February 16, 2022 | Press Release.pdf

Rockville, MD – Community Options, Inc., a leading national nonprofit that develops housing and employment supports for people with disabilities, today announced the appointment of Tigest Alemu as State Director of Maryland.

“Tigest has been a tremendous advocate for people with disabilities,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. “She has been a strong leader and helped spur growth in our Rockville region. I have no doubt that her leadership will enable more Marylanders with disabilities to achieve greater independence.”

Community Options supports 5,000 people nationally with disabilities through innovative housing and employment programs. In Maryland, the organization has offices in Frederick, Howard, and Montgomery Counties. As State Director, Alemu will oversee residential, employment, and day habilitation services for over 200 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The announcement today of the appointment of Tigest Alemu as the new State Director of Maryland is an exciting development,” said Madeleine Will, Chair of Community Options Business Advisory Council and former Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. “She is an extraordinary professional; competent, committed and well-qualified to continue to grow the organization in a manner that will lead to better employment, independence and community inclusion for persons with disabilities.”

Community Options supports children and adults with disabilities in Maryland. One of the individuals supported is Rachel Hott. As a young child, Rachel was placed into the Judge Rotenberg Center, an institution for children with disabilities known for administering electric shock and aversive conditioning. Community Options helped Rachel transition into the community, and she successfully graduated high school last year.

“I’m excited to step into this new position with Community Options,” said Tigest Alemu. “The best part of my job is to see people like Rachel grow and thrive in the community. We have a strong team in Maryland and I look forward to growing our footprint so that more people can have opportunities like Rachel.”

Alemu joined Community Options in 2020 as Executive Director. She has fifteen years of experience in managing person-centered programs for people with disabilities. Alemu holds a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore and a dual MBA in Finance and Health Care Management from Wilmington University.

About Community Options, Inc.:

For over 30 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people from over 40 offices across 10 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 #AllItTakes campaign, search #AllItTakes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.