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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.
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.
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