June 28, 2022 | Press Release.pdf | observer-reporter.com online article | post-gazette.com online article

Philadelphia, PA – Community Options, a leading national nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, announced approval of a $705,774 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs. Funding is designated from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Community Options supports more than 630 Pennsylvanians with disabilities in housing, employment, and day programs. The grant will provide training to over 575 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who support people with disabilities for crisis prevention and health. The direct care workers who complete the certification process will receive up to $1,000 in bonus compensation. This will facilitate career ladders for entry level staff.

“These funds will be applied to the courageous staff who selflessly provide support services to our most vulnerable citizens – people with disabilities,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options

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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.

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June 28, 2022 | Press Release.pdf

Princeton, New Jersey – Community Options, a leading national nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, announced approval of a $705,774 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs. Funding is designated from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Community Options supports more than 630 Pennsylvanians with disabilities in housing, employment, and day programs. The grant will provide credentials to hundreds of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who support people with disabilities.

Through the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed, this grant will accredit the organization’s programming and certify the organization’s most committed DSPs in assessment and observation, behavior support, crisis prevention and intervention, health and wellness and community collaboration and teamwork. All DSPs who complete the certification process will receive up to $1,000 in bonus compensation.

“These funds will be applied to the courageous staff who selflessly provide support services to our most vulnerable citizens – people with disabilities,” said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options.
Not only will the grant create career ladders and portability for DSPs, but people with disabilities will benefit from well trained staff. Acuity of behavioral health needs is increasing among people with disabilities, and training will prepare the workforce to address these needs. Finally, service quality will improve as partnerships and relationships between DSPs, individuals and families are strengthened.

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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.