Council Bluffs, Iowa — 2022 — Community Options, Inc., a national nonprofit organization supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced its expansion into Iowa with the purchase of its first home in Council Bluffs.

The organization’s entry into Iowa comes as the state transitions away from institutional care, following the planned closure of the Glenwood Resource Center. Community Options is working in partnership with state and local agencies to support individuals moving from institutional settings into community-based homes.

Community Options plans to develop multiple four-bedroom homes in southwest Iowa, each designed to support three to four individuals with 24-hour staffing. These homes provide opportunities for individuals to live in more integrated, community-based settings while receiving individualized support.

Community Options also collaborates with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to help individuals access housing, employment, and community supports.

Community Options anticipates opening additional homes across Mills and Pottawattamie counties as part of its long-term commitment to serving Iowans with disabilities.

Community Options President and CEO, Robert Stack, emphasized the importance of community-based living models in improving quality of life. “They will be able to make choices individually about their own lives,” Stack said. “They will be treated as adults.”

Founded in New Jersey, Community Options operates in multiple states nationwide and continues to expand services to meet the needs of individuals transitioning from institutional care to community living.