About Exceptional Opportunities, Inc.
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Exceptional Opportunities' Mission is to care for all people through:
Commitment- We will remember our primary focus is the individuals we serve.
We will be advocates for individuals with disabilities as without them we would have no purpose.
Acceptance- We will display unconditional acceptance to all individuals we serve and work with realizing that each has unique gifts, talents, and challenges.
Respect- We will respect the privacy, dignity and individualism of everyone we serve and work with. We strive to enrich the lives of both those we serve and employ.
Excellence- In everything we do, we must do it with the utmost care and commitment to excellence. The safety and rights of the individuals we serve is always our foremost concern.
Exceptional Opportunities, Inc.’s services are built upon a basic philosophy which maximizes human potential, individuality, growth, self realization and independence. Considering each individual’s unique abilities and changing needs, we hold that a human life is most satisfactory when the person enjoys a sense of self-identity and self-esteem, can sustain family ties and friendships, is challenged, is creative, is growing through learning and new experiences, learning to solve problems commensurate with his or her talents, enjoy life as much as possible, and is being prepared to lead a meaningful life in the community.
Board of Directors FY 2023
Following is a list of each Director and their term
Lynn Jenson, President
Judy Junkermeier, Vice President
Judy Haag, Secretary
Dennis Homes, Immediate
Past President
Bob Christian, Second
Past President
W. A. Renger
Brien Rindone
Rebecca Lewis
Judy Weber
2022 - 2027
2019 - 2024
2020 - 2025
2019 - 2024
2019 - 2024
2018 - 2023
2019 - 2024
2021 - 2026
2021 - 2026
Administrative Staff Roster 2023
Erin Schmidt, Executive Director
Kim Theesfeld, Financial Director
Wendy Harms, Director of Supported Community Living
Joe Taylor, Director of Supported Community Living
Lisa Bartolo, Director of Employee Development and
Quality Improvement
Kristal Theesfeld, Director of Community Living and Employment
Dennis Schuttler, Maintenance Supervisor
An accumulation of efforts on the part of many concerned parents who were a part of the Kossuth County Association for Retarded Citizens, and dedicated volunteers between 1967-1970, resulted in the incorporation of Exceptional Opportunities on May 13, 1970, as a private, not-for-profit (501c3) organization to serve children and adults with intellectually disabilities. These pioneers in services for children and adults with disabilities worked tirelessly for their loved ones to have educational, work and educational services. Starting as a pre-school for children with disabilities, Exceptional Opportunities, Inc. has continued to grow in Burt, Iowa, the small town with a big heart.
Today, nearly 100 individuals with intellectually disabilities are served with respect and excellence. A team of nearly 175 employees provide the services and supports needed with acceptance for each individual’s abilities, and commitment to help each person reach their dreams.
The current management and employee team continue with a similar strong resolve of the founders of Exceptional Opportunities, in the pursuit of helping people with disabilities live life to the fullest.
Services provided today include three homes licensed by the Department of Inspections and Appeals as Intermediate Care Facilities for Intellectually Disabilities (ICF/ID).
History
Exceptional Opportunities, Inc. Historic Time Table
1967 
Talks began on some type of services for children with disabilities
Talks began on some type of services for children with disabilities1969 Peter Pan Preschool began with five children
Peter Pan Preschool began with five children1970 Articles of Incorporation signed - Exceptional Opportunities, Inc. began
Articles of Incorporation signed - Exceptional Opportunities, Inc. began1972 Helping Hand Activity Center in Burt began serving adults
Helping Hand Activity Center in Burt began serving adults1974 Shepherds Cottage (Foster Care Facility opened)21 children
Shepherds Cottage (Foster Care Facility opened)21 children1976 School addition attached to Shepherds Cottage
School addition attached to Shepherds Cottage1981 Exceptional Opportunities Adult Residential built in Burt - 30 teens / adults
Exceptional Opportunities Adult Residential built in Burt - 30 teens / adults1984 New Work Activity Center constructed
New Work Activity Center constructed1986 Exceptional Treasures opened in Algona
Exceptional Treasures opened in Algona1988 West Side Apartments built / opened in Algona - 8 apts - 15 people
West Side Apartments built / opened in Algona - 8 apts - 15 people1889 Exceptional Treasures moved to new location
Exceptional Treasures moved to new location 1992 Shepherd Cottage changed license to ICF/MR and downsized to 15 residents
Shepherd Cottage changed license to ICF/MR and downsized to 15 residents 1992 Residential Home purchased for four women in Algona
Residential Home purchased for four women in Algona2003 Home & Community Based home opened in Algona
Home & Community Based home opened in Algona2003 EOI Adult Facility downsized to two homes for 12 people each
EOI Adult Facility downsized to two homes for 12 people each2003 Home & Community Based home for 4 individuals purchased on Fair St. Algona
Home & Community Based home for 4 individuals purchased on Fair St. Algona2004 Duplex built on Williams Street, Algona homes for 4 men & 4 women
Duplex built on Williams Street, Algona homes for 4 men & 4 women2004 Administrative Offices built in Burt
Administrative Offices built in Burt2005 Home & Community Based home for 4 opened on N. Woodworth
Home & Community Based home for 4 opened on N. Woodworth2005 Branch office built in Algona
Branch office built in Algona2007 Addition to Exceptional Industries
Addition to Exceptional Industries Greenhouse built at Exceptional IndustriesQuality Assurance become focus due to Federal mandates2008 Exceptional Industries received ninth consecutive 3 year accreditation.
Exceptional Industries received ninth consecutive 3 year accreditation.2009 EOI School closed.
EOI School closed. 2010 EOI Celebrates 40th Anniversary
EOI Celebrates 40th Anniversary2010 EOI begins conversion to electronic documentation
EOI begins conversion to electronic documentation2011 EOI South, East and West ICF Homes receive deficiency-free surveys from DIA two
EOI South, East and West ICF Homes receive deficiency-free surveys from DIA two consecutive years
2014 Exceptional Industries receives tenth consecutive 3 year CARF accreditation
Exceptional Industries receives tenth consecutive 3 year CARF accreditation and second consecutive accreditation without recommendations2015 EOI transitions four women from ICF/ID to new home on Eastland Drive
2016 Iowa Medicaid transitions to Managed Care, EOI contracts with all organizations
Closure of Exceptional Industries and push to Community Employment and community-based Day Habilitation program "without walls"
South ICF/ID Home closed and people transitioned to East and West ICF/ID Homes
2017 EOI transitions four men from ICF/ID to new home on Diamond Drive
2019 Reduced the census of East and West ICF/ID Homes
2020 Decision made to discontinue ICF/ID Services and transition to Home and Community Based Services in the community
Remaining 14 people in ICF/ID Services transition to new homes in the community on Eastland Circle, Richardson Court, and Finn Drive
Click for full history description of Exceptional Opportunities, Inc.
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Director W.A. 'Bucky' Renger and his daughter, Terese
(Supported Community Living
