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The Adair County SB40 Developmental Disability Board announces a grant to Community Opportunities Inc., in the amount of $145,786, which will enable the organization to make substantial improvements to its existing facility at 1001 South Osteopathy and expand its range of employment services to include community employment supports. Projects included in the list of planned improvements to the facility are a new garage door and opener, new sorting carts, a new fork lift, new light fixtures, vehicle repairs, and extensive staff training, all of which will enhance employee safety and productivity. Also included in the grant is funding for new computer and office equipment, which will allow Community Opportunities to modernize business practices and expand services. The grant included $46,000 to cover operating expenses for the remainder of 2012, due in part to a shortfall in funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which is the primary funding source for sheltered employment in Missouri. As part of the expansion process, Community Opportunities has formed a sister non-profit organization, CommOpp Services, which will qualify for federal and state funding not available to traditional sheltered employment providers. This move allows Community Opportunities to offer more options for the people it serves while improving the organization’s funding base. Supporting opportunities in employment for people with developmental disabilities is a priority for the Adair County SB40 Developmental Disability Board, fulfilling its mission to enrich lives by connecting people to essential resources, facilitating independence and community membership.The SB40 grant was presented to the Community Opportunities Board of Directors by ACSDDB Assistant Director Nancy Pennington at the Board's meeting on May 18.




Pictured, left to right: Dick Roberts, Rusty Wilson, Kevin Baiotto, Levenia Daniels, Glenn Neuweg, Nancy Pennington, George Wriedt, Norm Belitz, Tom Duncan, Harvey Young, Barb Adams, Herb Sandker, Linda Treasure, Dennis Dew, Larry Whitney.