September 17th, 2024 | Press Release.pdf

PRINCETON, NJ– Community Options, a leading national nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, is proud to present Kelly Garcia, Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, with the Betty Pendler Award in recognition of her remarkable efforts in closing one of the last institutions in Iowa.

“We are truly thrilled to present Director Kelly Garcia with the Betty Pendler Award,” said Robert Stack, Community Options’ President and CEO. “Her efforts in Iowa are life-changing for over a hundred people that moved back into the community from the institution.”

Praised for transformative leadership, Kelly Kennedy Garcia serves as the inaugural Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Director Garcia to oversee the state’s social services agency in November 2019. She was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate on February 26, 2020.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award, which I accept on behalf of the amazing HHS team,” said Kelly Garcia. “Our team worked tirelessly to successfully transition Glenwood residents into community-based care, and they deserve our congratulations and gratitude. The decision to close Glenwood was not made lightly, nor without careful consideration, analysis and input from many stakeholders, but I’m confident we made the right decision for those in our care and for our state. This time in our state’s history allows for a new vision to support community-based care while better understanding the unique role state-operated specialty care plays in supporting community capacity.”

Director Garcia oversaw the closure of the Glenwood Resource Center, an institution in Southwest Iowa that housed over 150 people in 2022. Through an innovative partnership with Community Options, the State of Iowa was able to increase provider capacity in the community and ensure that safe and accessible housing was available for every person leaving the institution.

This prestigious award is named in honor of Betty Pendler, who fought tirelessly for the interests of people with disabilities. Having a daughter with Down syndrome, Betty worked relentlessly to educate the public and policymakers on the capabilities of people with disabilities. She brought a parents’ perspective into the national conversation. Previous recipients include Governor Chris Christie, Senator Bob Casey, and Ambassador Nikki Haley.

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About Community Options, Inc.:
For over 35 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment support for people with disabilities – supporting thousands of people from over 50 offices across 12 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 follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X.