A little history
about OPTIONS..
1990
-
In April, Grace Gasaway, Board
President and Barry Landry, Secretary/Treasurer sign incorporation documents
creating OPTIONS, Inc. OPTIONS is formed as a private non-profit organization
with a volunteer Board of Directors.
-
In July, TARC transfers Our House, Fortenberry House, Supervised Apartments and
vocational services to OPTIONS. Sylvia Bush, Chief Executive Officer, along
with the staff of these programs, become OPTIONS employees.
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In July, Alpha House opens for six women with developmental disabilities.
1991
-
In January, the Board of Directors authorizes the purchase of land and
construction of a wheelchair accessible community home.
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In June, OPTIONS begins providing Family Support and Personal Care Attendant
services.
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In November, La Casa, a community home for six men with developmental
disabilities and behavior disorders, opens in Pumpkin Center.
1992
1993
-
In April, the Administrative Team is
re-organized. A Financial Director and Human Resources Director positions are
created. Supervised Independent Living, Family Support and Personal Care
Attendant services become the Waiver Team. The Waiver Director position is
created to coordinate these services.
1994
-
OPTIONS, Inc. continues to seek
innovative ways to increase quality. To achieve this goal, OPTIONS focuses on
the growth and development of its most important resources: its people. Staff
is provided with training in Dr. William Glasser's principles of Reality
Therapy, Control Theory and Quality Management.
1995
-
Parents, individuals, and staff rally
to address budget cuts through fund-raising activities and a letter writing
campaign. Staff scale-back programs while maintaining quality. Some cuts are
reversed.
-
OPTIONS holds its first HOLIDAY PRANCE Run/Walk fundraiser through downtown
Hammond.
1996
-
Newly elected state legislators and
OPTIONS get to know each other. The Florida Parishes' delegation responds to
the needs of people with disabilities.
-
Emphasis continues on staff training, team building and having each employee and
individual focus on doing his/her BEST.
-
The 2nd Annual Holiday Prance is held in conjunction with
Southeastern’s Homecoming.
1997
1998
-
The 1st OPTIONS TELETHON
is held on May 23rd, at Hammond Square Mall and it is shown on
Channel 17. Celebrities and community leaders join together to let the
community know about the great work OPTIONS does and to raise money to help
support OPTIONS mission. The 4th Annual Holiday Prance is held in
conjunction with Southeastern’s Homecoming.
-
OPTIONS’ begins to provide Crisis Intervention Services through a contract with
the state.
1999
-
OPTIONS first Legislative &
Business Appreciation Breakfast is held. The 2nd OPTIONS TELETHON is
held LIVE on Florida Parishes Television – Channel 17 on May 27th.
-
OPTIONS continues to expand services to individuals and their families through
Home and Community Based Waiver funding.
2000
-
An Awareness Program is developed and
customer delight and synergy are the goals. The theme is “I’m Proud of My
OPTIONS.”
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The 3rd OPTIONS TELETHON is held at Hammond Square Mall on May 13th.
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The 6th annual HOLIDAY PRANCE is held November 18th.
2001
-
OPTIONS creates a new organizational
structure to support person-centered services.
-
The 4th OPTIONS TELETHON is held at Hammond Square Mall on April 28th.
-
OPTIONS begins a Capital Campaign to raise money for:
·
A new residence for six ladies
who live at Our House community home.
·
Additional vehicles to provide
transportation for people with disabilities.
·
A facility in the heart of the
community to accommodate growth.
·
An endowment fund to ensure
the future of services for people with disabilities.
2002
-
OPTIONS expands its ironing services
to Ponchatoula. People can now bring their ironing to Hammond or Ponchatoula.
-
OPTIONS begins a Horticulture Education Program to provide employment
opportunities for people with severe disabilities. Project begins with hiring a
person who specializes in training people with disabilities to work with
plants. A greenhouse is constructed with help from community.
-
The 5th OPTIONS
TELETHON is held at Hammond Square Mall on April 27, 2002.
2003
-
Thanks to the support of the
community, the Capital Campaign is successfully completed. Six ladies who live
at Our House move into their new home on Green Acres Drive. A new building
next to the main office is constructed for OPTIONS Horticulture program. OPTIONS
purchases several new vans and an endowment fund is started.
-
The 6th OPTIONS TELETHON is held at
Hammond Square Mall on April 26, 2003.
2004
-
A comprehensive incentive program is
developed that includes individuals working in OPTIONS vocational program as
well as all employees. Measuring for Success identifies quality indicators and
recognizes those who meet the standard. The 7th OPTIONS TELETHON is
held at Hammond Square Mall on April 24th, 2004.
2005-2006
-
The staff of OPTIONS provides quality
care for clients successfully during Hurricane Katrina. OPTIONS exceeds the
TELETHON 2006 goal held at North Oaks Health System. OPTIONS purchases a gas
generator for LaCasa community home. OPTIONS provides the opportunity for key
staff to be certified as Ham Radio Operators in preparation for future storms.
-
An acre of land is donated
for OPTIONS SAFE HAVEN. The main office is updated with new flooring and paint
for the front office area. The vocational department grows significantly with
new contracts for the assembly area. OPTIONS horticulture department plant
sales increase by 57%. Hurricane preparation and safety awareness increases,
thus decreasing accidents and workers compensation costs.
2007-2008
-
OPTIONS continues to serve more
individuals with disabilities. As of April 2008, OPTIONS is serving 190
individuals. Based on the need to develop more work opportunities and increase
wages for people with disabilities, OPTIONS reorganizes at the Executive
Management Level. The Chief Operations Officer position is restructured to focus
intensely on the Vocational Program and other areas that address the growth of
OPTIONS.
-
Two new community-based
work sites are developed: Shreddergator & Mardi Gras Bead Recycling & Resale.
OPTIONS also initiates a commercial laundry business.
-
Robin Roberts attends
TELETHON 2007 at North Oaks Health System Dufreche Center and matches the first
hour’s total, donating over $20,000 to OPTIONS.
2008-2009
-
OPTIONS TELETHON 2008, the tenth
TELETHON, is held once again at North Oaks. The Laundry Business is named
All–Pro Business Laundry and the Mardi Gras Office is named Second Line Beads
and Recycling. Board member Linda Morgan uses the resources of North Oaks
Health System to provide marketing materials.
-
TELETHON 2009 is held at
Oak Knoll Country Club. Once again, OPTIONS faces large budget cuts and joins
with eight other providers in this area to rally support for full funding of
services. A shade house is donated to the Horticulture Program, and the
Horticulture Team begins a Jewelry Crew. OPTIONS Jewelry is featured at ten
locations in the local area. A gas generator is purchased for Fortenberry House
and other community homes are painted and renovated.
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