OPTIONS Parent-Student Handbook

DCIU OPTIONS – Organized Procedures Toward Integrated Outcomes In Natural Settings

200 Yale Avenue, Morton, PA 19070  |  610-938-9000 ext. 2317

Options 2024-25 Parent/Student Handbook

OPTIONS Values

Mission

The mission of the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, a regional educational service agency, is to provide leadership in the development and delivery of quality, cost-effective programs and services to school communities.

Beliefs

• We believe in our commitment to providing diverse and flexible educational programs and services within a safe environment by fostering the development of learning communities of integrity and excellence.
• We pledge to promote forward-thinking, creativity, and partnerships and to encourage positive change.
• We will seek to maintain our entrepreneurial spirit while developing meaningful goals that indicate the success of our mission.
• Drives strategic forward movement.
• Creates dynamic, innovative solutions.
• Inspires limitless possibilities.
• Understands challenges and aspirations.

Vision

DCIU empowers partnerships that Drive, Create, Inspire, and Understand excellence in education.

DCIU Equity Defined

In Pennsylvania and DCIU, equity is defined as every student, staff, and stakeholder having access to the educational and professional resources and rigor they need at the right moment in their education and profession across race, gender, ethnicity, language, visible and invisible disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family background and/or family income to ensure well-being and self- sufficiency. Our Strategic Priorities reflect this definition.

Purpose of the Manual

This handbook is written for the students and parents of the students attending any and all OPTION programs. It will hopefully provide you with a quick reference for important school information. Information contained in this handbook is current at the time of publication. There may be changes to policies and procedures that occur after publication and distribution. Please refer to www.dciu.org/Page/3393 for the most up to date policies.

OPTIONS Philosophy

We welcome your child to DCIU OPTIONS Transition Services. Transition has been defined as a process involving “a change in status from behaving primarily as a student to assuming emergent independent roles in the community.” OPTIONS is a person-centered program providing opportunities in the community for students to develop the necessary skills, habits, and attitudes for employment, travel, daily living, and recreation and leisure skills. All referrals to OPTIONS are made through the Director of Special Education or Pupil Services when a student’s IEP team believes they are prepared to participate in transition services offered at the Intermediate Unit. All placements are individualized and based on each student’s current needs and goals.

OPTIONS staff is available to attend all assessment and planning activities. The staff wants to work with you and your child’s current school program. As a team, we can help assess the content, direction, and appropriateness of transition services for your child.

We look forward to working with you and empowering your students to achieve success.