Clients who choose Merrick for life enrichment services have access to community integration; therapeutic experiences including animal assistance, horticulture, and music activities; arts and crafts; sensory integration; social and recreation; positive behavior support planning; augmented communication including assistive technology and American Sign Language; and enriched staff-to-client ratios. Clients have access to multiple activity settings and individualized strategies and schedules to promote emotional, mental, and physical health.
Admission Inquiries
Complete our admission inquiries form for more information about Merrick, Inc.’s Alternative Services.
With a desire to embed services within a community, Merrick opened the ADS program in downtown North St. Paul in 2012. This unique program provides a variety of health, social, and related support services in a protective and nurturing environment.
Merrick strives to enable clients to pursue personal preferences. We use a self-assessment and discovery process to assist clients with identifying specific activities in the community in which to participate. Clients enrolled in the program are encouraged to foster their own engagement as “citizens” of North St. Paul through opportunities for commerce, volunteerism, community service, and participation in community activities. ADS facilitates group events, activities, and outings based on suggestions from the clients.
Program Focus
ADS provides the health, social, and nutritional services necessary to slow the loss of function, maintain socialization skills, and encourage meaningful social experiences with non-disabled peers in the general community. We offer on- and off-site social and leisure activities (e.g. animal assistance activities, arts and crafts, horticulture, music, social skills games, shopping, tours); physical therapy, and self-advocacy experiences. We promote Person-Centered Planning and choices made by the clients. The ADS program strives to be an integral part of the North St. Paul community where clients have meaningful social interactions with members of the community, contribute through acts of volunteerism; and in turn, enjoy opportunities for members of the community to share their time and talents as program volunteers.
Admission Inquiries
For information about Merrick, Inc.’s Adult Day Services, you can contact:
Check out the most recent and past issues of Merrick, Inc.’s Enewsletter Navigator to learn how you can get involved at Merrick and how Merrick is making a difference in local communities by empowering adults with disabilities.
Assigned to Enhanced Services located at 3210 Labore Road in Vadnais Heights. Our Direct Support Professionals working in the vocational programs support, train, and supervise adults with intellectual disabilities who are interested in performing facility-based work contracts and/or community-based work opportunities. Specific duties include:
Training and supervising individuals with intellectual disabilities while they are engaged in work/vocational tasks and occasional rec/leisure activities;
Overseeing the work performed by the individuals to ensure that they are performing their duties in a manner that meets/exceeds business expectations;
Implementing a variety of person-centered planning goals and outcomes;
Documenting on service delivery, progress on goals, outcomes, relevant events, activities, and payroll;
Assisting with personal cares as needed; and
Driving company vehicles.
It is also important to note that this position will be working directly with individuals with disabilities who can become frustrated, noncompliant, and/or aggressive. To best ensure the clients’ success while they are working or participating in other activities, this staff must:
Be sensitive to the clients’ frustrations;
Demonstrate proactive behavioral approaches;
Possess excellent behavior management skills and the ability to deal with crisis situations; and
Basic sign language skills are a plus.
Qualified candidates must possess the following:
A minimum of a high school diploma or GED. A community college AA degree, technical school degree, Human Services degree, or a four year Bachelor of Arts/Science degree is preferred;
A minimum of six to 12 months of work experience supporting individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities is preferred;
A sincere and passionate desire to work with persons with disabilities;
Committed to self-advocacy and person-centered planning principles;
Proven crisis management and de-escalation skills;
Basic computer and data entry skills;
Comfortable and respectful when assisting individuals with personal cares;
Ability to problem solve and work independently;
Meet the physical demands of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, including regularly standing, walking, and bending as well as assisting persons with personal cares, ambulation, etc.; and
Focused on the quality of work at all times.
Candidates must also pass a criminal background check, a motor vehicle record check, a DOT physical, and a drug screen. The position is full-time (40 hours per week, M-F day hours, is benefit eligible) with the hourly rate of pay starting at $15.00. Position includes paid time off and paid holidays.
