Choices 2020 Spring
Choices Spring 2020 Newsletter
Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, Community Options provides housing, support services and advocacy assistance to help empower people with disabilities. #AllItTakes
Cupid’s Chase 5k in 2020
On Saturday February 8th, runners gathered in 31 cities for Community Options’ annual Cupid’s Chase 5k in support of people with developmental disabilities. Each runner received an “available” or “unavailable” shirt based upon relationship status, coinciding with the Valentine’s Day theme. Upon finishing the race all runners received a finisher medal and, if a runner placed in their age group or as a top overall finisher, they were recognized accordingly with either an age group medal or top finisher trophy.
This year, in total, Cupid’s Chase 5k had roughly 4,000 attendees and was able to raise over $300,000. A special thanks to our national sponsors W.B. Mason and Konica Minolta and Withum.
Next year Cupid’s Chase will take place on Saturday, February 13th, 2021 which happens to be the day before Valentine’s Day. Registration will open in July. We hope to see
you there!
New Mexico Vocational Rehabilitation Contracts
This school year Community Options was selected and awarded two contracts to provide School-To-Work programs in Santa Fe and Las Cruces, New Mexico.
The State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation approached Community Options regarding this program due to Community Options’ strength and experience in supported employment.
Each city’s vocational rehabilitation agency will partner with the school district and select high school students with intellectual disabilities to be placed with Community Options at a local business for employment. In Santa Fe six students are currently employed at the Wild Bull Resort and in Las Cruces 13 students are interning with Good Samaritan.
Community Options Expands in Pennsylvania
In August of 2019, Community Options began a strategic growth plan in parts of Pennsylvania to develop new homes for people with developmental disabilities. After Reaching out to current referral sources and new counties, Community Options has seen significant growth. To date, 17 homes have been opened in eastern and central Pennsylvania with 14 more scheduled to open in May. This expansion has led to Community Options entering new counties including:
• Lycoming • Chester • Lackawanna
By the summer months, Community Options will also have entered Schuylkill and Clinton counties and by fall, Community Options will have opened its 200th home in Pennsylvania. This new growth will result in over 9 million dollars in revenue, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, a significant number of lives will be changed for the better!
Pennsylvania
Leadership
Meeting.
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities Accreditation (CARF) in Maryland
Community Options, Inc. in Maryland was notified that it received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Children’s Services program. Community Options operates children’s group homes in Rockville, MD for the social services administration. The accreditation will be valid until August 31, 2022. In one excerpt from the accreditation letter, it reads, “This achievement is an indication of your organization’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of the lives of the persons served.”
Community Options’ programs in Maryland support over 150 people and employ 275 staff. Community Options has provided services in Maryland for over five years and owns 16 homes and four day-programs. Aaron Atkinson, Community Options’ Maryland State Director, had the following to say about the accreditation, “We are thrilled to have received CARF accreditation for our children’s services program and what it means for the future of our programs
in Maryland.”
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services (CARF) provides accreditation services worldwide at the request of health and human service providers. This broad field covers providers that care for people with intellectual disabilities, disability rehabilitation, drug and substance abuse recovery, and retirement living options.
Greg Thoennes and Jamie Reynolds Promoted in Texas
Greg Thoennes and Jamie Reynolds were each recently promoted to new roles. Thoennes has been promoted to Regional Vice President and will oversee operations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Reynolds will serve as the State Director in Texas and oversee all operations in the state.
Host Homes in Texas and Tennessee are Growing
Community Options’ host home programs in Texas and Tennessee are growing. A host home becomes available when a person or family decides to open their home to a person or persons with developmental disabilities. The provider must provide support in addition to room and board. The person being supported should feel that they are living in a safe comfortable environment that feels like a family setting rather than a group home setting. This is a great model for people with disabilities who can sleep through the night. If you’re interested in becoming a host home provider, please reach out to the Community Options office nearest you. You can find our office contact information at www.comop.org/about-us/our-offices. Opportunities for personal and professional growth should be provided through employment opportunities as well as social outings.
In total, Community Options oversees 168 host homes across Texas. Community Options’ regions in Tennessee also offer this program and have seen expansion as well. The host homes in Texas are spread across the 7 regions that Community Options operates out of in Texas. These regions include:
• Amarillo • Austin • Corpus Christi • Dallas • El Paso • Lubbock • San Antonio
SAVE THE DATE
Cupid’s Chase 5k
Saturday, February 13, 2021
SAVE THE DATE
Community Options’ Annual
iMatter Golf Classic
TPC Jasna Polana
4519 Province Line Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
October 5, 2020