Blog

This September, HCO Program Services Director, Mary Jansen, retired from Home and Community Options. Mary first started her career with HCO in the spring of 1976.  She was initially hired as a Primary Counselor and became a Program Coordinator in 1981 when the agency opened a second home. In 1987, Mary became a Program Services Director and she has continued in this capacity for the past 34 years. As HCO’s longest-termed employee, Mary has experienced every transition the agency has had as services and needs have changed over the years. She worked with the county and HCO’s Executive Director, going to regional state hospitals to find people who were originally from Winona or had family here, and was able help families transition their loved ones back into the community. Over time, the need for more personalized support and flexibility in services became apparent. Current service models and larger [...]