Rance Thetford, Supported Employment Manager, was recently recognized as the Outstanding Manager for the West Tennessee region among his TNCO nominated peers. TNCO is a state association of service providers to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Rance has been a loyal employee of MHDS, Inc since 2000. He has facilitated and embraced many changes over the years in multiple roles with the agency. As Manager of Workshop Operations, he served a critical function in the transitioning of the agency’s sheltered workshop to integrated employment within the community. He is an encourager who helped staff and persons supported be assured that the coming changes would be of benefit.
When we implemented the ECF Choices Program in 2017, Rance advanced to his current role of Supported Employment Manager. He assisted staff with learning the methods and practices associated with the new program. He helped staff develop their own job skills and become familiar with their community so they could help those we support do the same. Rance has always been fair and professional towards his team. Rance exudes enthusiasm towards day to day challenges by demonstrating calm and competency in the face of a setback.
Rance has developed a close bond with Union University’s Edge program which is a post high school college experience for special needs adults. He has been helpful to many students while transitioning from home life to school life in a dormitory setting. Since he has two daughters in college himself, he draws upon their experiences to understand how the new students are feeling and put aside fears. He also enjoys seeing the success the Edge is having because his youngest daughter will one day be eligible for the program.
Rance has worked closely with Vocational Rehabilitation to encourage persons supported to pursue their employment goals. Rance has spent numerous hours training, studying and learning about the new systems in order to help others achieve their dreams of work and independence in the community. Rance has grown our VR caseload in the time he started managing it. He also manages our ECF Supported Employment caseload of 29 individuals and DIDD Supported Employment caseload of 12 individuals. Persons receiving Supported Employment services are working an average of 17 hours per week earning minimum wage or higher.
Rance takes to heart MHDS’s mission statement of “advancing the quality of life” for those we serve. A great example of that mindset is Rance’s effort to secure employment for BP. BP has many health issues, is sometimes difficult to understand and has a hard time communicating. BP’s desire to work was stronger than his disabilities. Rance assisted with finding the perfect match for BP to work in the community and still take care of himself. BP has now worked at Outback Steakhouse for 3 years. BP’s job coach is trained on his dietary needs, understands he prefers minimal job assistance, and has the personality to match BP to promote success.
Rance has a strong commitment and determination to see others succeed and fulfill their dreams. He never strives for accolades but would rather offer them to someone else. His abilities to pull his team together to support the needs of the people we serve and his overall positive energetic attitude every single day are greatly admired and appreciated by everyone at MHDS. We are proud to have Rance on our staff striving to see every person we support achieve their own goals. He is a valued member of the MHDS team. We congratulate him on his recognition from TNCO.