OPTIONS Transition to Work

The Delaware County Intermediate Unit's OPTIONS program offers comprehensive transition services to support students and adults with disabilities in developing essential skills for employment and independent community living. Established in 1985, OPTIONS provides a range of services tailored to individual needs, including: 

Vocational and Situational Assessment Services – DCIU OPTIONS Vocational and Situational Assessments Programs provide students 15 years old and above with information to assist the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team in developing an individual transition plan that merges a student’s interests and abilities. Assessments are part of a multi-disciplinary evaluation. 

OPTIONS Community Living and Learning Program (CLL) provides hands-on, real-life-experience training in the community. Participants develop independent living skills by improving their social skills, problem-solving and decision-making techniques, and by learning to make use of available community resources. Participants receive training, practice, and experience in a diverse array of crucial social and self-advocacy skills required for independent living. In this unique community-based setting, students develop daily living skills, including budgeting, banking, cooking, cleaning, simple maintenance, and decorating. They learn to access community resources, including banks, post offices, retail stores, libraries, and recreational facilities. Students in the OPTIONS Community-Based program develop an increased awareness of and confidence in community living. They practice pedestrian safety, awareness of potential dangers, and strategies to use if faced with uncomfortable situations. 

OPTIONS Students Acquiring Independent Living Skills (SAILS) is a community-based program with a smaller student/teacher ratio in a community setting. SAILS is designed to increase the independent living and social interactions of young adults with a suggested minimum age of 17 with a variety of disabilities, including autism, who upon graduation could be expected to live semi-independently and/or participate in supported employment. The emphasis is on the acquisition and application of functional and age-appropriate skills in a naturalistic context. Students will receive intensive training in functional daily living skills and community access to develop and/or enhance their present skills. 

OPTIONS Travel Instruction Program provides students with intensive, one-on-one instruction in multiple phases on how to travel safely and independently within the community, including the use of public transportation. This greatly expands job opportunities for students and increases their access to community recreational facilities and programs. 

OPTIONS Employability Skills Training Program provides non-paid training opportunities for students with disabilities from the fifteen Delaware County School Districts. The school IEP team, as part of the mandated transition planning, determines the appropriate services. Students are assessed for their abilities to follow directions, solve problems and work independently for increasingly longer periods of time. OPTIONS emphasize appropriate social behavior. The OPTIONS team works with each student to target the skills and strengths that are helpful in preparing for long-term employment activities. 

OPTIONS Enhanced Employment Opportunities Program provides services to assist students to prepare for long-term employment. Identified students begin with part-time jobs to expand and refine their employability skills. When students are employed, a job coach works with each student at specific sites. Afterward, the coach visits periodically to assure continued success. The coach is available to address issues and concerns as they arise. Students may work year-round and are available to work weekends and holidays when needed. Students’ progress through the various OPTIONS Employment Programs is dependent on individual needs. Some go from training to paid employment then back again. Others are involved in both simultaneously. Employers help us assess which skills the students need to develop. 

College Support Program is a transition program on a college campus to support students that are academically prepared to seek a degree or certification from a post-secondary institution but may require intensive support to handle the social and emotional demands of a college environment. The program will provide support for students aged 17-21 and will offer services that are outside the scope of typical student supports. 

OPTIONS Adult Programs – Since 1994, under a contract with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), OPTIONS has provided assessment, job development, and coaching support for clients who are no longer covered under the umbrella of Special Education Services. Since 1995, DCIU has provided extended supported employment services to the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD). Because OVR services are time-limited, customers who require less than 20% job coaching support and are eligible are referred to OIDD or other agencies for follow-along services. OPTIONS provide Home and Habilitation services, as well. 

By offering these services, the OPTIONS program strives to empower individuals to achieve greater independence and success in their post-school endeavors.