About Us

Our History

• 1980

  1982: Many with serious mental illness are discharged from state institutions into the community. Treatment resources are scarce and difficult to access, and there is a lack of safe affordable housing. Options is incorporated by Dr. Diana Antos Arens and Diane Mendolia, LCSW in response to this need. 

  1984: Options opens two community residences certified by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH).

  1986: The Mental Health Supportive Apartment Treatment Program is initiated and certified.

• 1990

  1990: The agency’s mission expands with a seven site Transitional Housing Program, providing housing and assistance for homeless families through a contract with Suffolk County DSS. 

  1991: Options Thrift Shop in Lake Ronkonkoma opens as a prevocational volunteer activity for residents in Options mental health residential programs.

  1992: The mental health residential program grows to serve 128 people in transitional housing at six community residences and 20 scattered single-family sites (apartment treatment program.)

  1994: Recognizing the growing need to serve Long Islanders living with HIV/AIDS, the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute awards Options a contract to provide comprehensive case management services. These services are offered through the Community Follow-Up Program. The agency opens its first permanent supportive housing site with the support from the New York State Office of Mental Health. Options receives its first of sixteen U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 811 Grants.

  1996: To accommodate the significant number of Nassau County clients served by the Community Follow-Up Program, Options opens a satellite office in Hempstead. 

  1997: Options completes its first project to develop supportive housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. Many more projects are completed over the next 15 years in Nassau and Suffolk Counties with the support of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Long Island Continuum of Care, Islip Community Development Agency, United Way of Long Island, Nassau County Office of Housing and Intergovernmental Affairs, NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute and the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

• 2000

  2000: Options programs are accredited with commendation by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. CARF standards promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served. This accreditation continues through present day. 

  2005: Options Community Follow-Up Program expands to serve up to 560 individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS and offers 46 units of supportive housing. Options Mental Health Residential Programs provide housing and support services at 67 sites with capacity to serve 251 adults. Additional sites are in development. Options manages 29 transitional housing sites for homeless families.

  2007: Options relocated its group home from a rented house to a newly renovated home in East Islip thanks to support from the NYS office of Mental Health. Options celebrated its 25^th Anniversary hosting its first Gala event. Options Thrift Shop closes following a devastating fire.

• 2010

  2010: Options begins to serve people who are uninsured or underinsured and diagnosed with HIV/AIDS through a NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute grant. Options Thrift Shop reopens following complete renovation and remediation in accordance with all code requirements.

  2012: As a result of Medicaid redesign in New York State, Options’ comprehensive case management program broadens its service population to include people with serious mental illness, HIV/AIDS or two or more chronic health conditions. Options becomes a health home network provider of care coordination services for adults in partnership with Northwell Health and Sun River Health (formerly Hudson River). Diane Mendolia retires as Program Director.

  2013: Options Transitional (emergency) Housing Program closes as Suffolk County moves away from scattered site housing and toward congregate settings for homeless families.

  2014: Dr. Arens retires as Executive Director of the organization. Yolanda Robano-Gross is identified as her replacement by the Board of Directors and hired. 

  2016: New multi-unit apartment treatment site with accommodations for adults with mental illness and medical needs opens. Mobile residential support team is introduced in Suffolk. 

  2017: Two new awards from NYS OMH to provide supportive housing (85 beds) allows for growth into Nassau County. Options begins providing care coordination services for children ages 6 – 21. Options opens Amityville satellite.

  2018: Home and Community Based Services are introduced.

  2019: Options administrative office is relocated to Ronkonkoma to accommodate growth.

• 2020

  2020: Age eligibility for the Children’s Care Coordination program is lowered to birth to 21.

  2021: Options is named as a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder receiving a $200,000 grant over two years, and comprehensive leadership training for the chief executive officer and an emerging leader. COO role is created.