Megan Kuneli | Merrick, Inc.

2022 Online Auction | Ready, Set, Bid!

Written by Megan Kuneli on November 2, 2022. Posted in Fundraising Events, What's New.

Published November 2, 2022

Merrick is pleased to announce our 5^th Annual Online Auction starting Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

All are invited to browse and place bids on available auction items at 32Auctions.com/MerrickInc. No account is needed to browse auction items, but you will be required to create one to place a bid.

The auction will close on Thursday, November 10, at 9:00 P.M. CST.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of our auction items.

52-Bottle Wall of Wine
Autographed Football Donated By the Minnesota Vikings
Dinner & Show For 2 Donated By the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Foursome of Golf Donated By Majestic Oaks Golf Club
MN United FC Tickets Donated By John & Barbara Huston
Nutrition Coaching for 3 Months Donated By Success Training & Fitness
Private Wine Class for 20 Donated By Total Wine & More
White Gold Diamond Stud Earrings Donated By Wedding Day Diamonds
Wild vs Hurricanes Tickets Donated By Comcast Business

Go to Auction

2022 Empower! Lunch Picture Gallery

Written by Megan Kuneli on November 2, 2022. Posted in Fundraising Events, Photos.

Posted November 2, 2022

Photo Credit: Steve Kjelland Photography

Open House Date Change

Written by Megan Kuneli on October 19, 2022. Posted in What's New.

Published October 19, 2022

As you know, we are currently building out our new program space located at 1239 Willow Lake Boulevard in Vadnais Heights to be the new home for our life enrichment programs and activities. We had previously announced an open house for Wednesday, October 19. However, due to unforeseen challenges, we have decided to change the date of the open house to Wednesday, November 2.

All other details remain the same. Current clients, their families, house staff, and case mangers are all invited to attend. No RSVP is necessary!

We look forward to welcoming you into our new space, and apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change of date.

Merrick Open House Updated Details

Where:
1239 Willow Lake Blvd
Vadnais Heights, MN

When:
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
3:30 – 5:30 pm

Navigator Issue 47

Written by Megan Kuneli on September 27, 2022. Posted in Merrick Navigator, What's New.

Published September 27, 2022

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

Service Awards Bring Abounding Joy
We’ve Got Big News For You!
EMPOWER! Lunch Registration Underway
Online Auction Launches November 2
Get Ready to Give to the Max
and more!

Navigator Issue 47

Not subscribed to Navigator? Join our email list today.

Executive Director Celebrates DSPs

Written by Megan Kuneli on September 12, 2022. Posted in videos, What's New.

Published September 12, 2022

It’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week! DSPs are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities, and we could not do what we do without them. Moreover, to help us kick off the week, here’s a message from Merrick, Inc., Executive Director John Wayne Barker.

Lastly, be sure to follow Merrick on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrickInc/ to see how we’re celebrating our DSPs this week.

Vadnais Heights City Council Honors DSPs

Written by Megan Kuneli on September 7, 2022. Posted in What's New.

Published September 7, 2022

During last night’s city council meeting, Vadnais Heights Mayor Heidi Gunderson proclaimed the week of September 11-17, 2022, as Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. In attendance were Merrick DSPs Tess Bruhn, Dan Lind, Donna Tate, and Jenn Wold as well as Executive Director John Wayne Barker who gladly welcomed the city’s gesture of appreciation.

DSPs are essential to our work of empowering adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, they rarely receive the thanks they deserve. Hence, why DSP Recognition Week is so important and why we celebrate it each year. DSPs are the heart and soul of supports for people with disabilities. They are the primary providers of community-based long-term support services for thousands of individuals with disabilities in Minnesota. In other words, Merrick could not do what we do without them. Thus, they deserve our gratitude.

Starting Monday, September 12, follow Merrick on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MerrickInc/ to help us celebrate our DSPs.

For more ideas regarding how you can celebrate DSPs, visit https://www.ancor.org/2022-direct-support-professional-recognition-week.

Read the proclamation for yourself by clicking here.

Donna Tate, Tess Bruhn, Mayor Heidi Gunderson, and Jenn Wold pose with the proclamation inside city hall.

John Wayne Barker, Donna Tate, Jenn Wold, Dan Lind, and Tess Bruhn pose with the proclamation outside city hall.

2022 Charity Golf Scramble Picture Gallery

Written by Megan Kuneli on June 9, 2022. Posted in Photos.

Posted June 9, 2022

Photo Credit: Steve Kjelland Photography

08A Wallace & Versatile Vehicles w/clients

Report to the Community 2021

Written by Megan Kuneli on March 10, 2022. Posted in What's New.

Published March 10, 2022

Merrick, Inc.’s 2020-21 Report to the Community is now available! The Report to the Community provides readers with an inside look into Merrick, Inc., over the past year. Moreover, it showcases how your support positively impacts the lives of nearly 400 adults with disabilities served by Merrick. For those interested, the PDF version of the report may be downloaded here. If you prefer a hard copy of the report, feel free to drop by our main office in Vadnais Heights to pick one up. Alternatively, you may contact Megan at (651) 789-6207 or megank@merrickinc.org to have one sent to your home.

Report-to-the-Community-2021

2022 Policies & Procedures Revisions

Written by Megan Kuneli on February 25, 2022. Posted in Policy Updates.

Published February 25, 2022

Merrick implemented several policy and procedure changes that impact service delivery. These changes include the following:

In all policies and procedures, persons served are identified as “clients” rather than “individuals” or “people receiving services.” There were also many changes identifying staff persons as “employees” rather than “DSPs,” and we updated manager position titles.
An addition to the Admissions Policy regarding clients being put on a waiting list.
The Guiding Principles were updated with new service definitions due to the waiver reimagine project from DHS.
The Program Abuse Prevention Plans for both locations were updated to include a response for factors that reduce health and safety of clients such as a pandemic and also services no longer provided including Adult Day and Memory Care Services. Both plans also include updated demographics.

A PDF document of Merrick’s revised Policies and Procedures can be accessed by clicking the link below.

Policies & Procedures – 2022 Revisions

2022 Winter Medical Alerts

Written by Megan Kuneli on January 19, 2022. Posted in Policy Updates.

Published January 19, 2022

The Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD) has posted the 2022 Winter Medical Alerts. You may go to https://mn.gov/omhdd/documents/medical-alerts.jsp to view a letter from the Medical Review Coordinator as well as the Winter Alerts.

Author: Megan Kuneli