagement, and individuals seeking information about supportive housing and behavioral health resources. As Dave's House at Celery Community moves closer to becoming a reality, the LaunchPad provides a place where relationships are built, referrals are coordinated, and future residents begin connecting with the network of support that will help them thrive.
Getting to Know Jen
Tell us about your professional background.
For more than 20 years, my career has focused on helping people navigate difficult life circumstances through behavioral health services, residential care, and community-based support. I've worked alongside individuals and families experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, abuse, homelessness, and other complex needs. Throughout my career, one constant has been helping people access the resources, relationships, and services that move them toward stability and hope.
Most recently, I served as Director of a residential treatment program, leading multidisciplinary staff, coordinating services, supporting families, and partnering with community organizations to help residents achieve meaningful outcomes.
What interested you most about joining Dave's House?
Throughout my career, I've seen how stable housing can transform lives. When housing is combined with behavioral healthcare, coordinated services, and strong community partnerships, people have the opportunity to build lasting independence. Dave's House brings all of those elements together, and I'm excited to help build that system of support here in my own community.
I've lived in Sanford for 17 years, so being part of establishing Dave's House and serving my neighbors makes this opportunity especially meaningful.
As you begin connecting with individuals, families, and community partners, what are you most excited to accomplish?
I'm excited to continue building relationships throughout the community while helping people find the resources they need. As we prepare to welcome our first residents, my goal is to create an environment where individuals feel supported, respected, and empowered, with services tailored to their unique needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Jen's Core Expertise
Throughout her career, Jen has developed expertise in:
Behavioral Health Care Coordination
Community Resource Navigation
Residential Program Leadership
Crisis Intervention
Trauma-Informed Care
Community Partnerships
Cross-System Collaboration
Housing Stability Support
Family Advocacy
Service Coordination
These areas of expertise will help strengthen Dave's House's collaborative approach to permanent supportive housing by ensuring residents, families, healthcare providers, and community partners remain connected through every step of the journey.
Looking Ahead
As Dave's House prepares to welcome residents to the future Dave's House at Celery Community, Jen is already helping build the collaborative network of healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, housing partners, and community resources that will support residents as they build stable, independent lives. Please join us in welcoming Jen to the Dave's House family. Her experience, compassion, leadership, and commitment to serving others will play an important role as we continue expanding supportive housing opportunities and strengthening behavioral health connections throughout Central Florida.