Harry Meyering Center, Inc.
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Supportive Living Services

Supportive Living Services began with our first home in the community in 1983.  Individuals involved in the SLS program live with two or three roommates in homes scattered throughout the Mankato area.  Services are designed to meet the individual’s unique needs and desires.  All homes have 24-hour supervision

The focus of services is the support necessary for people to be successful in the community.  We are proud of the self-directed lives that people lead with the support of the program.  Individualized and team directed supports may include supervision, counseling and training in areas like money management, community access, relationships, leisure opportunities, home management, etc. Consumers are given only the help they need to be successful and to realize their dreams. 

The SLS program prides itself with having beautiful homes, 24/7 emergency on-call for staff and consumers, a vehicle for each home, and outstanding, committed staff.  Nursing services are provided based on individual need and county support.

For more information on this program contact
Joey Freyberg
Program Director
jfreyberg@harrymeyeringcenter.org

(507) 625-7392

To make a referral, complete an on-screen referral form (pdf).

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.   What makes HMC different from other provider organizations? 

2.   What is HMC’s system for quality assurance and how are services monitored? 

3.   What is Harry Meyering Center’s philosophy?

4.   How does the agency encourage and support people to be active with self-advocacy groups? 

5.      Who serves on the board of directors? 

6.   What are the results of the SLS program’s most recent licensing survey? 

7.   Is HMC connected to other programs that your family member or friend might need such as day support or work programs?  How are they connected?

8.   What and how does HMC routinely communicate with families? 

9.   How are staff screened? 

10. What training does HMC offer staff? 

11. How are direct service staff supervised? 

12. How can families and consumers reach different staff at all levels in an emergency outside office hours? 

13. How are services individualized to meet individualized needs? 

14. What recreational and social activities do people participate in?  What happens when individuals choose not to participate? 

15. What kind of transportation is available during the week?  On weekends? 

16. How are funds handled and by whom? 

17. Are meetings held when I can attend, after work hours or weekends? 

18. What resources are available to pay for services? 

19. How does HMC ensure the continuation of contact with family and friends?

 Frequently Asked Questions:

1.   What makes HMC different from other provider organizations?

The Harry Meyering Center was established by the local ARC and parents of children with mental retardation.  Parents involved with HMC’s development sought to provide their adult children with a residential alternative to a state institution.  HMC is a not-for-profit organization serving the Mankato area since 1973. 

HMC provides the people they serve and their families with services that encourage dreams, focus on independence, foster community connections, help people cope with life-changing events and offer special attention to safety, health needs and security. 

The SLS program offers individuals a chance to share a home with up to three other individuals and to receive services which are designed to meet the unique needs and desires of the people living there. All homes have the potential for 24-hour staff supervision, a consulting nurse, emergency on-call for staff and consumers, and a vehicle. 

2.   What is HMC’s system for quality assurance and how are services monitored?

SLS has numerous processes in place to audit the quality of the service.  First, there is the team of concerned people around each consumer.  This team includes the consumer, the legal representative, the case manager, interested family members, day program staff, and HMC staff.  The team monitors the programmatic side of the service as well as consumer satisfaction.  Program review and financial audits are completed monthly. Nursing audits are completed on a quarterly basis.  Periodic health and safety reviews are made to all properties. Consumer and Stakeholder Satisfaction Surveys are completed bi-annually. 

3.   What is Harry Meyering Center’s philosophy?

Harry Meyering Center has its philosophy based in the 14 values of the agency which guide the services, interactions, and supports of the individuals served. These values include an emotionally and physically safe environment, respectful communication, choice, and a home that reflects the interests, routines, and personalities of those living there.  (Click here to see a complete list of HMC Values.)

4.   How does the agency encourage and support people to be active with self-advocacy groups?

Individuals served are encouraged to belong to the local “People First” chapter and "Aktion Theater.”  Staff support this participation at the level necessary for each individual to be successful. 

5.      Who serves on the board of directors?

The Board of Directors is a policy making board and does not direct day-to-day operations. Careful attention is paid to board composition. Three (3) of 10 current board members represent family members served by HMC. 

6.   What are the results of the SLS program’s most recent licensing survey?

The SLS is dually licensed by the State Department of Human Services (DHS).  One license deals with programming, health and safety, staff training, and policies and procedures.  The other license governs the actual site.  Each site is surveyed every 2 years by a Blue Earth County Adult Foster Care licensor and every 2 years by the City of Mankato.  Results of these reviews can be obtained by calling the SLS Program Director. 

7.   Is HMC connected to other programs that your family member or friend might need such as day support or work programs?  How are they connected?

People served by HMC enjoy work and day services offered by MRCI, Valley Enterprises, Lifeworks and several retirement options.  Providers that offer a wide variety of leisure activities are also resources for people served by HMC. 

8.   What and how does HMC routinely communicate with families?

With guardian permission, family members receive copies of progress documents.  Families are encouraged to call the house coordinator with questions and concerns.  Individuals served have no restrictions on phone use or visitors unless it becomes a problem, in which case, the team will help develop a plan to minimize or eliminate the problem. 

9.   How are staff screened?

When hiring staff, we look for individuals who are compassionate, enthusiastic and motivated. A series of interviews take place, generally including one at the house so that individuals served can voice an opinion.  Before a person is hired, they must provide two references, undergo a background check and pass a drug test.  Proof of a good driving record is also required. 

10. What training does HMC offer staff?

HMC staff must complete a series of orientation classes and in-services.  Such training includes the vulnerable adults rule, HMC policies and procedures, OSHA, health and safety issues, HIPAA, CPR and first aid.  Staff also receive training specifically related to the individuals with whom they will be working.   Annually thereafter, staff complete 20 or more hours of training.  The number of hours worked determines the number of hours of in-services required.  

11. How are direct service staff supervised?

SLS has a Program Director and three Assistant Directors who serve as QMRPs (Qualified Mental Retardation Professionals) and who are assigned to specific houses.  The house coordinator is supervised by the Assistant Directors.  The coordinator supervises all DSPs (direct support professionals) that work in the house. 

12. How can families and consumers reach different staff at all levels in an emergency outside office hours?

Should an emergency arise, all SLS houses have cell phones that staff carry for easy access to consumers and for consumers to contact staff. There is also a 24 hour on-call system in each of the three HMC programs. 

13. How are services individualized to meet individualized needs?

Development of structured programs and daily routines are based on formal assessment, consumer needs, likes, dislikes and personal goals.  Every effort is made to encourage choices and control to the consumer, when it is safe and healthy to do so. 

Programmatic decisions are made by the consumer and his/her team.  Individual Program Plans are developed and implemented to train or increase skill levels.  Procedures are in place to maintain skills.  Outcomes are developed and implemented based entirely on the desires of the consumer. 

14. What recreational and social activities do people participate in?  What happens when individuals choose not to participate?

Community recreational and social activities are at the discretion of each individual served.   

HMC employs an Activities Coordinator who plans and provides over 15 activities a month.  Activities include:  game night, card making, scrap booking, movie night, craft club, exercise classes, art opportunities, and live music performances.  Activities are open to all individuals served by HMC and are free.  Staff provide information, encouragement and support when necessary.  Individuals then decide to participate or not among many choices. 

15. What kind of transportation is available during the week?  On weekends?

Each SLS house has a van that is used for transporting individuals in that home. 

16. How are funds handled and by whom?

The house coordinator is responsible for handling and monitoring the funds, giving as much control to the consumer as safe to do.   Individual receipts from each purchase are filed with the statement.  The individual and the house coordinator balance the checkbook and reconcile with the statement monthly.  The team decides the petty cash amount and the Risk Management Plan states the money procedures for each individual served.  Each checkbook and statement is then audited monthly by the QMRP. 

17. Are meetings held when I can attend, after work hours or weekends?

Meetings can be held when as many members as possible are available.  At a minimum the team meeting must include the consumer, the legal representative and the county case manager. 

18. What resources are available to pay for services?

Room and Board costs are paid with combinations of the consumer’s Social Security money, Group Residential Housing, and the consumer’s wages.  Program costs are paid through the MR/RC waiver, the CADI waiver, or the TBI waiver.  The county case manager is the lead person on funding matters. 

19. How does HMC ensure the continuation of contact with family and friends?

A main focus is for individuals to maintain connections. Staff encourage and assist with letter writing, phone calls and keeping track of family birthdays and special events. Individuals are always encouraged to invite friends to activities or events rather than attending alone.

To learn more about our other programs, click here:

  SILS ICF
   
 
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  Harry Meyering Center, Inc.
  Business office location: 109 Homestead Road, Mankato, MN  56001
  Contact webmaster at ballen@harrymeyeringcenter.org
  Last updated: 09/07/2010