January 4, 2026 | Nonprofit Leadership Podcast nonprofitleadershippodcast.org online article

Dr. Rob Harter speaks with Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options, a nonprofit that has been at the forefront of providing safe, dignified, and inclusive care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Stack shares his personal journey that led him into this field, beginning with volunteering as a young seminarian and evolving into decades of nonprofit leadership.
 
Robert offers eye-opening insights into the challenges and injustices still facing the disability care sector—from exploitative practices by private equity firms to deeply flawed state-run institutions. He also outlines Community Options’ impactful approach: prioritizing person-centered care, scaling nonprofit services responsibly, and advocating for inclusive employment that uplifts people with disabilities. His book, Silent No Longer, is a call to action for society to demand dignity and rights for all individuals, regardless of ability.
 
Key Topics Include:
The negative impact of private equity investment in disability care services
How state-run institutions often prioritize employment over quality care
The injustice of sub-minimum wages and legal aversion therapies still used in some states
The importance of inclusive employment and its social benefits for individuals with disabilities
Community Options’ approach to personalized care and their growth across 12 states
Why mentorship and dignity-driven programming lead to better outcomes
What Robert Stack hopes readers take away from his book Silent No Longer