Q. What is Achieve?
A. Achieve is a State of Minnesota licensed
Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) program that provides
employment and training to adults with developmental disabilities.
Q. Where is Achieve Located?
A. The main office for Achieve is located at
the Blaine Human Service Center of Anoka County in Blaine, MN.
Q. What Programs and
Services Does Achieve Offer?
A. Achieve offers supportive employment,
transportation, personal and social support, occupational therapy, nursing care, behavioral analysis and
individualized training.
Q. What is the Admission
Policy for Achieve?
A. The requirements for admission to Achieve are:
the applicant must be 18 years of age or older, have a
diagnosis of mental retardation or a relation condition, be eligible
to receive training and habilitation services according to Minnesota
Statute 245B, is not the financial responsibility of another agency
(such as an educational or rehabilitation agency), and is receiving services from an Anoka County social
worker or services have been approved by Anoka County (if the person
is the financial responsibility of another county).
Q. How Many Individuals Does Achieve Serve?
A. On average, there are 130 participants in
the Achieve program.
As part of their program services, more than half of them work in
the community.
Q. How Many Staff Support
the Programs and Services of Achieve?
A.
Achieve averages 45 full-time staff.
Achieve complies with the staff-to-participant ratios required for
serving persons with disabilities. For example, some services
require supervision at a ratio of one staff to eight participants;
other services require a ratio of one staff to three participants.
Q. What is Production
Work?
A. In our production room, participants
assemble, package and prepare products for community businesses.
Q. Can Participants Earn
a Salary by Working in the Community?
A. Yes. Community Based Services are jobs in
which participants, with assistance from Achieve staff, are employed
by a business in the community.
Q. How Many Achieve Participants Are Involved In Community Based Services?
A. Currently 60 percent of our participants
work at community based employment in area businesses.
Q. What Businesses Work
with Achieve?
A.
Achieve is proud to have these local
businesses as employers of its participants: Holiday Station Stores
(Coon Rapids, Ham Lake, and Blaine), McDonalds (Blaine, Coon Rapids
- two stores), Anoka County
Government Center (13 sites), Blaine Human Service Center, Columbia
Heights Neighborhood Center, ABRA Auto Body (Fridley) and
AdGraphics.
Q. How can you start with Achieve?
A. By filling out an application for
admission. In addition, we recommend that the applicant and family
arrange for a tour so they know what is available through our
program. To set up a tour, call Achieve.
Q. Is Transportation
Available?
A. Achieve transports
over 100 clients
daily to and from the center and also to work. The agency uses
three wheelchair lift vehicles and three fifteen-passenger vans to
transport. Achieve employs six drivers and two bus attendants
full-time. People who are more independent use public transportation
such as the Anoka County Traveler or MTC bus. We also have
people who choose to get to work by other means, such as driving
themselves or being driven by family members.
Q. Who Pays for Services
at Achieve?
A. For residents in family homes or foster
care who do not have a MR/RC Waiver (mentally retarded/related
condition waiver), there is no cost for participation. For
others, Medical Assistance (Medicaid) is billed at the general
program rate on their behalf. Additional programs, like
physical and speech therapy, are typically billed to medical
insurance or Medical Assistance - after prior authorization from a
physician.
Q. How Do I Get More
Information About Achieve?
A. Call the Achieve office.
Achieve office
telephons are answered from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday –
Friday. During weekends, or during non-office hours, please
leave a message and someone will get back to you.
