April 20, 2023 | Press Release.pdf

COLUMBIA, SC – Community Options Inc., a leading national non-profit organization supporting people with disabilities, was awarded a grant by the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council to launch Circles of Support, an innovative program to promote greater inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“The South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council is excited to support this grant,” said Valerie Bishop, SCDDC Executive Director. “Helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find ways to integrate into their communities is at the heart of our mission. Community Options has been a wonderful sub-grantee and collaborator for many years, and we look forward to working with them to continue to make a difference in the lives of the individuals we serve.”

Community Options supports 5,000 people with disabilities and their families across 11 states, including nearly 400 people in South Carolina. The organization develops community-based housing, employment, and day services in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with the South Carolina DD Council,” said Lindsey Daniel, Community Options’ State Director for South Carolina. “Circles of Support will enable individuals to use their own networks and community knowledge to better integrate in the community.”

The Circles of Support model is an innovative way to build formal social networks around a person with a disability, and to use this network to promote greater inclusion. Community Options will support 16 people through this pilot program, with future opportunities to expand.

#

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 50 offices across 11 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 us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.