Services at MERIL
The CDS program lets adults with disabilities use Medicaid to hire someone – even a friend or relative – to help with cleaning, cooking, shopping, bathing, and more.
MERIL provides licensed nurses and trained caregivers to assist people with disabilities so they can live independently and safely in their homes.
We need caregivers! Caregivers make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities. No experience is necessary and the hours are flexible!
We offer free demonstrations of devices designed for people with low hearing, low vision, and other disabilities. You may qualify for free devices!
Nursing Home Transition
We can guide you through the process of transitioning from a nursing home (or residential facility) back into the community through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program.
IL Skills, Information & Referral
We can guide you as you learn Independent Living skills (budgeting, cooking, etc.) that will help you live independently. We also provide Information & Referral services to help you learn about all of the community resources available to you.
Accessibility
Is your home, business, or public space accessible to people with disabilities? We are here to offer advice about ADA compliance, emergency preparedness, and home modifications (installing ramps, etc.).
Advocacy & Peer Support
We educate the public about disability issues and encourage people with disabilities to advocate for their rights. We host the People First of Missouri self-advocacy group.
Resources in the Community
If you are looking for community resources, the best thing to do is contact us so that we can learn about your situation, ask you some questions, and direct you to the community resources you may find useful.
If you just want to browse some area resources, a good place to start is with the information we have collected here.
The Missouri Services Navigator is a great place to search for resources by county: https://mo.servicesnavigator.org.
The AFL-CIO also has an extensive list of area resources: http://helpmenow.org/resources/.
Below you will find information about the networking meetings we host for nonprofit and public service organizations.
If you are a representative from a nonprofit or public service organization and would like to be invited to our networking meetings, please contact us at meril@meril.org.
Here is a tentative schedule of our 2023 networking meetings:
Friday, April 21, 11:30 am (in person in Maryville)
Monday, May 15, 11:30 am (in person in St. Joseph)
Wednesday, June 7, 11:30 am (in person in Cameron)
Thursday, September 14, 11:30 am (in person in St. Joseph)
Tuesday, October 10, 11:30 am (in person in Maryville)
Wednesday, November 15, 11:30 am (in person in Cameron)