Agencies providing Employment and Community First CHOICES services across the state were recently asked to nominate Direct Support Professionals (DSP’s) who are making a significant difference in the lives they support.  Each region chose two winners from all the nominees.  MHDS is so proud that Kathy Bell was chosen for her outstanding efforts to improve the employment prospects of someone she worked with.  Their story follows.

When MHDS began supporting Adam, the primary challenge was to get him involved in the community and to find places he liked to go due to his very narrow interests.  Video games and Disney movies were the topic of every conversation.  Because of his inability to focus on anything but these subjects, Adam’s parents found it hard to imagine that he would be able to gain and keep employment in the community.  They decided to help him start a business with candy machines.  They were able to place 7 machines in 5 businesses in their hometown but realized they did not have the time to help him promote and expand his business to allow it to be a viable income source for him.  They expressed that to MHDS and staff person/DSP, Kathy Bell, really saw that as an opportunity to forge a relationship and help Adam.

Kathy helped Adam develop a sales pitch to use when he went into a prospective business concentrating on not drifting into conversations about his preferred topics.  She practiced with him daily the words to say and how to deliver the message.  Soon Adam had the ability and confidence he needed to talk to retail outlets about placing more of his vending machines.  Adam has now placed 46 candy machines in 26 businesses in 4 different towns in the area.  He and Kathy are still working hard on finding new businesses to place machines.  Adam’s business has become a good source of income for him and broadened his interests and abilities to integrate in the community.  Adam’s mom, Jane, states “Kathy genuinely wants to help Adam and others reach their goals.  Kathy is a caring person that is well informed and understanding of her son’s needs.”  An added benefit is Adam’s ability to engage in broader conversations and activities within the community.  Kathy’s interest and persistence to see Adam succeed have paid dividends to him in multiple and lasting ways.  Kathy is an exemplary and dedicated credit to her profession.

We love sharing new stories in our Supported Employment Spotlight with you!

Faye is a hard worker and has always enjoyed having work to do. She’s very successful in her current job. Her job coach, employer, and the MHDS Supported Employment Manager all have nothing but praise for Faye!

Read her success story here.

? Happy New Year!! ?

We’re excited about all that is coming up for us in 2019! To start the year off right, we’re celebrating Johnny’s success in his job with a new story in our Supported Employment Spotlight.

Johnny has an infectious attitude that is a fantastic example for the others who work around him. He appreciates the opportunity to work and make money and he has a lot of pride in the work he does. Read his story here.

MHDS Award Recipients

It’s always exciting when people associated with MHDS get recognition! Each year, TNCO (Tennessee Community Organizations) holds an awards ceremony to recognize achievements and accomplishments of service organizations, their employees and volunteers, and their persons supported.

This year, we have two award recipients – one person supported and one employee!

William McClellan received the “Individual Achievement for Persons Supported – West Region” award for his hard work and success at his job at Old Hatchie Veterinary Clinic in Bolivar. William has been working through the emotional toll that the recent loss of his sister has had on him, but has been working hard to thrive in his job.

William’s employer, Dr. Frank Wilhite, is highly impressed with the work William does at the clinic, and William has a lot to be proud of. Mr. Wilhite tells us, “William is a true asset and we’re glad that he’s here.” William is also currently enjoying being in the spotlight this month in our Supported Employment Spotlight.

Donna Staten, who has been a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for MHDS for the past 3 years, won the “Outstanding Direct Support Professional – West Region” award by always going above and beyond the call of duties that fall under the title of DSP. Donna truly cares for the persons she has supported during her tenure at MHDS, and she shows this by going out of her way to keep her persons supported comfortable during emotionally trying times, as well as being personally connected to the family members of the persons supported as well.

She goes out of her way to make sure each person she supports, and their families, know that they are truly cared for and what they need and want are important to her. Donna is a true asset to MHDS.

See pictures below of the recipients at the awards ceremony.

We have a new success story in our Supported Employment Spotlight!

We love updating our Supported Employment Spotlight! It’s a great chance for you to learn how persons with differing abilities could help your organization, and it’s fun to toot the horn of someone doing a fantastic job!

This month we’re celebrating William’s success at the Old Hatchie Veterinary Clinic in Bolivar. Click here to read his story.

We have a new success story in our Supported Employment Spotlight!

Read about Dan’s new job and how he’s finding success and fulfillment. Not only is Dan enjoying himself, his supervisors are happy to find a helper in Dan. Read his story and cheer on his success!

Click here to read his story and cheer on his success!

We have a new success story in our Supported Employment Spotlight!

Read about Flo’s success after her sheltered workshop employment ended, which was an uneasy time for her. She has since found a place to thrive and we’re excited to share Flo’s story!

Click here to read about what Flo is up to these days.

At work with supervisor, Maria Howell