Orange Grove adding home in Ringgold

Orange Grove is preparing to open its first residential home in Catoosa County, Georgia, to offer housing and independent living skills and options for those with developmental disabilities.

Orange Grove started providing services in Georgia with approval by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities in 2012, and now supports more than 100 individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in North Georgia.

But the first home in Catoosa County was only recently purchased at 3990 Boynton Drive from the family of Hugh Harris, owner of Farm to Fork Restaurant in Ringgold.

Orange Grove worked in partnership with Catoosa County government to remodel the home and ensure it was ready to apply for licensure as a community living arrangement from the Georgia Department of Community Health. Licensure was granted in September. Tera Roberts, CEO for Orange Grove, said the nonproft continues to work with the state regulators to achieve full licensure for residential services.

The house will be home to three people supported by Orange Grove, who will have staff available to help them grow their independent living skills and offer opportunities for further community inclusion.

“We are thrilled that we are finally able to offer these critical residential services to people and families who need it,” Roberts said in an announcement of the new home. “Expanding services in Georgia has been an important part of our strategic planning since we first opened an office there, and we are fortunate to have so many partners to help bring this dream to life. Their advice and support have been critical to our success in taking this next big step.”