Local Texan to Chair National Family Group Representing Children with Disabilities

Community Options is the recipient of a $1 million dollar grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, an arm of the Administration for Children and Families. Community Options, Inc. will use its existing 26 offices in nine states to support families of children with disabilities to evaluate, promote and provide national leadership training through a Family Web 2.0 project. Families will teach each other how to evaluate and operate training programs and how to engage in positive policy development to ensure ongoing support services.

Community Options has recently selected a National Family Chairperson to head the family groups for the grant that will be assembled across the country. Candy Sheehan is a wife and mother who has been given incredible opportunities and challenges in her life. She is a fifth generation Texan and has lived in Coppell 26 years with her husband Tom. They have two children Zac, 24 years old, born with developmental disabilities, and Alissa, now a junior at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Zac now lives happily in a home owned by Community Options and volunteers at Presbyterian Hospital.

After the birth of her son Candy knew knowledge meant empowerment. She became an advocate not only for her son but for all children with special needs. Candy was accepted into the first class of Partners in Policymaking in Texas and was previously the Mayor of Coppell. Candy helped write and pass legislation at the state and federal level as well as became a nationally recognized leader as a parent advocate.

“This grant of national significance is the culmination of our team’s relentless efforts to improve the lives of children with disabilities and to empower families.” Said, Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “Candy is the best person to chair our National Family Group for this grant as she has the knowledge and passion to mobilize families to help them gain access to the resources that they need to help their children be successful,” added, Stack.