BrightStone is a day program in Franklin, TN that provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to learn, gain social skills, and vocational skills. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.
Program Information
BrightStone has many programs offered that participants have the opportunity to participate in:
Vocational Training: Participants have the opportunity to learn vocational skills and productive work habits.
PATH: A fifteen month program rotating between 4 different job sites along with afternoon classroom instruction on how to advocate for themselves on the job, practicing scenarios that may come up in the work place, and other job skills. At the end of the program, they will get a certificate with all of the skills they have acquired. They also participate in potential job visits and have an opportunity to be apart of a leadership club.
Lifelong Learning: This program gives participants opportunities to continue to enhance their knowledge of topics such as functional math and reading, general thinking skills, true life applications, social skills, good manners and respect for others, etc.
There is a flex program for newer participants to make the transition to the day program easier. The flex program members move as a group throughout the day and have added support until they feel comfortable transitioning to the day program curriculum.
Once a month, BrightStone, Autism Career Training, and MOVE Inclusive all come together to have a social club with dancing, games, activities, and food.
*Participants can have their contracted physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc. come for treatments upon request while in the day program, but BrightStone does not provide their own therapists for participants.
Participants are requried to provide their own transportation to and from the day program.
BrightStone has future plans to have a supported employment program that can help day program participants find employment along with providing job coaches for them to make the transition smoother.
It is located in Franklin, TN at 3000 BrightStone Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37064.
BrightStone is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 3:30pm.
No, participants can join the day program from two to five days per week depending on preference and availability.
Yes, meals and snacks are provided each day, but participants can bring their own lunch if they do not want to eat the food that day. They take dietary restrictions and allergies into consideration when planning meals.
There are 50 participants in the program.
BrightStone may be a good fit for you if:
You are looking to improve your independence
You want to continue learning new things in a comfortable environment
You are wanting to participate in the community while also socializing with peers
You want to continue living at home while having activities throughout the day
You may not have the desire to get a job or go to college after graduating and want to have other activities to do during the day
You are wanting to discover their interests and goals for the future
You live in the Franklin, TN area
To qualify for Possibility Place, you have to be:
At least 22 years old (can apply before this time so that you can be put on the waitlist, but they suggest you wait until after graduating from high school to apply)
Have a documented developmental disability
No history of elopement or physical aggression
*unable to provide full-time, one-on-one support
You can begin the application process by filling out a admissions inquiry form at: https://brightstone.org/future-students/
1. Admissions Inquiry Form: Begin by filling out a form at https://brightstone.org/future-students/. Once this is completed, a staff member will reach out to answer questions and to begin the rest of the admissions process.
2. Tour: After communicating with a staff member, they will help to set up a tour if they feel that BrightStone is a good fit.
3. Application: After a tour, the applicant will receive a formal application to fill out.
4. Interview: The applicant will got through an interview process with a parent/guardian, Program Coordinator and/or Executive Director and anyone from the Admissions Committee.
5. Trial Period: If the Admissions Committee decides to continue moving forward, the applicant will have 3 trial visits where the teachers can evaluate them on what kind of support they may need and if they adjust well to the environment.
5. Admissions Committee Recommendation: The Admissions Committee will make a decision and will recommend either further evaluation is needed, services cannot be provided at this time, or that the applicant will be accepted on a probationary basis.
6. Probationary Period: Students will have a 3 month probation period, and at the end of this period, a review is conducted to make sure that BrightStone can meet the needs of the student.
*Applicants may be placed on a waitlist if there is not space available at that time, but can be taken off the waitlist and admitted once space opens up.
There is an $150 applicant fee.
Pricing is dependent on how many days the participant chooses to attend.
For specific pricing, contact BrightStone at Susan.Sistrunk@BrightStone.org
BrightStone only accepts private pay and does not qualify for ECF or state waivers.
They do have a scholarship fund that day program participants can apply to based on need.
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you still have unanswered questions, you can contact:
Susan Sistrunk, Director of Programs - Susan.Sistrunk@BrightStone.org
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at: https://brightstone.org/
Can I take a tour of BrightStone?
Yes, a tour will be given as a part of the admissions process after an admissions inquiry form is submitted.
You can also contact Elaine Farmer at (615) 790-4888 or elaine.farmer@brightstone.org to set up a tour.
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow BrightStone on Instagram @brightstonetn and like them on Facebook at BrightStone!