National President and CEO Spends Week in Washington meeting with Top Advisors
National President and CEO Spends Week in Washington meeting with Top Advisors
Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options, Inc. works to change the lives of people with disabilities
Princeton, July 10, 2009: This may have been a normal work week for you but for one President and CEO, it was anything but. Robert Stack, Founder, President and CEO of Community Options, Inc. spent this past week in Washington D.C. meeting with top advisors. He met with influential people who could assist in changing the story for thousands of people with disabilities across the United States.
With 30 regional offices throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and New Mexico, Community Options has remained vigilant in its founding mission and cause- to develop housing and employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Community Options currently employs 2,500 Direct Support Professionals, Management and Administrative staff throughout the country. They are currently supporting over 1,500 people with develop mental disabilities in inclusive communities and competitive employment.
Robert’s first meeting this week took place with Mr. Kareem Dale, the Special Assistant to Obama on Disability Policy. This was a meeting to discuss national de-institutionalization and promoting community-based choices for people with disabilities and their families.
From his meeting with Mr. Dale, Robert went on to meet with Judy Woodruff, an American television anchor and journalist. Robert and Judy met to also discuss national de-institutionalization. Judy has a highly influential program on PBS called, “Generation Next,” which is a documentary about American young people and their characteristics, values and thoughts on family, faith, politics and world events, produced in conjunction with MacNeil/Lehrer Productions.
To round out the week, Robert was invited to attend the Middle Class Task Force Roundtable discussion on the rising costs of health care for small-business owners and employees which was hosted by Vice President Biden and Secretary Sebelius at the White House. The roundtable was well attended and valuable information was given and received regarding health care reform relative to small business’ that utilize Community Options entrepreneurial businesses as their foundation.
Late in the afternoon Friday, Robert had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Andrew Pepin, the Executive Administrator of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Robert was able to speak with Dr. Pepin and his team about our School to Employment Program (STEP) and how the gap for young adults will be bridged for brighter futures.
There is much more work to be done. This is only the beginning. Robert is dedicated to going any distance to ensure that people with disabilities, if they choose, are moved from state institutions and into their own homes. Robert will continue to position himself to become the “go to” expert on institutional closure and will continue to push this agenda on the people that have it in their power to make the most change. Please stay tuned to the organization as we will be hosting a luncheon celebration in October 2009 to celebrate National Disability Awareness Month in Princeton, NJ with a pending invitation from First Lady Michelle Obama.
To learn more about Community Options, Inc. please visit them on the web at www.comop.org. On their website you will be able to read the organization’s blog, see upcoming events and learn more about their entrepreneurial businesses. #####
(Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius listen Perry Gaskins, a small business owner talks about rising health insurance costs his company is facing during a healthcare roundtable in room 350 of the EEOB, Friday, July 10, 2009. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)