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Author: Megan Kunelli

Navigator Issue 51

Published June 21, 2024

In the latest issue of Merrick’s e-newsletter Navigator,

  • How Your Fiscal-Year Gift Makes a Difference
  • Olmstead Plan Refresh | Opportunity to Influence
  • The Art of Me | “We’re Here Together”
  • Meet Willow, Merrick’s Therapy Dog
  • and more.

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The Art of Me | “We’re Here Together”

Published June 19, 2024

On Friday, June 7, a group of 14 clients from our life enrichment program, staff, and the teaching artists from Upstream Arts proudly presented “The Art of Me” at Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake.

A collaboration between Merrick and Upstream Arts, “The Art of Me” featured live art, musical instruments, skits, songs, poems, dancing, and lots of laughter from both performers and audience members alike. The theme of the morning was “I’m here! You’re here! We’re here together!” This statement more than anything perfectly encapsulated the feelings of joy and connection that emulated from the performers.

For the artists on stage, the performance represented the accumulation of several months of collaboration between the clients at Merrick and the Upstream Arts’ teaching artists during which relationships were built and the creative arts were explored.

The performance marked the third time that Merrick has partnered with Upstream Arts to create such a production, which is a record for the number of times that an organization has partnered with Upstream Arts. And based on the feedback from this year’s production, it probably won’t be the last.

2024 A4R Impact Report

Deloris at 2022 PartyPublished June 19, 2024

The 2023-24 Ambassadors for Respect (A4R) season has concluded and the final numbers are in.

Our 2024 A4R team consisted of 5 self-advocates: Leanne, Christine, Doris, Cindy, and Sam. From February through April, they visited 9 fourth-grade classrooms at three elementary schools reaching a total of 219 students.

Based on the survey completed by participants following the presentation, the following outcomes were achieved:

  • 99% of fourth graders could list three ways to include others;
  • 96% indicated that they had learned how to use person-first language;
  • 99% could list three ways to advocate for themselves and others.

The complete report may be downloaded below.

2023-24 Merrick A4R Impact Report

We are so proud of these five self-advocates for stepping out of their comfort zone and seeking to make the world a better place by telling their story to the younger generation.

Ambassadors for Respect is a program of PeaceMaker Minnesota and represents one example of how Merrick practices its core belief of civic responsibility.

Under the Surface | Deloris’ Story

Published June 19, 2024

With headphones over her ears and her attention on the task in front of her, Deloris is unlikely to acknowledge the casual visitor to Room C of Merrick’s Enhanced Services (ES) area. After all, she has a large pile of Medtox lead test kits in front of her to assemble and has little time for frivolous conversations while she’s on the clock. So, she quietly continues working with only the music of Usher in her ear for company, seemingly unconcerned with the activities of others.

Dede knows better. As she enters the room, Deloris glimpses Dede out of the corner of her eye, and her face immediately breaks into a radiant smile. “Did you get a haircut, Dede?” Deloris asks. “It looks nice.”

“Yes, I did get a new haircut. I’m glad you like it.” Dede replies. Having worked for Merrick for over 35 years, Dede has known Deloris since she first enrolled at Merrick in 2006. She knows that behind Deloris’ stoic demeanor is an incredibly observant, intuitive, kindhearted person. Hence, Dede was not surprised that Deloris noticed her new haircut. In fact, she expected it. However, Deloris’ intuitive nature was not always so apparent.

Read more

2024 Art of Me Performance

Event Date: June 7, 2024

Art Of Me Group (1)
Art Of Me Group (2)
Art Of Me Group (3)
Art Of Me Group (4)
Art Of Me Group (5)
Art Of Me Group (6)
Art Of Me Group (10)
Art Of Me Group (11)
Art Of Me Group (12)
Art Of Me Group (13)
Art Of Me Group (14)
Art Of Me Group (15)
Art Of Me Group (16)
Art Of Me Group (17)
Art Of Me Group (18)
Art Of Me Group (19)
Art Of Me   Tim S
Art Of Me   Michele G
Art Of Me   Leigh G
Art Of Me   Leigh G (2)
Art Of Me   Jeff H
Art Of Me   Arlene S

2024 Charity Golf Scramble

Event Date: June 3, 2024
Photo Credit: Steve Kjelland Photographers

01A RCU 1
01A   RCU 1 & Client
01B   RCU 2
01B   RCU 2 & Client
02A   Total Mechanical 1
02A   Total Mechanical 1 & Client
02B   Total Mechanical 2
02B   Total Mechanical 2 & Client
03A   Cashe
03A   Cashe & Client
03B   Warners Stellian
03B   Warners Stellian & Client
04A   Mulcahy
04A   Mulcahy & Client
04B   Mulcahy Larson
04B   Mulcahy Larson & Client
05A   Murphy 1
05B   Murphy 2
06A   Austad
06A   Austad & Client
06B   Schneeman
06B   Schneeman & Client
07A   Brausen Family Repair
07A   Brausen Family Repair & Client
07B   Maguire
07B   Maguire & Client
08A   CFS Interiors
08A   CFS Interiors & Client
08B   Koch NationaLease
08B   Koch NationaLease & Client
09A   Frandsen Bank 1
09A   Frandsen Bank 1 & Client
09B   Frandsen Bank 2
09B   Frandsen Bank 2 & Client
10A   Sanfilippo
10A   Sanfilippo & Client
10B   Levy
10B   Levy & Client
11A   Greenbaum 1
11A   Greenbaum 1 & Client
11B   Greenbaum 2
11B   Greenbaum 2 & Client
11A&B   Greenbaum1&2
11A&B   Greenbaum 1&2 & Client
12A   Norsted
12A   Norsted & Client
12B   Clapper Hallgren
13A   HSCL
13A   HSCL & Client
13B   Lindenmeyr Munroe
13B   Lindenmeyr Munroe & Client
14A   Redpath
14A   Redpath & Client
14B   TCM
14B   TCM & Client
15A   Loffler
15A   Loffler & Client
15B   Attorneys Title
15B   Attorneys Title & Client
16A   Trenary
16A   Trenary & Client
16B   Osgood
16B   Osgood & Client
17A   Marzitelli Hough
17A   Marzitelli Hough & Client
17B   Hauck 1
17B   Hauck 1 & Client
18A   Hauck 2
18A   Hauck 2 & Client
18B   Gangl
18B   Gangl & Client
Bill & Kris Gangl Min

2024 Compass & Employee Milestone Awards

Event Date: May 8, 2024

Compass Award Nominees
Compass Award Winners
Valenzuela, Joann
Krohn, Brie
Newcomb, Shelly
Ikegboma, Onu
Milestone Awards
Cimbura, Dorin
Cooley, Katie
Herrera, Karen
Kostohryz, Tammy
Kuneli, Megan
Mallek, Brady
Mercado, Alyssa
Wold, Jenn

A Special Friend | Emily’s Story

Published January 19, 2024

Between 2:15 and 2:30 pm each afternoon, the tinkling of piano keys can often be heard echoing through the halls of Merrick’s Willow Lake Boulevard site. The notes do not form a clear melody line, and their sparseness may lead visitors to question whether the tinkling sound was just their imagination. Ask any staff member about it, and they will tell you that it’s Emily. Playing the piano is part of her afternoon routine. A routine that was not always so easy to follow.

When Emily first started at Merrick in the summer of 2023, nothing was routine. Being that Emily is non-verbal, uses limited American Sign Language, and had no prior experience at a day program, it proved a challenge for Emily to learn the daily routine. From where to place her personal belongings to when it was time to use the bathroom, none of it came easily at first. Slowly that all changed, in part, thanks to Emily’s new friend, Brooke.

Direct Support Professional Brooke joined the Willow Lake team around the same time that Emily started at Merrick, and it soon became clear that she and Emily had a special connection. While other DSPs relied exclusively on a hand-over-hand teaching style when supporting Emily, Brooke found that simply pointing to or handing her an object would elicit a response. Under Brooke’s direction, Emily would readily play with various wooden activity boards and would eventually develop an interest in playing the piano so much so that it would become part of her daily routine.

Read more

2024 Policies & Procedure Updates

Published January 9, 2024

This is a formal notification of Merrick’s policy and procedure updates that impact service delivery.

  1. The following language was added to the Admission Policy
    • The Company may deny admission based on a person’s criminal history that poses an imminent risk of harm to self or others.
    • The Company may offer a trial enrollment for a specified period when the following occurs.
      • The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) cannot identify the person’s specific support needs due to a new environment and needs the assessment period to identify those needs.
      • The person’s support needs are not consistent with the company’s assessment upon enrollment and needs the assessment period to come to agreement on those support needs.
    • The Program Director(s) or designee will approve all admissions, trial admissions, or denials and document in writing.
  2. The EUMR (Emergency Use of Manual Restraint Policy) was updated as follows:
    • An EUMR may be reported verbally or in writing to an Assistant Program Director, Program Director, or designee. The previous policy only allowed for a written report to an Assistant Program Director or Program Director.
    • A completed BIRF (Behavior Intervention Reporting Form) will be sent to each member of the expanded support team upon their request rather than within 24 hours.
  3. The Program Abuse Prevention Plans have updated demographics.
  4. The Client Rights added language on #12 which now states:
    • Be free from maltreatment including abuse, financial or other exploitation, retaliation, humiliation or neglect by the Company or its employees.
  5. The Safe Medication Administration Policy was updated due to the company’s transition of nurse consulting to Health Counseling Services.
  6. A Maltreatment of Minors Policy was added.

The policies referenced above can be viewed in full below. We will mail a hardcopy to you upon request.

Admission Policy
Emergency Use of Manual Restraints Policy
Program Abuse Prevention Plan – 3210 Labore Rd
Program Abuse Prevention Plan – 1239 Willow Lake Blvd
Client Rights
Safe Medication Administration Policy
Maltreatment of Minors Policy

A Parent’s Perspective on Disability Employment

Published November 17, 2023

Amy S.F. Lutz writes (November 8) from both experience and as a disability professional showing that elimination of the 14(c) wage paid to disabled workers is profoundly misguided. Minnesota considered and rejected such a course in its last legislative session, only narrowly avoiding an action spelling widespread unemployment and disenfranchisement for disabled workers like Lutz’ son and my daughter Elizabeth, who has worked at a disabled employment center in St. Paul for over a decade.

Advocates of eliminating the “subminimum wage,” have made two major errors that would have terrible consequences for disabled adults. The policy misapprehends both the basic realities of the labor market and the standards of equity it purports to defend.

Elizabeth’s experience belies descriptions of workplaces like hers as Dickensian dens that segregate disabled people to toil at monotonous work. Far from placing them in an environment in which they are exploited, such centers protect vulnerable adults from the risks and possible abuse they would face in an unfettered job market. Her job allows her to spend full days with talented staff and with her friends and co-workers. She receives a wage based on an established record of her productivity, which is not sufficient to support her, but does not cause her federal disability income to be reduced. Some of her co-workers stay at the center while others go into the community to work at businesses such as local supermarkets, where they are carefully supervised.

Suppose the subminimum wage were ended and an employer at a supermarket faced the choice of hiring someone to stock shelves. One applicant can stock product at twice the rate of another applicant who has cerebral palsy. Both are required to be paid the same minimum wage. Who will get the job? Probably not the disabled worker. Without the subminimum wage allowance, even employers who want to hire the disabled will have a disincentive to do so. Many more such workers will never find jobs at all.

Requiring that all workers, disabled or not, be paid the same wages confuses two types of equity. One kind of equity says people who are similarly situated should be treated the same. The other says that those who are not similarly situated should be treated differently. Those advocating the elimination of subminimum wages confuse the first type of equity with the second. A worker with cerebral palsy is not the same as a worker without it, and they should not be treated as if they are.

No one would deny the right of any worker to seek employment at any wage they might be able to secure, at or above the minimum. But to deny the opportunity to work for less than the minimum wage to those disabled workers who desire and enjoy such employment will mean that many more such workers will be closed out of the marketplace and will remain unemployed and home alone. It may also cause many disabled adult employment centers to shut down, reminiscent of Reagan era efforts to close centers for the mentally ill and leave them to fend for themselves.

These are the realities which advocates of eliminating 14(c) wages refuse to recognize.

Carlisle Ford Runge
Distinguished McKnight Professor of Applied Economics and Law
University of Minnesota