1984

Post-Secondary (PS) students part of Brehm student body



1990

Students involved in PS program, living on Brehm campus, participating in Brehm classes and John A. Logan College (JALC) when appropriate
Enrollment: 6



1994-1996

Residential component moved to area town houses; team concept implemented; relationship with JALC strengthened and formalized; curriculum specific to Post-Secondary students developed



1997-1998

PS Extension Program developed and implemented; JALC English classes pre-taught; Vocational Rehabilitation internship from SIU established; students trained in medical-management 



1998-1999

Part-time Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; employability-skills classes developed; full-time Speech Language Pathologist; recreation staff/programming specific to Post-Secondary students implemented; students job shadow; number of pre-taught community college classes increased 



1999-2000

Officially known as OPTIONS Program, rather than just Post-Secondary Program; Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor becomes full-time position; parent conferences move to team meeting concept; additional full-time Independent Living Counselor; students participated in paid and volunteer employment experiences

2000-2001

Moved from the Brehm campus to Bening Building in downtown Carbondale; OPTIONS logo developed; Independent Living staff expanded: first International Spring Break trip to Costa Rica

Enrollment: 13



2001-2002
Employment sites expanded; 1st OPTIONS Parent Association meetings; OPTIONS advertises as separate entity from Brehm Prep; International Spring Break trip to England and Ireland
Enrollment: 17



2002-2003

Synergy with Southern Illinois University (SIU) enhanced as OPTIONS hosts interns from the Rehabilitation Institute; Quarterly progress reports revised and expanded to be comprehensive of all facets of OPTIONS Program; International Spring Break Trip to Austria and Germany
Enrollment: 19



2003-2004

Added full-time instructor; secured additional square footage at Bening Building; contracted with outside agency (Education and Development Center) for driver’s training specifically for persons with disabilities; transportation system expanded; International trip to Amsterdam, Paris & London

Enrollment: 24



2004-2005

Moved to newer town houses within community; position of Independent Living Supervisor added; increased Nursing presence and participation; incorporated WorkSCANS competencies into core curriculum; students and staff raise money for holiday giving to needy in Cario, Illinois; International trip to Italy

2005-2006
Awarded 1st Certificate of Completion: alignment of goals and objectives on quarterly reports with WorkSCANS idenditifed areas; added two townhouses to Independent Living facility; for-credit PED class at Johan A. Logan College incorporated into Recreation Program; International trip to China

2006-2007
Moved to new OPTIONS instructional building; record setting holiday giving; semester long student and staff food drive for needy in Cairo, Illinois; International trip to France

2007-2008
OPTIONS Open House; Full-time OPTIONS JALC Liaison; Speech/Language Fellowship position offered; therapeutic component of team meeting expanded; obtained 2 new vans