CHOICE, Inc. is a team of dedicated professionals committed to providing personalized support to people with intellectual disabilities through innovative programming and meaningful partnerships. With three locations in the western Twin Cities metro – Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, and our STARS program in Minnetonka – we offer a well-rounded experience focused on community, friendship, personal growth, and meaningful engagement in employment, education, and community life.
Our Services
On-site Programming
We offer daily in-center programs and activities designed to inspire curiosity, foster socialization, build skills, and support self-discovery. Activities span a wide range of interests, including arts and creative expression, music, history and world cultures, self-advocacy, social skills, sensory exploration, independent living, animal studies, and health and fitness. This intentional variety ensures that participants have opportunities for both learning and enjoyment.
Community Integration
Through strong partnerships across the Twin Cities, CHOICE connects participants with unique experiences they may not otherwise have access to. These include music therapy at MacPhail Center for Music, horticultural therapy at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, art classes at the Textile Center, canoeing with Wilderness Inquiry, Twins games through the Twins Community Fund, fishing with Let’s Go Fishing, group fitness at 9Round Kickboxing, and more. We also make regular use of community spaces such as libraries, coffee shops, museums, and zoos, and seek out seasonal events and attractions happening across the community. With our privately owned fleet of vehicles, we have the flexibility to get out, explore, and stay connected to the community, every single day.
Employment Services
CHOICE offers supported employment opportunities for individuals who are interested in working in their community. By taking the time to understand each person’s unique strengths, interests, and goals, our Job Developer helps connect participants with meaningful paid or volunteer positions. Paid employment opportunities are offered at or above minimum wage and take place at local businesses, with ongoing support from a CHOICE job coach. For individuals who are newer to our program or exploring work for the first time, volunteer opportunities are often a great starting point to build skills and confidence. Most positions are structured in small, crew-based settings, typically consisting of 2–4 workers and job coach who work together throughout the shift. For those seeking a more independent work experience, individualized employment opportunities may also be explored based on each person’s readiness and skill set.
Transportation
For participants who live within our transportation service zones, CHOICE provides daily rides to and from home and their CHOICE program site. We operate a privately owned fleet of 12-passenger vans and minivans, driven by our Direct Support Staff who know participants well and offer highly personalized, reliable transportation. Individuals living outside of our transportation zones are still welcome to attend CHOICE, but will need to secure an alternative transportation provider.
Our Locations
Maple Grove
Our Maple Grove site supports up to 90 individuals with an average staffing ratio of 1:8. Programs emphasize skill development, building healthy relationships, and fostering independence.
Service offerings include on-site life enrichment and educational programming, community-based activities, and facilitated experiences with local partners. Participants may also explore supported employment and volunteer opportunities, either in a crew-based setting with a job coach or in more independent, traditional work environments.
Eden Prairie
Our Eden Prairie location serves up to 100 individuals with an average staffing ratio of 1:8. Programming is designed to support skill-building, social connection, and continued growth toward greater independence.
Service offerings include on-site life enrichment and educational programming, community-based activities, and facilitated experiences with local partners. Employment opportunities are available through job coach-supported, crew-based work settings.
STARS – Minnetonka
STARS is a specialized program within the CHOICE network, serving up to 35 individuals with an average staffing ratio of 1:3. Designed for individuals who benefit from a higher level of support, STARS offers a smaller, more personalized, and sensory-friendly environment.
Programming focuses on therapeutic, engaging life enrichment activities, along with community-based experiences and partnerships. Supported employment and volunteer opportunities are occasionally available on a more limited basis.
Reach out to our Intake Specialist:
FAQs:
CHOICE currently maintains an extensive waitlist (estimated 2+ years depending on the site) and is not actively processing new referrals at this time. However, you are welcome to add an individual to our Deferred Waitlist. When space becomes available in the future, we will reach out to begin the formal referral process.
At this time, a small number of openings occasionally arise across our three sites. Our Intake Director contacts individuals on the Deferred Waitlist in the order that inquiries were received to confirm current interest and needs before beginning the referral process.
Any member of an individual’s support team may add them to our Deferred Waitlist by submitting an Initial Inquiry Form.
To request this form, please email erinp@choicejobs.org. Once the form is submitted, the individual will officially be added to the Deferred Waitlist. When we are closer to having an available opening, we will reach out and invite you to submit a formal referral.
Due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to offer tours for new inquiries at this time. Tours are prioritized for individuals who have been invited to begin the formal referral process and are being actively considered for enrollment.
CHOICE operates a fleet of company vans that seat between 7–12 passengers. Transportation between home and CHOICE is available for participants who live within our transportation zone and when seating is available.
Our Direct Support Staff serve as the drivers, allowing for a more personalized and consistent transportation experience. Transportation to community activities during program hours is also included for all active participants.
The cost of services varies depending on an individual’s funding sources, service authorizations, and level of support needs. Most participants access services through waiver funding or other public funding sources. Our Billing Team can help review funding options and discuss estimated service costs during the referral process.
CHOICE primarily provides Day Support and Enrichment Services. Supported employment opportunities may become available to individuals who are actively participating in our day program.
Employment opportunities are typically introduced after we have had time to assess a participant’s skills, interests, and readiness for work so that we can create a successful job match. This takes time.
If you are seeking a more traditional job or one-on-one job support and are less interested in enrichment programming, we would encourage you to explore alternative options with providers who specialize in employment support and job placement.
Our ability to safely and appropriately support an individual is determined during the referral and intake process. The CHOICE Intake Team reviews documentation, interviews members of the support team, and observes the individual within our environment before making a determination. If we determine that we are unable to meet an individual’s needs, that decision is based solely on an evaluation of support needs and CHOICE’s capacity to provide appropriate services that meet the individual’s needs.
Participants who live within our transportation zone may be picked up by CHOICE vans between 8:00–9:00 AM. Vans arrive at the program around 9:00 AM, followed by a brief social transition period.
Our morning programming block begins at 9:30 AM and may include on-site enrichment activities, community outings, or scheduled work shifts.
Participants then transition to a supervised lunch hour, bringing a packed lunch from home.
After lunch, our afternoon programming block includes additional enrichment activities, community outings, or work opportunities.
The day concludes with cleanup and social time, with departures beginning at 2:45 PM. Participants are transported home with drop-off times typically no later than 4:00 PM.
CHOICE frequently organizes special events for our current participants. When space allows, we may also invite individuals on our waitlist to attend. These events are known as “pop-up” events, and provide a great opportunity for those on our waitlist to connect with our team and allow individuals to experience CHOICE programming, community, and activities before formally joining our services.