Company History
Orion Associates specializes in management services for human services organizations. Orion Associates was founded in 1999 to manage the administrative functions and personnel of its related companies Meridian Services and Zenith Services. Meridian Services offers a broad range of services for people with developmental disabilities including In-Home Services, Supervised Living Services, and more. Zenith Services was also founded in 1999 as a non-profit corporation that develops vocational opportunities for those with developmental disabilities.
As Orion Associates began to grow, it gained a unique understanding for the potential of new service types being developed in Minnesota for those with disabilities and the elderly. Orion Associates was one of the first companies in Minnesota to provide Consumer Directed Community Supports services. In 2003, Orion Associates spun off a new company, Orion Intermediary Services Organization (ISO), to manage its growing CDCS business. Orion ISO has since become one of Minnesota’s largest fiscal agents offering Agency with Choice, Payroll Agent and Fiscal Conduit services to those with disabilities, the elderly and their families. Orion Associates continues to provide management services for Orion ISO.
In March, 2003, Orion Associates was awarded CARF Accreditation for its administration of Meridian Services’ Family Services (In-Home Services) and Community Living Services (Residential Services and SILS) programs and Zenith Services’ Personal and Social Services (Vocational Services) program. CARF accreditation is the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation outcome has demonstrated that its programs and services are of the highest quality and are measurable and accountable. Orion Associates has continued to renew its CARF accreditation every three years since then, with its most recent accreditation review in 2021.
Orion Associates continues to offer a full and expanding range of management services for its partner organizations and other human services organizations. In addition, both our public and custom Training Services continue to grow. Orion Associates is committed to providing the highest quality of management services for our clients.
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Orion Associates
Orion Associates is a management services company dedicated to providing our clients with services of the highest quality. Our goal is to achieve client satisfaction through professionalism, competency, efficiency, and courtesy.
Vision
Orion Associates is dedicated to providing management services of the highest quality, through innovative, supportive and ethical practices.
Mission
Orion Associates’ mission is to achieve that which is best for those whom we serve, our employees, and the community.
- We will be committed to client satisfaction, providing management services with professionalism, competency, efficiency, and courtesy.
- We will see broadly and progressively, yet will focus on organization and details. We will strive to earn the trust and respect of all whom we serve and to provide them with the best services possible.
- We will be a place where all employees can grow personally and professionally. We will be a company that understands the needs of our employees and their families, while providing an enriching place to work and fostering a team atmosphere.
- We will strive to be a community leader by maintaining high ethical standards, fostering cooperative relationships with other organizations, growing in our commitment and support of volunteerism and diversity.
- We will be a company that understands the needs of our employees and their families, while providing an enriching place to work and fostering a team atmosphere.
- We will strive to be a community leader by maintaining high ethical standards, fostering cooperative relationships with other organizations, growing in our commitment and support of volunteerism and diversity.
Code Ethics
Our Advisory Board, Officers, Administrators, and Directors will provide leadership and direction which reflects the mission, vision, and philosophical beliefs of the organization.
- Our consumers’ preferences and choices will determine the direction of their pursuits of meaningful life choices and desired outcomes.
- Our services will be provided with a person-centered approach and according to the unique interests and aptitudes of the individuals being served.
- Our services will be delivered in a manner which promotes the respect, dignity and rights of each individual.
- We will assist individuals to achieve independent and integrated community options that are meaningful and provide personal growth opportunities.
- Our services will facilitate the individuals’ ability to make informed decisions with regard to their choice of community living opportunities and will not be based on program convenience or availability.
- Our services will assist individuals to obtain necessary accommodations which promote their potential for successful community living.
- We will develop respectful partnerships with community members by exchanging education and resources that promote successful outcomes.
- Our services will respect each individual’s right to confidentiality and will be provided in accordance with data privacy regulations.
- Our services will be provided by trained and qualified staff utilizing the most current practices.
- Our marketing efforts will be conducted in a professional manner that is honest, image enhancing and delivered with integrity.
- Our financial planning and management will comply with best business practices and applicable legal requirements.
- Our staff will refrain from providing services which presents a potential conflict of interest and that interfere with the ethical standards of our organization.
- Our services will be provided to individuals without regard to race, age, religion, sex, disability, marital status, affectional preference, public assistance status, ex-offender status, or national origin.
Start Your Career
Join us in discovering your career path! Our employees join us because they are interested in careers in management services where they have the opportunity to actively be an integral part of services provided to individuals with disabilities. It is more than just a paycheck, it is the opportunity to form relationships, learn how to problem solve while managing person centered services. Our staff gain experience in the field that becomes invaluable when building on their careers or educational program. We offer initial training as well as ongoing training throughout the year to continue people’s knowledge of the field. In addition, Orion Associates offers internships in several areas of study. We are a family-owned, non-profit organization.