Community Options, Inc. is a nationally based nonprofit (IRS 501(c)(3) certified) organization incorporated in 1989 and headquartered in Princeton, NJ.

Community Options believes in the dignity of every person, and in the freedom of all people to experience the highest degree of self-determination. Embracing this philosophy, Community Options provides housing and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Community Options serves thousands of individuals with disabilities throughout 11 states – Arizona, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. They support individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome, Prader-Willi, and traumatic brain injury. Many of the individuals they serve also have co-occurring medical and mental health conditions such as Seizure Disorder, Pica, Diabetes, Mood Disorders, Schizoaffective Disorders, and Impulse Control Disorders.

Community Options’ programs incorporate the Gentle Teaching philosophy, a way of educating and supporting individuals that promotes trusting relationships. By helping individuals feel unconditionally safe, they remove the underlying cause of many challenging behaviors and create a space for showing love in moments of stress.

Community Options staff working with children are trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA), an evidence-informed methodology for working with children and youth with challenging behaviors.

Community Options also utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies and techniques in order to assist individuals with autism in building important life skills.

No aversive conditioning or negative behavior modification is used and the agency preference is to avoid any kind of physical management. All initiatives undertaken by Community Options are based on respect for the individuals and their families.