Forty Years of Growth and Influence: Honoring Our Past; Looking to Our Future

2014 was a year of great celebration and recognition for INARF.  Through every story told and every Rubi picture shared, we were reminded of the many members, friends, and partners who made our 40 years of growth and influence possible.  

As we now turn to the path before us, the Association is well positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead – opportunities to realize our vision of a sustainable network of provider agencies delivering high quality services to support the aspirations of all people with disabilities. 

To send us forward on this journey, it seems appropriate to take heed from our founding CEO – Costa Miller.  His remarks and observations at the conclusion of the grant that planted the seed that is now INARF remain as true today as they did back then.  

“What started as an experiment in 1974 has proven to be a dynamic, worthwhile venture.  Over a three-year period, progress has increased steadily.  In our opinion, we have achieved our objective of establishing a more effective leadership mechanism at the state level to represent locally based rehabilitation facilities. As this has occurred, it has become apparent that the real power and thrust of the movement lies not so much with the leaders, but rather with those in the field, for whom effective leadership has opened new avenues of opportunity and growth, and stimulated the blossoming of a dynamic potential for the future.  Together, we are unified, effective, and smarter than any one of us. Together, we are not “small potatoes.” . . . We now view the future as challenging and exciting, and we see the opportunity of making “big” better.  All of our future efforts will be directed toward that end.”

Costa N. Miller
Founding Executive Director
Excerpt from the Sixth and Final Report for
The Establishment of a More Effective Leadership
Mechanism at the State Level to Represent Locally
Based Rehabilitation Facilities in Indiana

I’m thankful for Costa’s words and vision.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a view of the past, present, and future through his perspective.  Most importantly, I echo his sentiment that together we are a force that can create a meaningful future for our members and more importantly for those you serve. 

As we embark on the next 40 years, we look forward to carving a future that honors our tradition of innovation and leadership – together.

- Kim Opsahl, JD, President/CEO