The first director of the agency was Sherry McGuire. She and Lorinda Fair, the only two employees at the time, began operations with certification to receive funding for only 15 individuals.

In 1987 the agency moved its operation to the old Orendorff Building, located at 115 North Oak. The move was made to accommodate expansion and future growth.

By 1988, the Human Development Center had six employees, but was continuing to struggle financially, despite continual growth. In November 1988, Ms. McGuire left her position as director of the agency. In December 1988, The Board of Directors hired Phillip Rhoades as Executive Director of the Human Development Center.

In 1989, the agency secured certification from the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Division of the Department of Human Service. This opened the door for the funding of a vocational habilitation/rehabilitation program for the chronic mentally ill individuals served by the agency.

On July 9, 1990, the agency filed a new Certificate of Incorporation, changing the agency's name to People Inc. of Sequoyah County. With a new name, and far reaching goals, People Inc. adopted the motto, People Helping People.

As People Inc. grew, the programs and services added were:

July 1991, Community-Based Youth Services providing counseling services to at-risk youth and their families in Sequoyah and Adair Counties.

October 1991, the first Group Home opened with the capacity to house six individuals.

March 1992, the first Supported Living Home opened, housing two individuals from Hissom.

January 1993 , the agency moved to a new building located at 205 South J.T. Stites Boulevard.

June 1994, a contract from Oklahoma Childrens Initiative provided home-based family focus services, day treatment programs, non-residential substance abuse programs, supervised independent living programs, reintegration services, and non-residential diagnostic and evaluation services.

November 1994 , initiated a cooperative effort to work with the first time juvenile offender.

December 1994, expanded the vocational facilities to a new building.

January 1995 , signed a contract for a 12 bed Level E Group Home.

June 1997, began providing family counseling services for individuals who do not meet criteria for other programs.

July 1998, OCI for Child Welfare Services was changed to Oklahoma Children's Services (OCS). This program provides comprehensive home-based services, independent living and home studies.

October 1998 , began operating the Adair County Sheltered Workshop.

November 1998, opened a children's home for developmentally disabled children with a capacity to house four individuals.

January 1999 , received SWIFT adoption contract which provides profiles on adoptive youth.

May 1999, Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse Services provides counseling to individuals in Sequoyah, Cherokee and Adair counties.

June 1999, OCI was changed to Community At Risk Services (CARS) involving individual, family and other counseling services.

February 2001, opened a second Children=s Home for Developmentally Disabled with a capacity to house 4 individuals.

February 2001, purchased the Education Station Daycare and changed the name to Kid's Inc.

July 2001, started drug and alcohol counseling with TANF clients in 9 eastern Oklahoma Counties.

Today, we are governed by a board of Directors which includes:

• Clifford Meece, President
• Dr. James Trudeau, Vice President
• Mickey Campbell, Member
• Addie Griffin, Member
• Ex-Officio Non-voting Members
• Phillip Rhoades, CEO
• Michael A. Daffin, Legal Advisor

We consider the agency to be one which truly does encourage People Helping People. We are focused on being a top-notch service agency dedicated to our fellow man, regardless of race, color, creed, or belief. Being a community-based provider means we focus on the needs of our community first, not necessarily that of the state or federal entities.