09/22/2023
*HCNS Spotlight #6*
Meet Howell County Next Steps Support Coordinator Shana O'Mary!
What was your first job? Resolutions when I turned 16. It was a womenâs workout facility.
How long have you worked at HCNS? 4 years working on 5.
What led you to choose this career path? I love people, I love to talk, and I always want to help; so this career is where I know I can succeed and use the traits Iâve been given to make someoneâs life better.
What are some positive things about this job? Everyone I get to work with that is on my caseload has been a blessing in my life and I always hope I can be a blessing in return. I love getting to know my families and experience the highs and lows with them. One last personal positive is all my families I work with respect my time with my family and I get to enjoy my family every evening (BUT my families know they can always reach out to me in case of an emergency).
Best advice you could give someone coming into this field? (Or in general) Everyday is something new, no day will be the exact same. Just make sure that you are always a listening ear to a guardian who is stressed, make it a goal to make your consumer smile/laugh, but overall make sure you are doing everything you can to make a difference.
Tell us about significant other/kids/siblings/animals? My husband, Nick, and I have been together 11 years this year. We have an amazing family which includes: Jupiter, 9 year old, Black Lab who we rescued from a shelter; Keelo, 7 year old, German Shepherd, who I got from a fellow Investigator at Childrenâs Division; and Rowen, she will be 5 in October and starting preschool this year. In our spare time we all have favorite things we enjoy doing, Nick would be playing video games, I would be reading, Jupiter would be laying on the couch soaking up the rays, Keelo would be eating everything in sight, and Rowen would be dressing up as a Princess and singing.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I enjoy reading a good book, I have always loved photography, watching a scary movie, watching the Chiefs play, or even watching Netflix.
Favorite season? I love winter! I love watching it snow, but I always got excited when they would close school down and I would get to play outside with my siblings. I now get to enjoy that time with my daughter.
Best place youâve ever been to? I have been to New York City and that was amazing and beautiful. My entire family goes to the beach every year (22 of us) and we make the best memories. We are taking our daughter to Disney this year and that may turn into being my best place.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a teacher or a dolphin trainer. I didnât end up doing either, but I will say I am doing what makes me happy and I feel like I am making a difference in our community one family at a time.
