1980s

• The new agency started in 1982 under the business name Better Living for Special People.
   It served 22 families in it's first year of operation.

• The agency received a respite grant for Monroe, Owen and Lawrence counties.

• The agency opened Grandview in 1984, its first group home in Bloomington, Indiana.
  Six men moved into Grandview.

• The program, Semi-Independent Living was offered in 1984. 
  It aimed to encourage individuals to gain daily living skills in their own homes.

• The agency opened Ida Lane group home in 1986.  Six men moved into the home, some of whom were
  assimilating back into the community after having lived in institutions.

• The agency was amongst the pioneers for Supported Living services in Indiana. 
  This service offered in 1988, was part of the Alternative Family for Adults and Children program.

1990s

• The agency adopted Options for Better Living, Inc (Options) as its official name in 1990.

•  In 1991, the agency built two new group homes serving 11 individuals in Spencer, Indiana.

• Options started providing services through Medicaid Waiver, a new funding stream for Indiana.

• The agency built a group home in Ellettsville, Indiana in 1993. 
  This was faced with much opposition from the neighborhood, but many opposing neighbors are today
  supporters and friends of Options.

• The agency expanded Medicaid Waiver services to include Personal Assistance, Attendant Care
  and Residential-Based Habilitation.

• Supported Living became the umbrella under which the agency’s in-home services came under.

• Another in-home service, Behavior Support became a new addition to Supported Living.

2000s

• In 2000, Supported Employment and Individual Habilitation were introduced.

• The agency reorganized to ensure that all services are delivered in a quality manner.

• The agency received its first 3-year accreditation in Supported Employment and Community Habilitation
  from the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) in 2001 and introduced
  Supported Employment.

• A second office opened in Bedford, Indiana in 2003.

• In 2004, the agency moved to a new location on Winslow Rd, Bloomington, Indiana to accommodate
  for the agency’s growth.

• The agency received another 3-year CARF accreditation in 2004.

• In 2006, the agency begins receiving $300,000 per year from a Monroe County tax levy.

• LEAP was launched.  This community based program aims to develop independent living skills while
  learning about resources in the community.

• In 2007, Options celebrated 25 years of partnering with people of disabilities.

• The agency began doing business as “Options, Inc.” in 2007.

•  In 2007, the agency received a 3-year CARF accreditation in Supported Employment,
   Community Services,
   Host Families and Community Living.

• Housing Options was introduced in 2007.  Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis and the City of
  Bloomington Community Development Block Grant provided funding grants.  Monroe Bank assisted with
  contributions and financing.

• Options partnered with Monroe County Parks and Recreation and the Community Foundation of
  Bloomington to spearhead the Karst Farm Playscape project.  W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded the
  project with a matching grant.

• The agency collaborated with Crane Learning and Education Center (CLEC) to provide training
  and employment to veterans who had returned from the Afghan and Iraq conflicts.

• In 2008, Options adopted a new logo and tagline to better reflect the expanding myriad of services.

• Executive Director, Susan Rinne, received the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF)
  Chairman’s Award on March 12, 2008.  The award is an annual honor given to an outstanding
  executive or administrator in the field of rehabilitation.

• The agency underwent an organizational restructure to further improve the quality in services.

   To review our most recent Form 990, please contact Nancy Crandall, Chief Financial Officer at 812-332-9615.