Congratulations on One Year of Service!

One of Community Options most important assets are our dedicated employees. We have very strong professional employees on the front lines and all the way to the board room. This is a reason why our organization has been so successful and it is our pleasure to recognize our great employees on their annual anniversary's!

Today, we congratulate, Joanne Asta, Assistant Executive Director for Ocean and Monmouth Counties. Here is what her supervisor, Diane D'Orazio had to say about Joanne:

"Joanne Asta has been providing oversight to our Northern Ocean County and Monmouth county homes for one year as well as providing support and supervision to the managers of those houses. She has acclimated well to the position and has become an important part of our administrative team. Joanne is a true team player, is easy to work with, and truly has the mission of the agency at heart."

Keep up the great work, Joanne!!!!!

Community Options, Inc. Receives Support from CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

Donation to Community Options, Inc. is part of CVS Caremark Charitable Trust’s $3.3 million in 72 grants supporting causes including children with disabilities and those who are uninsured

Community Options, Inc. announced today that it has received a $25,000 grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation, whose mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. Community Options, Inc. was one of 72 organizations selected from a pool of 660 applicants to receive an individual or multi-year grant for 2010.

Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities since 1989. The funds awarded through the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust will be used to fund their School to Employment Program (STEP) for youth with disabilities.“

The School to Employment Program is revolutionizing the way in which youth with disabilities are transitioning from school to work,” says Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “We are very grateful that the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust had the vision to fund the STEP as the skills acquired are vital for setting a strong foundation for being an adult in the workforce,” he added.“

In today’s challenging economy, it’s more important than ever to support organizations that truly make a difference in the lives of children and families,” said Eileen Howard Dunn, Vice President, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust. “The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust is pleased to recognize Community Options, Inc. for truly making an impact in the communities we serve through their School to Employment Program (STEP) and we look forward to working with them in the year ahead.”

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust’s grant to Community Options, Inc. is part of $3.3 million in grants awarded to more than 70 nonprofit organizations across the country in 2010. A number of these grants align with CVS Caremark All Kids Can, the company’s signature philanthropic program focused on supporting children with disabilities by raising awareness about inclusion, creating greater opportunities for physical activity and play, and providing access to medical rehabilitation and related services.

Other CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grants provide support for medical services for the uninsured, grants to pharmacy schools, scholarships for the children of CVS Caremark colleagues and funding for community organizations for which CVS Caremark colleagues act as volunteers.

About Community Options, Inc.

Since 1989, Community Options has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities. Community Options operates in 37 cities across 10 states supporting thousands of people with disabilities and their families with the help of over 2,500 employees. For more information, please visit www.comop.org.

About the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, Inc. is a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS). CVS Caremark is the largest provider of prescriptions and related health care services in the nation. The Trust's mission is to provide funding for health care, education and community involvement initiatives in CVS Caremark communities. General information about CVS Caremark is available through the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at http://investor.cvs.com, or through the Web site's press room at www.cvs.com/pressroom.

Governor Christie Town Hall Meeting - Hillsborough

Today, at the municipal building in Hillsborough, NJ, Governor Christie conducted another town hall meeting to engage with the public. I was greeted with some pretty long lines as evidenced by this picture.



The line went fast as the doors opened and we were all seated. It was exciting to be there and the Governor had not even arrived yet. I think at these types of functions you have your typical crowds. The folks that have a vested interest in being there and who want to engage the Governor and then you have the folks that just want to be disrespectful. I was fortunate to sit right in front of one of the disrespectful attendees who happened to bring his toddler child with him. Go figure.

And then it started.



Governor Christie came out with First Lady, Mary Pat Christie and started to settle in. As he did, you could feel the energy in the room settle as well. Governor Christie has a great sense of humor and made a great introduction touching on collective bargaining, pension and health benefits. There was applause from the audience at the appropriate times and Christie gracefully made his way to the question and answer part of the town hall.

He answered tough questions from the audience. Questions relative to funding for women's health care services, cost of living adjustments, sending his children to private school as opposed to public schools, small business ownership and casino development.

My favorite line of the town hall was when he said, "Every student that steps into a classroom in New Jersey is my responsibility." I like that he makes districts in places like Newark and Camden his business where he did not have a plethora of constituent support. As he said "I think 25 people voted for me in Newark and 17 in Camden." It doesn't matter though, he will continue to support those schools and children because as he said, "I don't want future Governor's to be sitting in classrooms that are failing."



Overall, a very impressive town hall held by Governor Christie and I look forward to attending more of them in the future!