Faculty & Staff at OPTIONS
A Team Focused on Adult Readiness
At OPTIONS Transitions to Independence, students are supported by a multidisciplinary team focused specifically on post-secondary transition.
This is not a traditional school staffing model.
Our educators, clinicians, and coaches specialize in what happens after high school — when structure shifts, expectations rise, and independence must be practiced, not just discussed.
Each role exists to strengthen one central outcome: sustainable adult independence.
An Integrated Team Model
Transition to adulthood is not one service. It is coordination.
At OPTIONS, students are supported by:
- Academic faculty and instructors
- College and vocational specialists
- Speech & Language Pathologists
- Independent Living coaches
- Clinical and student support leadership
- Admissions and program administration
- These roles do not operate separately. They collaborate consistently.
This ensures students receive aligned expectations and reinforced skill development across classrooms, apartments, employment settings, and community experiences.
Support is coordinated — not fragmented.
- Administration & Program Leadership
- Faculty & Instructors
- Faculty & Instructors
- Faculty & Instructors
- Independent Living & Extension Support
Program leadership oversees:
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Student services
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Transition planning
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Admissions and enrollment
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Cross-department collaboration
Leadership ensures that academic, residential, and vocational programming remain aligned with the program’s mission: gradual independence.
Faculty focus on applied academic growth.
Rather than teaching isolated content, instructors emphasize:
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Strategy use
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Organization and executive functioning
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Skill transfer across environments
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Self-advocacy in academic settings
The goal is not just coursework completion — it is independent performance.
College & Vocational Specialists
These staff members guide students through the practical steps of adult transition.
They support:
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College readiness and coursework navigation
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Accommodation use in higher education
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Career exploration and goal clarification
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Internship placement
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Workplace expectations and follow-through
Work is treated as a meaningful adult outcome — not a secondary option.
Speech & Language Pathologists
Communication is foundational to independence.
Speech & Language Pathologists support students in:
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Social-pragmatic communication
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Executive functioning strategies
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Language organization
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Self-advocacy and expressive clarity
For many students, stronger communication skills unlock independence more than academic tutoring alone.
Independent Living Coaches work directly within residential settings to reinforce:
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Daily routines
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Time management
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Personal responsibility
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Budgeting and organization
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Conflict resolution
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Community engagement
Extension staff support students taking coursework at local colleges and universities, helping bridge academic expectations with ongoing structure and coaching.
Monica Spiegel, LPC
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Jocelyn Keehn
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JESSICA JENKINS, MSW
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Donna Collins
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Victoria Ruggeri, M.S., CCC-SLP,
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KELLY VAUGHN, M.S. Ed
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Jeff Vincent
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Jeff Bilyeu
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KRISTIN GLENN, M.A., LCPC, ATR-BC, NCC
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Scott Donovan, B.S
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Shared Expertise, Distinct Programs
Some staff members also serve within Brehm Preparatory School, bringing deep experience in understanding how students with learning differences learn and grow.
While Brehm and OPTIONS are distinct programs, this shared expertise strengthens continuity and insight across the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Collaboration Is the Standard
Staff members collaborate regularly to:
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Monitor student progress
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Adjust support levels
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Align goals across environments
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Reinforce skill development consistently
Students are supported by a team, not a single individual — ensuring no aspect of growth happens in isolation.
Want to Learn More About Our Team?
Our staff are happy to answer questions and help families understand how support is structured at OPTIONS.