VRS_Jan Thompson retirement announcement

Good Morning!

The time has come for me to announce my upcoming retirement.  My last day of VRS employment will be August 4, 2020.  I’ve had a rewarding career with Vocational Rehabilitation Services, where I’ve been able to live out our great mission of empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their goals for competitive, integrated employment.

My career with our agency began as a Rehabilitation Counselor in a former Minneapolis inner city office at the intersection of Lake Street and Bloomington Avenue.  At that time I was serving a case load of individuals who were all receiving SSDI or SSI benefits.  I thoroughly enjoyed working directly with our participants to meet their individual goals for employment, which often involved educational advancement.  After over ten years working as a Counselor, I accepted a RAM position in Northeast Minneapolis.  Later, I transferred to the former Edina VRS office which also included oversight of the Shakopee VRS office.  After the Edina office moved to what has now become the Bloomington CareerForce Center, I opened up the current Chaska office.  During my tenure as a RAM, I managed five VRS offices and worked with the most outstanding colleagues.  For the past eight years as the VRS Field Director, I’ve overseen our statewide Field Services and have appreciated the exceptional talent, energy and hard work of all of you.

I’m thankful for your willingness to bring your supply of ideas, dedication and creativity to our shared work.  While I know that there are unique challenges facing us, I’m confident that we have resourceful and diligent leadership both within our state agency and within the greater Minnesota vocational rehabilitation community to address these issues.  I’m hopeful that you will continue to support one another, offer your practical ideas, and be forward-thinking in advancing our important services to participants.

With these days of social distancing and precautions, I don’t plan to have a retirement get-together, although I’d welcome hearing from you individually.

Between now and August 4th, I will be working closely with our Quality Assurance Planning Workgroup and will be working with the VRS Leadership Team on delivery of services and the eventual reopening of CareerForce Centers and individual VRS offices.  I also will be taking some vacation time.  

Thank you for your dedication and support over these past years, as well as your professionalism and ongoing commitment to the people we serve.  As I move into a new phase of life, I will carry with me so many good memories of my work with you all. 

Jan