Meridian Services, Incorporated is a company dedicated to providing services of the highest quality to people, including those with developmental disabilities. Marya Hage founded Meridian Services in 1980, in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, as one of the first licensed providers of Semi-Independent Living Skills (SILS) in the State of Minnesota. In 1984, the company began to provide Case Management services. The State initiated community-based Waivered Services, expanding the choices available for people with developmental disabilities regarding their living environments and service providers, and Meridian Services responded in 1988, by opening the first of its Supervised Living Services (SLS) programs. Subsequently, the company began to offer In-Home Services (IHS), providing the opportunity for people to continue to live at home with their families.

One of the most significant developments in Meridian Services’ history was its expansion into the Twin Cities in 1993, during which the company opened a number Supervised Living Services (SLS) homes, as well as offered In-Home Services (IHS) and Case Management Services in the Metropolitan area. In 1999, Meridian Services pursued the opportunity to develop vocational services for people with developmental disabilities. It did so by creating Zenith Services, Incorporated, as a separate, non-profit corporation. In addition, the organization decided to move its administrative functions and personnel into a separate management services company, which was called Orion Associates.

Meridian Services was awarded CARF Accreditation in March 2003 for its Family Services (In-Home Services) and Community Living Services (Residential Services and SILS) programs. Meridian Services’ three year accreditation represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the standards established by CARF, the international accrediting commission. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation outcome has demonstrated that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable and accountable.

Meridian Services has grown significantly over the years, in terms of the number of programs operated, people employed, and consumers served. It is now a provider of a wide range of services to both children and adults in counties throughout the State of Minnesota. In addition to Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS), Case Management services, Supervised Living Services (SLS) services, and In-Home Services (IHS), the company now provides Independent Living Services (ILS), Eidelweiss Respite Services, Club Ventures Respite Services, Social Recreation services, Conservatorship and Guardianship services, Support Coordination services, and Service Coordination services.

Meridian Services continues to explore new opportunities for service and, as an organization, we look forward to the future with great anticipation.