Happy 20th Year Anniversary!!!

As we reflect on the past 20 years of dedicated services to people with developmental disabilities that we have provided, we are reminded that there is so much more work to do. Over the past 20 years, Community Options, Inc. (COI) has paved the way and pioneered community housing options and non-traditional day programming supports to people with the most severe developmental disabilities across the country. We have advocated on the behalf of people who desired a better quality of life out of segregated and unlawful institutional settings. We have advocated with and on the behalf of families as they navigate their way through the maze of state governmental resources. We have designed and implemented the most sophisticated day programming sites through an entrepreneurial business model that has allowed thousands to gain a portable and competitive skill set. It is important for us to reflect on the success of our cause and what we have been able to accomplish over the past 20 years. It is equally important to strategize, harmonize and get in gear for what is to come in the next 20 years throughout the disability field.



COI has gone above and beyond all expectations knowing that people with developmental disabilities deserve to live a humane, inclusive, and prosperous life. COI provides techniques and strategies to assist people with developmental disabilities in reaching their full potential. Our unique and effective approach is driven by a person's ability rather than symptom or label. COI's methodology appreciates every person for his or her uniqueness and totality as an individual. Our programs celebrate the person to further their productivity, empowerment and total inclusion into all aspects of society.




Innovative housing models have been implemented and will continue for adults and children with developmental disabilities. Due to our outstanding reputation and vision, COI has opened more adult homes serving people coming out of state institutions and with more of this development happening faster and faster, we will have the opportunity to not only design new housing models based on a persons choice, but we will be able slowly, but surely, close state institutions down. Every time we are able to depart a person from an institution, the closer it becomes to being closed.



You walk into a local gift store or flower shop to pick up that cool and unique last minute gift or bouquet of flowers for a birthday party you have to attend. What you probably did not know when you were shopping in that store, perusing the aisles or even checking out is that you were just witness to a non-traditional day programming site for people with developmental disabilities. Community Options develops real-life employment training opportunities to everyone we support. We do not believe in sheltered workshop settings where an individual sits and does piece work all the live long day. Our non-traditional day programming sites are the most innovative, inclusive and visionary out of anything else that is being offered as a day programming option for people with developmental disabilities in the entire country. We adopt an entrepreneurial business model for all of our stores that embraces a philosophy of choice, independence and the building of a foundational skill set that is completely portable.




Let’s talk about going Green. For a nonprofit organization to become completely paperless and utilize completely organic cleaning chemicals in all of its group homes, business’, and offices across 23 offices around the country is a vast undertaking. We understand the responsibility we have to the environment and the people we are supporting and do not take this responsibility lightly. To maintain a business climate that is conducive to the people we are supporting and our staff, our organization became completely paperless in 2007. All of our systems for payroll, human resource and finance function are electronic. These systems have made our operations more efficient and organizationally healthy. In 2008, COI started utilizing Greening the Cleaning products offered by the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology. All of the products each group home, business and office utilize are from the center and have helped us to remove hazardous cleaning supplies and replace them with healthier supplies that really do a great job. Operating in a manner that allows our organization to maintain optimal health is of upmost importance to us.




Community Options believes that a principle purpose is the value of families and the individual advocacy of people with developmental disabilities. We will strive to meet the demands of the 21st century consumer where choice of providers based on quality, management and philosophy is of primary importance. Community Options understands that values dictate budget and that budget should never dictate values. Community Options strives for the most individual supports possible and will be at the table with local, state and federal decision makers to ensure that this is of paramount importance. Community Options strives for total inclusion in schools, in neighborhoods and at the work place. We advocate that everyone brings an added value to society.




With 45,000 people with developmental disabilities still living in institutions across the United States, this staggering number reminds us of the work that still needs to be done. We are looking toward the next 20 years where every person with a developmental disability can live a life that is free from unlawful segregation, free to choose how they want to spend their days, and free to live the life they were meant to live. Community Options is devoted to continuing on this journey and wholly dedicated to converting our ideas into outward success to ensure optimal living for people with developmental disabilities - our friends, neighbors, sisters, brothers, colleagues, sons and daughters. Will you join us?