At Quest’s Training Centers, dedicated staff work every day to ensure participants receive the support they need to reach their personal goals. Candice Hancock is a team member whose compassion, intuition and leadership have made a lasting impact on both participants and colleagues.
A True Calling
Candice’s connection with Quest began through her role as a driver for Access LYNX. One of her regular drop-off locations was the training center, where she often lingered. Her warmth didn’t go unnoticed. Shanna Berrian, staffing and operations coordinator at Quest’s Training Center in Apopka, saw how instinctively Candice connected with those she transported and encouraged her to apply.
“I hadn’t worked with individuals with developmental disabilities before, but I always felt like it was something I was meant to do,” Candice says.
In 2019, she acted on her instinct and joined Quest, gaining experience across multiple programs, including Quest Village, an independent residential community for adults with developmental disabilities.
Passionate About Helping Others
Today, she serves as a direct support professional at the Apopka Training Center. In her role, attention to detail is essential. Whether she’s managing tube feedings, administering medications or assisting with personal care, her responsibilities demand a level of attentiveness that goes far beyond routine care. Candice has a way of noticing the small things — a change in expression, a shift in breathing, a moment of discomfort.
Her instincts and calm under pressure give staff and families confidence that participants are in capable hands. In moments that required quick action, Candice has been the first to recognize when something wasn’t right — and the first to respond.
Candice’s attentiveness doesn’t just show up in emergencies; it shapes the everyday progress participants make. She taught basic sign language to a nonverbal participant who had long relied on behaviors to express her needs. By patiently reinforcing simple signs, Candice helped her strengthen her communication skills.
“Candice is particularly gifted when working with clients with higher behavioral support needs. The individual can now communicate some of her wants and needs, like using the restroom, which has helped us see a decline in behavioral data,” says Faye Murphy, vice president of training and recreation.
That same level of compassion and patience extends to her colleagues. New staff members naturally gravitate toward Candice, often looking to her for guidance, reassurance and hands–on training. She leads by example, taking initiative, supporting her team and helping create an environment where everyone can learn and grow.
Every day, dedicated staff like Candice help further Quest’s mission by providing the support and opportunities individuals need to thrive. Her work is a reminder that the right person in the right role can change lives. If you’re interested in a career helping individuals experience a full life, explore opportunities at Quest, Inc.
