Citizens Options Unlimited Receives $91K State Infrastructure Grant

PLAINVIEW, NY — Disability services nonprofit Citizens Options Unlimited has been awarded $91,592.16 from New York State for a technology upgrade at the Helen Kaplan Intermediate Care Facility.

The grant is part of the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.

The award will fund technology upgrades for Citizens’ Helen Kaplan Intermediate Care Facility in Plainview, a program offering long-term care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a higher level of need related to medical or behavioral complexities.

“Thanks to this award, the mission-critical tasks performed at the Helen Kaplan ICF will be accomplished through a more, energy-efficient, high-performance data and telecommunications network,” said Stanfort J. Perry, CEO of Citizens Options Unlimited. “Such a grant will create a meaningful impact on service delivery, from improved workflow among clinical and administrative teams to increased connectivity for telehealth.”

Internally referred to as the “Cyber Configuration Update for the Helen Kaplan ICF,” the project aims to significantly improve the program’s IT capabilities through the purchase, installation, and quality evaluation of new routers, switches, fiber optics, and additional hardware, agency officials said.

That will also mean increased accessibility, confidentiality, and security of electronic records and system analytics at the ICF.

Citizens Options Unlimited is a disability services agency offering life-sustaining supports to Long Islanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Helen Kaplan Intermediate Care Facility undergoes an annual audit conducted by regulatory bodies. These include, but are not limited to, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the New York State Department of Health, and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

The award was part of more than $40 million in capital grants that Gov. Kathy Hochul announced July 1 to support critical capital and infrastructure needs at 136 nonprofit organizations serving New York families and veterans.

“DASNY plays a critical role in assisting non-profit organizations with their capital investments as they deliver essential services to communities and individuals across New York State,” Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said in the announcement. “By providing financial support, we empower organizations to improve infrastructure, enhance services, and create sustainable growth. Our commitment ensures that vital resources reach those who need them most, fostering stronger and inclusive communities.”