Stepping Stones Family Services

SSFS provides free diapers, wipes, child care items, groups and classes to families in need. Program Description

The goal of Stepping Stones Family Home is to provide young mothers/pregnant teens that can no longer live at their home, with a family style supportive living environment. This environment will be enriched with teaching parenting skills, child development skills, budgeting, healthy li

ving, family role modeling, career preparation and job skills necessary in providing them with a means to long term economic independence. Stepping Stones Family Home aims to impact the growth and development of the teenage mother and child’s social emotional well-being as well as teaching the mother proper child development. Unique and Different

Studies show that as many as 60 percent of teenage mothers are living below the poverty line and 80 percent rely on welfare for support during at least some period of time following their child’s birth. A U.S Department of Health and Human Services study states “the impoverished circumstances of teenage mothers are exacerbated by the fact that many have limited academic skills, have dropped out of high school, and come from backgrounds with few role models or opportunities for improving their lives.” Homeless young mothers experience great difficulty finding a place to live with their children due to most homeless shelters, women’s shelters and transitional living programs catering to the over 18 demographic and typically not accepting young children. The main focus of Stepping Stones Family Home is to create a family style environment that will prepare mother and child for the distinct set of challenges that they will face as single parents, by equipping them with the tools they need to be successful in overcoming those challenges. Mothers will be provided with connections to community services, family role modeling, and a chance to grow intellectually as well as emotionally through a tiered style of living which encourages responsibility and independence. Stepping Stones Family Home offers a unique program design to help ensure success for both mother and baby. Living in a family style home with staff, the young mothers will be provided with their own room for themselves and their baby. They will share a kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. As the mothers complete program required classes and demonstrate growing responsibility, they will graduate to separate dorm style living on the property with one “house mother,”who will oversee day to day activities. Finally, the mothers will prepare for independent living as they move to their own apartments and are assigned a case manager who will be able to provide follow-up checks, guidance and supervision as mother and baby begin to navigate the “real world.” Stepping Stones Family Home believe that the tiered approach best prepares the mothers for life outside the program, and offers mother and child concrete steps toward their continued success.