OPTIONS | Transitions to Independence
About OPTIONS
A Structured Bridge From High School to Independent Adulthood
OPTIONS is a transition program after high school for students with learning differences who are capable of growth but still need structured support to manage college, employment, and adult responsibilities consistently.
A confidential first conversation about readiness, support needs, and program fit.
Who OPTIONS Is Designed to Support
OPTIONS serves young adults who have completed high school or an equivalent credential and are ready to continue developing the academic, employment, independent living, communication, and social skills required for college, vocational training, work, and adult life. The program is designed for students who can grow toward greater independence but benefit from coordinated structure while those skills become more consistent.
A Structured Bridge to Adulthood
The program integrates academics, vocational development, communication support, and independent living rather than treating them as separate services. Student performance, demonstrated competencies, interests, and readiness inform programming decisions so support can be individualized while expectations remain connected to real adult outcomes.
A College-Town Environment for Adult Practice
OPTIONS is based in Carbondale, Illinois, where students can practice independence around colleges, workplaces, apartments, transportation, shopping, recreation, and other community settings. The environment supports a bridge-to-adulthood model because students are learning in the same kinds of places they will need to navigate after the program.
Why OPTIONS Exists
A Bridge Between School Support and Adult Responsibility
Many capable young adults leave high school with goals for college, work and independence but still need structured practice to make those goals sustainable. OPTIONS brings academic, vocational, communication and independent living development into one coordinated transition program so students can practice adult responsibilities without being expected to master everything at once.
- Individualized programming based on demonstrated performance
- College-town access in Carbondale, Illinois
- Real community, workplace and post-secondary environments
- A progression model that increases responsibility over time
Explore the OPTIONS System
Go Deeper Into This Part of the Program
Each area is connected to the same goal: helping students build a personal and sustainable level of independence.
Campus & Community
See how Carbondale, Southern Illinois University, John A. Logan College, workplaces, and community resources become part of the learning environment.
Explore Campus & Community →History of OPTIONS
Learn how OPTIONS developed from a post-high-school need into an integrated transition-to-adulthood model.
Explore Our History →Faculty & Staff
Meet the professionals who coordinate academic, vocational, communication, independent living, and student support.
Meet the OPTIONS Team →How Support Evolves
Understand the Standard, Modified, and Extension phases and how responsibility increases as direct support decreases.
See the Program Model →Connected Support
How This Connects Across OPTIONS
OPTIONS is part of a broader post-secondary transition program for young adults with learning disabilities centered on real-world independence.
Support evolves through our structured three-phase transition model for young adults.
Students engage in integrated academic support designed for post-secondary transition.
Many students benefit from our employment-centered vocational pathway.
Independence is practiced daily within our supported independent living environment.
Start a Conversation
A Clearer Path Forward Starts With Understanding Fit
OPTIONS does not expect independence all at once. An admissions conversation is a practical first step to understand readiness, support needs, and whether the program aligns with your student.
Admissions Conversation
Begin with a confidential conversation focused on fit, not pressure.
Start a ConversationQuestions about readiness, timing, academics, living, or vocational pathways are welcome.
admissionsinfo@brehm.org