Prevocational Services/On-site Employment

Our Approach

We partner with local businesses to provide light assembly, packing, and document destruction work for clients at our on-site production facility. Additionally, Merrick has four off-site crews who pick-up plastic and blue wrap from local businesses and hospitals for recycling. Together, with our baling team, they have diverted millions of pounds of plastic from landfills.

These are great options for individuals who need ongoing support, desire consistent work, and want a safer environment. Additional benefits of working on-site include:

Build Work Stamina – Regular and consistent hands-on opportunities are valuable, as most clients learn best through doing, and many community positions are physical in nature.
Training and Assessment – Observing the client in a controlled setting that mirrors the general workforce allows us to better identify their work interests, skills, preferences, soft skill training needs, and any limitations.
Positive Work Atmosphere – By working on-site, clients have the opportunity to be valued employees, earn a paycheck, and interact with peers who share similar interests.

Service Options

Alternative Services
Merrick's Alternative Services (AS) is ideal for individuals seeking opportunities for both employment and leisure activities. We offer on-site packing and light assembly work that utilizes prevocational units, along with a structured life enrichment area where clients have the opportunity to learn life skills, complete arts and crafts, and enjoy leisure activities with their peers in a secured space. Additionally, there are weekly opportunities for horticulture, community inclusion, and music activities.

Staff to Client Ratios: 1:4
Program Capacity: 32
Program Focus: work/leisure
Available Job Tasks: assembly, packing
- Ideal Client Qualities
  
  Interested in working and participating in recreational/leisure activities
  Benefit from a smaller, quieter, and more secure environment
  Benefit from lower staffing ratios (1:4)
- Availability
  
  We are currently accepting applications for Alternative Services. Interested individuals may apply at www.merrickinc.org/admissions or schedule a tour.
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Enhanced Services
Merrick’s Enhanced Services (ES) is ideal for individuals seeking employment who need structure and support in the areas of behavior management, boundaries, or social interaction. Clients enrolled in ES benefit from an enhanced client to staff ratio and individualized strategies and schedules to promote optimum achievement of outcomes.

In addition to employment opportunities, ES offers weekly music, horticultural, and community inclusion activities.

Staff to Client Ratios: 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4
Program Capacity: 43 clients
Program Focus: work/leisure
Available Job Tasks: assembly, packing, baling, recycling pickup
- Ideal Client Qualities
  
  Interested in working and earning a paycheck
  
  Benefit from a smaller, quieter, and more secure environment or individual workroom
  
  Benefit from an enhanced staff to client ratio (1:1, 1:2, or 1:4)
- Space Configuration
  
  The main on-site area is dedicated to providing packing and light assembly work for clients. This secured area features two large open workspaces and one section with 11 individual workrooms. The open workspaces are designed for clients who thrive in a collaborative, open setting, while the individual workrooms offer privacy for clients who require a more focused environment.
- Plastic Recycling
  
  ES operates four off-site pickup crews for plastic and blue wrap. These crews spend 2-4 hours daily collecting plastic from local businesses and blue wrap from nearby hospitals to be recycled on-site by the baling team. The baling team includes four balers, eight clients, and two support staff. Together, these crews have successfully diverted millions of pounds of plastic from landfills.
  To learn more about Merrick's Plastic Recycling Services, visit www.merrickinc.org/plastic-recycling.
- Availability
  
  There are currently no openings. Individuals interested in receiving Enhanced Services may apply at www.merrickinc.org/admissions to join our waitlist or schedule a tour.
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Utility Services
Merrick’s Utility Services (US) is ideal for individuals seeking employment opportunities. This program serves both individuals who are not interested in community employment and prefer on-site work as well as those developing their skills and working towards community employment. Clients enrolled in US complete on-site packing and light assembly work that utilizes prevocational units.
Although work is the priority of this program, there are recreational/leisure activities offered weekly such as horticulture, community inclusion, music, and life skills activities.

Staff to Client Ratios: 1:8
Program Capacity: 100
Program Focus: work
Available Job Tasks: assembly, packing, document destruction
- Ideal Client Qualities
  
  Interested in working and earning a paycheck
  
  Interested in building skills needed for community employment
  
  Comfortable with being supported at a 1:8 ratio
- Document Destruction
  
  The document destruction crew shreds confidential documents and pull-tabs in a secured on-site work area. This crew consists of 5 clients and 1 support staff. They sort the materials, operate industrial shredders, and bale the shredded paper and pull-tabs.
  If you are interested in utilizing Merrick's Document Destruction Services, visit www.merrickinc.org/document-destruction.
- Availability
  
  We are currently accepting applications for Utility Services. Interested individuals may apply at www.merrickinc.org/admissions or schedule a tour.
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Eligibility

To determine eligiblity and view limitations for prevocational services, visit MNDHS Prevocational Services. Note that individuals who began receiving prevocational services on or after January 11, 2021, may only continue to receive these services for three years unless they experience certain circumstances.

Service Facts

Eligible Funding
BI, CADI, CAC, DD, ICF/DD, Private Pay

Age
21+ (If under 25, the prospective client must have completed Vocational Rehabilitation Services)

Admission Inquiries
Emily Garrett
(651) 789-6237
emilyg@merrickinc.org

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