We promote the development of job skills with the ultimate goal of paid jobs either out in the community, or through the Stepping Stone CO-OP. As members of the Stepping Stone CO-OP, participants are empowered to run their own business, making decisions while working as a team. The participants will have opportunities to engage in vocational training alongside their peers to build their resume and expand their abilities. Stepping Stone believes that with responsibility and encouragement, each participant can grow and display their unique skills. We are committed to help each participant gain the skills they need to reach their maximum potential in the working world. Check out our CO-OP page on the website to see all our amazing CO-OP teams, products, and services!

Participants work on social skills and life skills. This might be doing exercise classes and working on their health and fitness or taking special interest classes. We also do a lot of fun group activities to foster relationships with peers and community members.

We encourage the participants to access the community so that they can grow in social skills, develop community relationships and work on community safety skills.

Participants can attend online classes throughout the week, both during the day and evening classes to work on job skills, life skills, and social skills.

Participants have the opportunity to sign up for events as they choose to attend evening and weekend activities with peers.

Assistance with basic tasks around the house such as cleanliness, laundry, meal preparation, household safety with the goal of the greatest possible autonomy at home for each participant.

Assistance with daily living tasks such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, budgeting, healthy eating, bathing, toileting, and appropriate clothing. Stepping Stone encourages staff to allow participants to express themselves while mentoring them on what is generally appropriate.

Assists participants with realistic thinking, appropriate interactions with others, self-advocacy, social and relationship difficulties, safety, problem-solving, advising and modeling behaviors. Stepping Stone believes that each participant is an adult and can and should make decisions for themselves. Stepping Stone's staff will model realistic methods and goals in that process.

Stepping Stone understands the need to provide a caregiver a break and ensures that each participant will be kept safe during that time. We provide hourly as well as overnight respite.

Participants can qualify for these services when they move into an independent setting. These services are only good for 365 days.

Life Skills: Maintain ability to live independently in the community

Peer Mentorship: Promote self-advocacy and encourage community living

Stepping Stone Support Center offers a range of Residential service models to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here's a breakdown of the residential service models we currently offer:

A Host Home provider provides 24/7 live-in support in a family- or roommate-style environment for individuals with needs that do not allow them to safely live independently—similar to foster care but for adults with IDD, Host Home providers offer 24-hour assistance, addressing medical, behavioral, and other essential needs.

Each home serves a maximum of three individuals—each with their own bedroom. Placement involves an extensive process ensuring compatibility and comfort, including provider/participant matching for long-term success. Individuals visit potential providers, stay overnight, and make an informed decision before selecting a Host Home setting.

Host Home services are contracted for one year, with the option for continuous renewal if desired by all parties. In addition to compensation for care, Host Home providers receive a Room & Board stipend to help cover expenses for the person—such as rent, household supplies, and food. Host Home providers are not required to own their home to offer this service model.

This model provides live-in support in the individual's home to offer a caring, housemate-style environment. Individuals have 24-hour access to live-in staff, with more freedom than a host home, when suitable. Individuals typically reside in their own home, with the provider moving in. Room & Board rates do not apply, and individuals are responsible for their own financial obligations. *Sometimes referred to as a Reverse Host Home.

Individuals live on their own or with housemates, receiving scheduled supports from Life Skills Coaches based on their needs and funding. When appropriate, Stepping Stone offers a per diem budget to support the individuals' goals for independent living.

Individuals live in their family home with a family member who becomes an employee or independent contractor through Stepping Stone Support Center and is compensated to provide support services. HCPF/CMS does not have a separate set of rules and regulations for Family Caregiver staff; family caregivers are bound to the same minimum training and documentation requirements as non-family caregivers.

This service is for individuals living at home who won't use the Family Caregiver option. They receive dedicated hourly services from a Stepping Stone Life Skills Coach. Family may still offer assistance as a natural support, and there's 24-hour emergency access to a manager. Some individuals combine this model with Family Caregiver services to fulfill all Residential service hours allotted to the person.

Stepping Stone directly contracts with the family or individual seeking services. Residential services are not waiver-funded under this model. It offers unique flexibility driven by individual preferences, similar to other service options outlined above.

Participants can qualify for this service when they move into an independent setting. This service is only good for 365 days.

Peer Mentorship: This service promotes self-advocacy and encouragse community living.