MERAKEY ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL

MERAKEY ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL (MERAKEY AVS) PROVIDES COMPASSIONATE, PERSON CENTERED SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD). WE OPERATE WITH A COMMITMENT TO SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND OPPORTUNITY DELIVERING RESIDENTIAL SUPPORTS, THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 600 ADULTS ACROSS NINE PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES.WHO WE SERVEMERAKEY AVS SUPPORTS ADULTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF NEEDS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE OR PROFOUND IDD, MULTIPLE PHYSICAL DISABILITIES, AND COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE ALSO REQUIRE SUPPORTS FOR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, OR BEHAVIORAL NEEDS. EACH PERSON RECEIVES AN INDIVIDUALIZED, PERSON CENTERED PLAN OF CARE DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE INDEPENDENCE AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE.SERVICES INCLUDE:- PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, AND COMMUNICATION THERAPIES- VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS- SENSORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING, MEMORY CARE, AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY HOMES- CAMPUS LIVING, APARTMENTS, COMMUNITY LIVING HOMES, AND LIFESHARING ARRANGEMENTSSERVICE AREAS: ALLEGHENY, BEAVER, BUCKS, BUTLER, DAUPHIN, LEBANON, MERCER, MONTGOMERY, AND PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES.OUR MISSION, VISION, AND VALUESOUR PURPOSE: PUTTING OUR HEART AND SOUL INTO EXCEPTIONAL CARE.OUR VISION: TO BE A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROVIDER OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.CORE VALUES: COMPASSION, DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY, SAFETY, TRUST, QUALITYMERAKEY CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE THROUGH ALL AREAS OF OPERATIONS INCLUDING POLICIES, SCREENING, HIRING, TRAINING, SUPERVISION AND MONITORING, ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, AND CONSUMER PARTICIPATION THROUGH OUR PRAESIDIUM ACCREDITATION. PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICES AND A ZERO-TOLERANCE ENVIRONMENT FOR ABUSE OF ANY KIND FOR THOSE WITHIN OUR CARE IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY. FY25 PRIORITIES AND OPERATIONAL FOCUSSTRENGTHENING FRONTLINE LEADERSHIP BY IMPLEMENTING JOB ARCHITECTURE AND CREATING PROGRAM MANAGER ROLES TO PROVIDE SUPERVISORY SUPPORT, IMPROVE TRAINING FOR PROGRAM LEADS, AND STRENGTHEN DAYTODAY OPERATIONS. PROGRAM MANAGERS CARRY DEFINED CASELOADS AND CLEAR DELIVERABLES AND WILL BE SUPPORTED WITH IMMERSIVE, PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT BEYOND STANDARD ONLINE MODULES.STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT: TARGETED HIRING STRATEGIES, BLOCK INTERVIEWS, JOB FAIRS, AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH STAFFING AGENCIES REMAIN CENTRAL TO REDUCING VACANCIES AND STABILIZING CARE. NOTABLY, VERREE ROAD REDUCED ITS DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL (DSP) VACANCY RATE FROM 52% TO 25.6% WITHIN THREE MONTHS FOLLOWING FOCUSED RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.CARE COORDINATION AND TELEHEALTH: EXPANDED TELEHEALTH ACCESS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CARE CENTER ENABLE NURSING TRIAGE, REDUCE UNNECESSARY EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS, AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS ACROSS OUR CAMPUSES.QUALITY AND COMPLIANCE: WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR LICENSURE AND INSPECTION ACTIVITY CLOSELY, SUBMIT CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS WHEN REQUIRED, AND EMPHASIZE TIMELY INCIDENT REPORTING AND CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, RECREATION, AND THERAPEUTIC PARTNERSHIPSMERAKEY AVS PRIORITIZES MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND THERAPEUTIC ENRICHMENT. THROUGH MEMBERSHIPS, PARTNERSHIPS, AND FUNDED PROGRAMS, INDIVIDUALS ACCESS MUSEUMS, ZOOS, CONSERVATORIES, AND CULTURAL VENUES. COMMUNITY OUTINGS AND PROGRAM CENTER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:- MUSEUM, ZOO, AND AQUARIUM VISITS; CONCERTS AND CULTURAL EVENTS- SEASONAL OUTINGS: HAYRIDES, APPLE PICKING, HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS- RECREATIONAL TRIPS: TOPGOLF, BOWLING, LOCAL PARKS, AND FESTIVALS- THERAPEUTIC PARTNERSHIPS: PET THERAPY, HORTICULTURAL THERAPY, AND SENSORY PROGRAMMING- VOLUNTEER AND CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT: FACILITY REFRESH PROJECTS AND HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVESTHESE OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORT SOCIAL CONNECTION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS SUPPORT CAPITAL PROJECTS, PROGRAM EXPANSION, ACTIVITY FUNDS, AND WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS. PRIORITIES INCLUDE DONOR SEGMENTATION, TARGETED OUTREACH TO FAMILY MEMBERS AND LAPSED DONORS, CORPORATE COLLABORATION WITH THE MERAKEY FOUNDATION, AND PERSONALIZED STEWARDSHIP.NOTABLE FY25 GIFTS AND GRANTS HAVE SUPPORTED CAMPUS PROJECTS, ACTIVITY FUNDS, AND PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS. THE FRIENDS OF MERAKEY AVS GOLF OPEN REMAINS A SIGNATURE EVENT AND A MAJOR SOURCE OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT.WORKFORCE, RECOGNITION, AND CULTUREEMPLOYEE INVESTMENT: WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND BENEFITS, FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS, AND LEARNING PLATFORMS TO SUPPORT RETENTION AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH. FY25 EMPHASIZES IMMERSIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR PROGRAM MANAGERS AND FRONTLINE SUPERVISORS.RECOGNITION PROGRAMS: THE STEVEN'S FUND AND OTHER AWARDS HONOR OUTSTANDING DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS. GRANTS AND TARGETED INVESTMENTS RECOGNIZE LONG TENURED STAFF AND FRONTLINE TEAMS.CULTURE INITIATIVES: OFFSITE WORKSHOPS, A PASSION AMBASSADOR PROGRAM, AND EMPLOYEELED ACTIVITIES REINFORCE TRUST, COMPASSION, AND SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE WORKFORCE.FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTMERAKEY AVS INVESTS IN FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS THAT PROMOTE SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE, AND ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES. RECONFIGURING LIVING SPACES, CREATING OPEN FLOOR PLANS, AND FUNDING RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS (SENSORY GARDENS, TRIPS, AND CAMPUS UPGRADES) ARE CENTRAL TO IMPROVING DAILY LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE WE SUPPORT.SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1960 AND ITS AFFILIATION WITH MERAKEY IN 2008, MERAKEY AVS HAS REMAINED DEDICATED TO PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE CARE BY:- STRENGTHENING FRONTLINE LEADERSHIP AND SUPERVISORY CAPACITY- EXPANDING TELEHEALTH AND CARE COORDINATION TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES- GROWING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND MEANINGFUL PROGRAMMING- INVESTING IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND RECOGNITION- SUSTAINING FUNDRAISING AND DONOR ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND FACILITIESMERAKEY AVS IS COMMITTED TO HELPING THE PEOPLE WE SUPPORT LIVE WITH PURPOSE AND DIGNITY, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES, CHOICES, AND THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF CARE.