Politicker NJ article .pdf – By PolitickerNJ Staff | April 23rd, 2014 – 10:26pm

An event next month for Community Options, Inc. will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the organization’s founding and honor Governor Tom Kean, Sr., a was an advocate over 25 years ago for bringing individuals with developmental disabilities out of state institutions into small group homes.

Robert Stack, who worked for the Kean administration in the Human Services Department, started Community Options at his kitchen table.

The organization has expanded to eight states with one more state to be added any day now.

Thousands of developmentally disabled people are now living a higher quality of life thanks to Community Options. Families are happy. In addition, taxpayers are saved $100K for each person moved to a group home.

Acting as business partners to meet the needs of families with children with disabilities in tandem with both private and government agencies, Community Options screens, hires and trains indigenous staff on proven methodologies of care and therapy services to create the best possible environment for persons with disabilities. This includes, 24-hour residential services, supported employment to match people with disabilities for competitive jobs, entrepreneurial businesses such as flower stores, gift shop and office boutiques as well as programs supporting persons with very significant medical needs.

“Community Options has reopened doors and given hope to so many people with developmental disabilities across the country,” said Governor Kean. “It is a great honor to be recognized by such a wonderful and credible organization.”

In addition to honoring Governor Kean, Community Options will be honoring Business Ambassadors, Toys R’Us and AMC for their collaborative partnerships in hiring people with developmental disabilities.

Community Options will be honoring Governor Kean on Thursday, May 8 at Morven in Princeton at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please visit www.comop.org