Rhonda Terry began her employment with Delaware County on June 29, 1998 as a Department of Social Services Welfare Examiner.  On January 1, 1999, she became a Social Services Program Specialist Trainee and was promoted to Social Services Program Specialist on June 29, 1999.  In 2011, Rhonda received another promotion to the title of Third Party Resource Specialist. During a colleague’s leave of absence from August 11, 2014 to October 6, 2014, Rhonda served as a Senior Program Specialist, performing her own duties as Third Party Resource Specialist as well as that of Supervisor for the Program Specialist team.

In her position as Third Party Resource Specialist, Rhonda draws on her years of experience with the Department of Social Services to ensure that clients are enrolled in the applicable specialty areas of Medicaid, such as the Medicare Savings Program, that helps clients pay for their Medicare Insurance.  She is one of DSS’s Certified Application Counselors and helps Medicaid applicants that can no longer apply locally.  Since January, Rhonda has spearheaded enrolling all eligible incarcerated individuals in Medicaid, which can help decrease medical costs to the County when inmates are hospitalized during their incarceration.  Her work also enables inmates to quickly activate their Medicaid coverage when they are released from jail. The Department depends on Rhonda to resolve the many managed care and Medicaid issues due to the slow transition of Medicaid to the NYS Department of Health.  Rhonda is one of the main liaisons with Fidelis Care, our managed care provider.

Rhonda likes the variety and scope of her job saying “there is always something different” each day to handle.  The fact that she enjoys her work and the people she works with is evident in her laughter and ability to see the positive in the multitude of dilemmas faced by DSS staff each day.

Rhonda is always willing to tackle the many changes that are the reality at the Agency with a smile, a sense of humor and dedication.  Rhonda’s ability to see the positive in the work she and others do for the community, to show compassion and care toward the individuals the Department works with, and her support for her coworkers makes her an excellent candidate for Employee of the Month.

Rhonda and John Terry have been married 20+ years.  They have two children, Dakota who is in the Air Force and stationed in Phoenix, Arizona and Austin who is 12 years old and attends Downsville Central School.  Austin loves animals as evidenced in the fact that their home includes two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, two guinea pigs, one hamster and, the latest addition, six chicks.  Rhonda is also close with her mother and father.

Rhonda loves country music and attended eight music events last year.  She also enjoys going to the movies, camping, traveling, especially to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and spending time with her family. Rhonda loves adventure, especially riding zip lines.  At quieter times, she likes swimming in her heated pool and lounging pool side. Rhonda also enjoys crafts such as making beautiful cards and signs.

Congratulations and thank you, Rhonda, for a job well done.