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Get to know Kinsey Fitzloff - A case manager for the Hennepin CADI team at Meridian Services. ⭐Where did you go to school?: Minnesota State University, Mankato – Double major in Social Work + Gender and Women Studies. ⭐What is a typical day like for you?: My day can vary greatly depending on what’s happening on my caseload. I may have a client meeting to review services, goals, and to “check-in”, ensuring that they are getting their needs met. When I’m not meeting with clients, I do a lot of “behind the scenes” work such as completing necessary paperwork related to the client’s services and supports. I also have team meetings and supervision that I attend every week. ⭐What do you like the most about your career?: Although Social Work can be very challenging at times, it is SO WORTH IT! My favorite thing is probably getting to know clients and watching the rapport grow as they feel more comfortable opening up to me and sharing their life with me. I also love seeing clients move into stable housing after months or years of being houseless. Read the full interview on Facebook!
From March 17th-19th, our Case Management department participated virtually in the 128th annual Training Conference and Expo through the Minnesota Social Service Association. The event gave our employees the opportunity to further their knowledge of the field as well as learn about the different training sessions that are available to them. Throughout the month of March, some of our management team returned to work in our corporate offices. We have continued to deep clean and sanitize our offices multiple times a day, and we continue to implement social distancing, temperature checks, and wearing face masks unless employees are alone in their own office. In celebration of Earth Day, our management employees had the opportunity to volunteer on Friday, April 23rd by adopting a local pond. As the weather becomes warmer, we are excited to engage in outdoor volunteer opportunities like this as social distancing can be conducted safely outside. The afternoon was spent picking up trash that had accumulated from this winter at Decola Pond in Golden Valley, MN.
Our corporate offices have gone through a few changes over the last year in an effort to keep everyone safe from the COVID-19 virus. Here are just a few of the steps we are taking! - Masks must be worn at all three of our corporate locations unless working alone in a private office. - A temperature and symptom checklist station has been added to the front entrances or the reception area. - Hand sanitizer and disinfecting trays can be found throughout each building. - Arrows have been placed throughout the hallways to encourage one-way traffic. - Signs can also be found around the offices encouraging social distancing.
We are thrilled to be doing a trunk or treat this 2020 year with persons we serve. We can't wait to see all the amazing costumes that come through!
As we continue to support persons with disabilities, we have increased the amount of staffing within our programs to provide support to persons while they are home from work and school. We are hiring over 40 FT and PT positions within the Twin Cities and in Buffalo and Maple Lake currently. We have day time hours along with afternoon/evenings. Positions come with an every other weekend. Check out our openings at meridiansvs.com or on Glassdoor - jobs.
This year we will be doing things a bit differently for Spirit week and Halloween. We are doing a virtual Spirit week dress up days and also a pet costume contest for our management employees. At the programs, homes may be carving pumpkins and decorating their homes.
Meridian Services has been following and implementing CDC and MN Department of Health's guidelines on safety. We have instituted plans to address the issues of social distancing, hygiene and social control, as well as protocols for cleanliness and policies to insure the people who are sick stay at home. Our plans encompass both our employees at the corporate offices and within programs but also persons served. The majority of our corporate management positions are working remote at home including case management, payroll, finance and human resources. We will continue to evaluate and update our COVID-19 preparedness plan as needed and it is posted on our website at meridiansvs.com and orionassoc.net. We have prepared the attached Employer Preparedness Plan for COVID-19 for our organization. In addition to sending it to you by email, we will be posting the Plan in the offices and on our websites.
We were thrilled to attend the 2019 Points of Light Conference in St. Paul last week. The Points of Light organization is one of the world's largest volunteer communities. Find out more about the organization at http://glassdoor.com/slink.htm?key=vMFfY.
Dr. Rebecca Thomley Named American Psychological Association Citizen Psychologist December 21, 2018 in News Honor recognizes psychologists who improve communities, benefit society WASHINGTON – Dr. Rebecca Thomley of Headwaters Relief Organization has been named a 2018 APA Citizen Psychologist by the American Psychological Association for her promotion of volunteerism. “Dr. Thomley exemplifies the definition of a Citizen Psychologist by using psychology to make her community a better place,” said 2018 APA President Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD. “Helping to improve lives one community at a time is how we can change the world.” Dr. Thomley has championed volunteerism among her organization’s employees and in the community, both by making community service an employment requirement and by creating a nonprofit, Headwaters Relief Organization, to help in the wake of national and international disasters. Headwaters draws volunteers nationally and internationally to respond to disasters including tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and more.
Meridian Services will be opening a new program in March of 2019. Our program, Arrowood, will be located in Plymouth, MN. We are thrilled about the opportunity to support four young men and be a part of their lives.
