Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer Visits Community Options

March 07, 2019 | Press Release.pdf

Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer Visits Community Options

DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer (center) with Nancy Ward, Ida Bormentar, Svetlana Repic-Qira, and Andrew Park of Community Options to discuss residential services for children with disabilities.

PRINCETON, NJ – Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer visited a home operated by Community Options in Hamilton that provides services to children with disabilities on February 27, 2019.

Commissioner Beyer, who leads the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, spoke about the importance of partnerships with nonprofit organizations to provide services to children with special needs. Commissioner Beyer also expressed to Community Options the ongoing need in New Jersey for program options to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Community Options is a valued partner for the department in serving youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities and providing options in programming,” said Commissioner Beyer. “In collaboration with our state and local community partners, New Jersey continues to build a robust infrastructure of needed services for individuals with I/DD.

Community Options currently operates three homes in Mercer County to support fifteen youths with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The home in Hamilton, which opened in 2018, supports five youths. A national leader in support services to people with disabilities of all ages, Community Options also operates over 130 homes in New Jersey for adults with disabilities.

“We want to thank Commissioner Beyer for her support and advocacy,” said Svetlana Repic-Qira, Regional Vice President for Community Options. “Understanding that there is an unmet need in New Jersey, we hope to have future partnerships with DCF to develop homes for youths with disabilities.”

Commissioner Beyer was appointed by Gov. Murphy to lead DCF in January 2018. She oversees the department programs that serve and safeguard the most vulnerable children and families in New Jersey. The state agency partners with Community Options to provide community-based housing opportunities for youths with disabilities.

Community Options is a Princeton-based national nonprofit organization that provides housing and employment support to people with disabilities. The organization employs a staff of over 5,000 and supports over 3,500 people with disabilities in eleven states.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Community Options Appoints New Executive Director to Lead Middlesex/Monmouth Counties Office

February 08, 2019 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options Appoints New Executive Director to Lead Middlesex/Monmouth Counties Office

(Princeton, NJ) – Community Options, Inc. proudly announces the promotion of Kathryn Giron to the post of Executive Director of the Middlesex and Monmouth Counties Office. In this role, she will have direct oversight of local residential and day programs for people with disabilities, talent recruitment and development, programming, budgeting, quality assurance, and cultivation of relationships within the business community in partnership with the Community Options Business Advisory Council.

“We are delighted to have Kathryn lead our operations in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Her growth at Community Options has been remarkable and her talent, passion, and commitment to excellence are evident in all that she does,” said Svetlana Repic-Qira, Regional Vice President at Community Options, Inc. “We look forward to the significant impact she will have on individuals with disabilities in her enhanced leadership role.”

Giron began working with Community Options in June 2012, originally joining as a Direct Support Professional in the Bergen/Passaic regional offices. She has earned four promotions throughout her tenure in the organization, also serving as a Community Support Manager and Coordinator, overseeing the operations of 14 local homes. Prior to joining Community Options, Giron ran Aquatics programs for the YMCAs of Union and Woodbridge, NJ.

“I came into the field not knowing what to expect and I fell in love with it. Working with the individuals on a daily basis, and watching their growth, has been deeply motivating to further my knowledge and experience in this field, and with Community Options. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve as an Executive Director for Community Options, and excited to begin this new chapter,” says Giron.

Giron earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from New Jersey City University. A New Jersey native, Giron lives in Edison with her husband and son.

About Community Options, Inc.:

For 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities, serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people, regardless of ability level, should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Valentine’s “Cupid’s Chase” 5K Charity Run will Benefit People with Disabilities

January 28, 2019 | PR Newswire online |

Thousands of runners in more than 40 cities across the United States participated in last year’s Cupid’s Chase 5K Charity run to raise money and awareness for adults with disabilities.

PRINCETON, N.J., Jan. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday, February 9, 2019, over 10,000 people across 45 cities in 11 states will participate in the 11th annual Valentine’s Cupid’s Chase 5K run, presented by Community Options, Inc.

Each year, Community Options, a national nonprofit organization that provides housing and employment support to people with severe mental and physical disabilities, hosts its Cupid’s Chase 5K in various cities to support local disabled residents and their families by raising money for facilities support and programmatic social and medical services. This year’s Cupid’s Chase run will take place in:

Arizona – Phoenix, Tucson
Kentucky — Bowling Green, Paducah
Maryland – Baltimore, Wheaton
New Jersey – Bridgewater, Glen Rock, Moorestown, Morristown, New
Brunswick, Princeton, Seaside Heights, West Orange, West Deptford
New Mexico – Albuquerque, Las Cruces/El Paso, Santa Fe
New York — Binghamton, Brooklyn, New York City, Queens, Syracuse
Pennsylvania – Allentown, Bloomsburg, Bucks, Butler, Harrisburg, King of
Prussia, Latrobe, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington County, Wilkes-Barre
South Carolina — Charleston, Columbia, Greenville
Tennessee — Chattanooga, Cookeville, Nashville
Texas — Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso/Las Cruces, San Antonio
Utah – Salt Lake City

“We started Cupid’s Chase to raise awareness in the community of the need for vital resources necessary to ensure that adults with significant disabilities will still live a meaningful, prosperous life,” said Robert Stack, CEO of Community Options. “I’m pleased that this event has drawn so many socially responsible community and corporate supporters. Each year we continue to add new race locales and educate all participants and sponsors on the importance of assisting those in our communities who desperately need a helping hand.”

prnewswire.com

The Cupid’s Chase run is expected to raise over $1 million for Community Options’ annual operating expenses. Through a variety of group home management and job placement services, Community Options currently supports over 3,500 adults living and working with severe mental and physical afflictions. Since its inception 30-years ago, Princeton based Community Options has assisted over 14,300 disabled individuals.

For more information, start times, donate, and to register for the event, please visit www.cupidschase.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cupidschase.

Embrace people with autism, don’t torture them

December 18, 2018 | Bowling Green Daily News online

Embrace people with autism, don’t torture them

Bowling Green Daily News

Electric shock to apply notable pain on mice and other animals for experimental behavioral response was legally used to apply to persons with autism and other disabilities until now.

In states like Massachusetts and others, the federal government allowed the use of cattle prods, electric shock and more complex devices of torture to temporarily modify aberrant behavior causing severe pain to people with disabilities. This medieval approach for persons with disabilities sanctioned by previous administrations is outrageous and has gone on far too long.

Many individual states had the wisdom to outlaw the use of aversive electric shock on persons with autism and intellectual disabilities. Other states did not. The federal government remained silent on this subject, until now.

After decades of letter writing, testimonies and a variety of other methodologies to educate public officials, finally FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in his newsletter stated that “we’re also planning to issue a final ban on electrical stimulation devices used for self-injurious and aggressive behaviors.

“We believe these products present an unreasonable and substantial risk to public health that cannot be corrected or eliminated through changes to the labeling. The FDA takes the act of banning a device only on rare occasions when it is necessary to protect public health.”

We support thousands of individuals with significant disabilities nationwide in small group homes and their own homes, as well as in community jobs and programs. We use positive approaches regardless of any behavior.

It has worked since I founded this organization 30 years ago and hopefully with the help and wisdom of the federal government it will become policy for every organization to follow.

Robert Stack

Bowling Green

– Stack is president and CEO of Community Options, a nonprofit supporting people with disabilities nationwide.

Community Options, Inc. Receives $5,000 Donation From Valley Bank For Its Red Ribbon Academy In Wayne, New Jersey

November 16, 2018 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options, Inc. Receives $5,000 Donation From Valley Bank For Its Red Ribbon Academy In Wayne, New Jersey

Community Options, Inc. Receives $5,000 Donation From Valley Bank For Its Red Ribbon Academy In Wayne, New Jersey (PRINCETON, NJ) – Community Options, Inc., one of New Jersey’s largest non‐profit organizations with a mission to develop housing and employment for people with disabilities, graciously accepted a $5,000 donation from Valley Bank of New Jersey.

“Valley is committed to making a lasting impact on the communities we serve,” remarked Mwaura Muroki, Valley Commercial Loan Officer. “That’s why we are proud to support Community Options in their mission to create housing and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.”

Community Options operates Red Ribbon Academy day programs in Wayne and Hillsborough, NJ. The donation will be dedicated to the Community Options’ Red Ribbon Academy in Wayne, New Jersey. The Red Ribbon Academy is a day habilitation program designed to foster growth and progress for individuals with special medical needs. The facility is barrier free, ADA compliant, and contains therapy rooms with special sensory environments. There are a wide array of therapeutic and recreational activities available to maintain and increase mental acuity, as well as maximize physical ability.

“Thank you to Valley Bank and its leadership for this generous donation to support 25 individuals at the Red Ribbon Academy in Wayne,” said Robert Stack, CEO of Community Options. “We look forward to continuing to provide best-in-class services and opportunities to nurture friendships and creativity, as well as the extra care and support our individuals need and want.”

About Community Options, Inc:

For 29 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information, please visit our website www.comop.org or follow our ComOpCares campaign via social media by searching #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Valley

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with approximately $31 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates more than 230 branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama, and is committed to providing the most convenient service, the latest innovations and an experienced and knowledgeable team dedicated to meeting customer needs. Helping communities grow and prosper is the heart of Valley’s corporate citizenship philosophy. To learn more about Valley, go to valley.com or call the Customer Service Center at 800-522-4100.

Community Options, Inc. Welcomes Dr. Jessica Guberman To Lead Its New York Operations

Dr. Jessica Guberman – Vice President of Strategic Operations

(Princeton, NJ) – Community Options, Inc, proudly welcomes Dr. Jessica Guberman as Vice President of Strategic Operations to run the New York Operations, with offices located in Binghamton, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Syracuse and Waverly. In this role, she will have direct oversight of all the executive directors in New York, as well as, budgeting, talent recruitment, programmatic direction and advocacy.

“We are happy to welcome Jessica back to the Community Options family,” stated Svetlana Repic-Qira, Regional Vice President of Community Options, Inc. “Jessica has dedicated her professional life to supporting individuals with disabilities and is a respected leader in the field. We are excited to have her run our New York Operations.”

Guberman has been a pioneer in the nonprofit sector supporting vulnerable populations for more than 20 years. Guberman previously worked for Community Options from 2004-2012, where she was promoted to Vice President of National Development and Public Relations. For the past six years, she served as the Chief Executive Officer for Special Citizens Futures Unlimited, a New York-based organization supporting people with Autism.

Guberman’s program development experience has included site acquisition, financing of projects, budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, and sustainability. She has developed homes and programs in New Jersey and New York and supervised programs all over the United States. In 2007, she founded the iMatter Surf Camp for Children with Autism now known as the Kristen Bednar Memorial Surf Camp for Children with Autism.

Some of her most prestigious awards and recognitions include having been appointed to the New Jersey Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism from 2008-2011; the 2009 New Jersey Business Journal’s Top Forty under Forty Award; the 2011 Philadelphia’s Smart CXO Executive Management Award; the 2015 Continental Who’s Who Pinnacle Professional Award; and was named the 2016 Most Influential Woman of the Year by the Bronx Times.

“I am beyond excited to be returning home to Community Options, Inc., the organization where my career kicked into high gear when I was 24 years old,” stated Dr. Jessica Guberman. “I look forward to doing creative and innovative work to improve the quality of life for New Yorkers with developmental/intellectual disabilities with my old and new colleagues, a visionary leader at the helm and advocates and parents across the state.”

Guberman currently holds memberships with the National Association of Professional Women, National Grants Management Association and is a member of the Forbes Nonprofit Council. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Women’s Studies, Master of Science in Addiction Psychology and holds a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For 29 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Community Options Welcomes New Adult Day Program

October 02, 2018 | Press Release.pdf

Community Options Welcomes New Adult Day Program

(Old Bridge, NJ) – Community Options, Inc. of New Jersey announces the Grand Opening of its new Day Habilitation facility, located at 343 NJ Route 34 in Old Bridge. Community Options, Inc. is a nationally based nonprofit (IRS 501(c)(3) certified) organization incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Princeton, NJ. Community Options serves thousands of individuals with disabilities throughout 11 states; Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. In New Jersey, Community Options now supports 18 programs that offer adult day training, three supported employment programs and three School To Employment Programs (STEP).

Day Habilitation programs are designed to enhance daily living skills, vocational and community skills through volunteerism and community integration. With the Township of Old Bridge on hand, the program will officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 15 at 11 a.m. The program is expected to support 16 individuals with a staff of 4 employees.

“Community Options is proud to open the doors to a program that will fill a huge void in the community,” stated Community Options, Inc. Managing Director, Dina Casalaspro. “With the support of Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry who facilitated a meeting with families from the local area and surrounding towns, we were able to strategize about how we were going to address the need. We thank Mayor Henry for his donation to cover the costs of one vehicle, as well as, all of the furniture, computers, and start-up items we requested. The program has been filled to capacity even before the official opening because of the desperate need for our services in the community and we look forward to opening more in the near future, with our next one scheduled for Paramus in Bergen County.”

If you would like more information about Community Options, the Day Habilitation program in New Jersey or any of the other services offered, please contact Dina Casalaspro at 973-905-4020 ext. 1062 or dina.casalaspro@comop.org.

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About Community Options, Inc.:

For 29 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through over 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.