Discover a World of Independence
OPTIONS (Optimizing Potential Through Individualized Ongoing Nurtured Successes) offers a comprehensive boarding program for post-secondary students with learning disabilities, attention disorders, language-based disorders, and/or executive functioning deficits. We service students who need to further develop their independent living, social, employment, and academic skills through individualized instruction and assistance. With the help of OPTIONS instructors, Independent Living Counselors, and specialized academic coaches, our students are successfully guided through speech and language courses, core academic strategies, college preparation and participation, social strategies, employment readiness classes, and community-based internships. As students transition through the program’s phases, they acquire and refine the tools necessary for an independent life.
OPTIONS Transitions to Independence has been empowering students for over twenty-five years. Initially housed on the Brehm Preparatory School campus, OPTIONS has evolved and expanded its services to provide students with comprehensive support within a collegiate atmosphere that advances their accomplishments and cultivates lifelong learning.
Highlights
Mission
OPTIONS Transitions to Independence is a post-secondary transitional program that aims to empower students with learning disabilities and differences. Our specialized services encourage—and teach—students to recognize, optimize, and utilize their potential throughout their lives.
Individualized Instruction
Our core curriculum is designed to introduce students to a wide range of skills while providing them with individualized support services. As students learn to identify their strengths and acquire new strategies for success, they progress toward one of two programming tracks: the College Transition track or the Vocational Track.
Transition Levels
Students at OPTIONS progress through three phases. Each individual begins in the Standard Phase, which is designed to assess their aptitudes and needs. As they learn various self-management skills and demonstrate the capacity for independence, they move into the Modified Phase. Gradually, and with the support of our staff, they can move into the Extension Phase, in which they experience real-world responsibilities with supportive guidance from staff.
OPTIONS life development program emphasizes independent living, life skills, self-advocacy skills, well-rounded interpersonal skills, community linkages, employ-ability, and career development strategies. With the help of OPTIONS instructors, Independent Living Counselors, and specialized academic coaches, our students are successfully guided through speech and language courses, core academic skills, college preparation and participation, social skills, employment readiness classes, and community-based internships.
OPTIONS offers two different tracks: a College Transition track with our partner – John A. Logan College, and a Vocational Track, which includes a variety of vocational concentrations. Both offer intensive assistance, structured supervision, and supported study hours. Our mission is to empower students with complex learning disabilities and differences to recognize and optimize their potential throughout their lifetime. We advance independence by optimizing our students’ full potential so that they may lead happy, independent, productive lives.
In addition to the two tracks offered by OPTIONS, other areas of focus include:
In addition to the two tracks offered by OPTIONS, other areas of focus include:
- Accountability for actions
- Emotional coping skills
- Follow-through and preparedness
- Honesty and integrity
- Interpersonal communication
- Meal planning, shopping, and preparation
- Money management, fiscal responsibility and budgeting
- Organization
- Organization of personal space
- Personal hygiene
- Safe behavior
- Self-advocacy
- Self-management
- Social strategies
- Time management
- Accountability for actions
- Emotional coping skills
- Follow-through and preparedness
- Honesty and integrity
- Interpersonal communication
- Meal planning, shopping, and preparation
- Money management, fiscal responsibility and budgeting
- Organization
- Organization of personal space
- Personal hygiene
- Safe behavior
- Self-advocacy
- Self-management
- Social strategies
- Time management
The OPTIONS Team
OPTIONS team members communicate with one another daily. We also join together at weekly meetings to share insights into our students’ progress and which strategies are working best for them. Additionally, we examine the difficulties they may encounter. At times, a number of smaller situations may be pieced together to reveal a more comprehensive and sensitive understanding of our students’ experiences and needs. Solutions are then formulated and strategies are put into action in order to resolve problems and foster student growth—a collaborative effort that is much like assembling a puzzle with partners. This process meticulously documented and our staff are committed to following up with one another, with students, and with families to confirm progress. Such dedicated communication forms the basis for the delivery of quality services to OPTIONS students and is the reason for our consistent growth.
Parents & Families
OPTIONS parents and families are integral members of the OPTIONS team.
OPTIONS prides itself on clear, frequent, and open communication with students and families. Therefore, families of OPTIONS students can expect regular communications from our team. Each student’s advisor schedules consistent communications with families, and comprehensive progress reports are shared each quarter. OPTIONS also hosts Parent and Family Conferences twice each year—once in the fall and and once spring. These events present opportunities to meet with advisors and other members of the OPTIONS Team in order to nourish family connections and involvement, which are paramount to student success.
