Member Highlights
MACDDS Cutting Edge Award
take a look at what we have accomplished
The MACDDS Cutting Edge Award recognizes services and/or
programs that are unique, inclusive, person centered, respectful
and dignified. The award is presented at the annual conference to
agencies that provide services and/or programs that lead to more
interdependence or independence, promote a learning culture in
which creativity, innovation, and risk-taking are supported, and
where staff feel empowered to provide excellent supports.
County for the past five years.
• On January 1, 2017, Warren County assumed the provision of
targeted case management to Montgomery County residents who
previously were receiving TCM from Montgomery County, thus
eliminating the conflict for Montgomery County.
MERS/MISSOURI GOODWILL
For nearly a century, MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries has
provided individuals with barriers to employment the opportunity
to work and live independently in the community. Best known for
its 40 retail thrift stores spanning 54 counties, MERS Goodwill
operates a sheltered workshop that employs over 100 individuals.
Team members receive individualized training and earn wages in a
supported environment. MERS Goodwill also offers the Computer
Works program, in which individuals can gain additional training
with extensive use of precise hand tools, the ability to sort
unlabeled technical computer components, and increase their
use and understanding of software and hardware solutions for
cleaning computer hard drives. Through this program, workshop
employees earn higher wages and experience a greater sense
of independence.
• In partnership with Emmaus Homes- Marthasville, the Warren
County Board’s employees are involved on a daily basis in the
landmark transition of people (who have been living in group
homes at the Marthasville site) to supported living homes in local
neighborhoods.
• As a direct result of the transition from the Marthasville campus
site, there are now two new providers of supported living services
in Warren County.
• The Warren County Board approved funding for Warren County
high school seniors to participate in the Easter Seals Project Search
employment program beginning August, 2017.
• We have a Facebook page on which information for the general
public is posted; the page is managed by one of the service
coordinators.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
• As of January 1, 2017, WCSB40 completed its first full year of
being conflict free. It has been a year of transition and has proven
to be rewarding for individuals employed by the SB40 board as
well as those who are employed by the not for profit agency which
previously shared staff with the SB40.
• During 2016 WCSB40 partnered with Kelly Sexton, a young
lady working on her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She served
a 9 month internship with us. During this time she worked
with individuals, providers, case managers, and community
organizations and business to build competitive, integrated,
employment capacity for individuals with developmental
disabilities in Washington County Missouri.
WEBSTER COUNTY
• We changed our name and bylaws to become WC Partners.
• We obtained our own TCM contract through DMH for Webster
county.
• We began doing initial intakes to assist families in obtaining
eligibility determination through DMH. Our local regional office
still completes the assessment and determines eligibility. However,
we are able to meet with families and gather initial documentation,
data and medical collateral to assist them.
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RED VEST MOMENT
We were able to have an awesome Red Vest moment
where Dylan earned his Red Vest after his training!
Dylan shared his story of his car accident that he had
that caused him to have a brain injury. Dylan is with
us today to share his story and work had to help our
customers! Way to go Dylan!
Pictured with Dylan is Camry, one of his helpers from
the Center for Human Services!
-Brad Neperud, Store Manager
-Lowe’s #1067
-Sedalia MO
GOODWILL
INDUSTRIES
INTERNATIONAL
INCORPORATED
NEXTSTEP FOR LIFE, INC.
Recognized by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch as one of the Top
Workplaces in 2013, 2014 and 2015, NextStep for Life provides
a variety of services that assist individuals with disabilities to
live fulfilled lives. NextStep for Life’s vision is that individuals
with disabilities are valued and fully included in the community.
NextStep for Life achieves this mission through supportive
programs within five service areas: Community Supports,
Employment, Family Supports, Leisure and Residential. NextStep
for Life works with individuals and their families to meet their
needs by coordinating services that provide access to educational,
employment, housing, and socialization opportunities. NextStep’s
programs and services promote independence by offering freedom
to make choices in a supportive, encouraging environment.
NextStep for Life is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation
of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international, independent,
non-profit accreditor of human service providers.
NEXT STEPS
FOR LIFE
UMSL SUCCEED
Dr. Deborah Baldini, Associate Dean for UMSL’s College of Arts
and Science, and the University of Missouri – St. Louis developed
SUCCEED, a post-secondary program for students with intellectual
and developmental disabilities ages 18 through 25 years. Dr.
Baldini, a parent of an individual with an intellectual disability,
proposed the program because she recognized that individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities need opportunities to
pursue a college experience with their peers and create c ompetitive
career paths for themselves. SUCCEED students live on campus,
engage in classes that promote their individual strengths,
participate in student life and experience individualized internship
opportunities wwith local employers. Successful completion of the
two-year residential program results in a Chancellor’s Certificate.
More importantly, SUCCEED graduates gain independent living
skills, academic enrichment, career development and counseling,
and field placements.
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UMSL
SUCCEED
PROGRAM