STEPPING STONES INC

Admissions Policy:

Any Mentally and Physically handicapped person 18 years of age or older
Referrals made by self, parent/guardian, Human Services Agencies and Public Schools
Recent Medical and Psychological Reports
A visit to the program
Admission Committee will meet to review appropriateness of placement
A 30 day evaluation period
Admission committee will re-convene after the evaluation period to determine appropriate placement

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Mission Related Goals

To assess, increase the individual's level of awareness, participation, independence, and quality of life through individual and group training, so he/she can function in the least restrictive and most normalizing environment possible. Emphasis will be on strengthening independent living skills.
To respect each consumer's human rights; to provide them with the freedom to determine his/her own individual needs and desires; to provide guidance in making constructive choices.
To provide training in self-help skills, communication skills, social skills, recreational/leisure skills, and behavior management.
To provide small and large group training whenever possible at practical and community sites, thus providing opportunities and potential for positive social interaction.
To maintain a professional ongoing relationship with each consumer's immediate family members/authorized representative guardian as respected partners in planning, training and rehabilitation of the clients.

Program Objectives

To meet with parents, guardians or authorized representatives quarterly, annually and whenever necessary to discuss the individual's programs and progress.
To improve the individual's personal hygiene by working daily on this skill; to improve their housekeeping skills by assigning each individual different tasks to work on daily, and teaching simple cooking lessons to the individuals once a week.
To use communicative devices for nonverbal consumers in the program and to have clients to participate in group discussions, one-on-one sessions, educational games, show and tell activities and movies (videos).
To teach proper greetings, table manners and to teach the consumers to read the calendar.
To improve the consumer's physical mobility by having the participate in a wide variety of activities.
To observe the consumer's behavior; to provide the client with an individual time-out when necessary, and to provide reinforcers to improve the consumer's behavior.
To take the consumers out in group to the mall, YMCA, grocery store, parks and other outings.
To read, explain and uphold the client's rights; to allow the consumers to make individual choices throughout the day.

Self-help Skills

Oral Hygiene

Dressing

Undressing

Washing and drying hands

Toileting (as needed)

Shaving

Grooming

Communication Skills

Self-Identification

Language Comprehension

Sensory Perception

Language Development

Social Skills

Social Eating

Social Speech

Personal Welfare

Functioning Academic Skills

Money

Time

Reading

Telephone

Name and Number Recognition

Kitchen Skills
Housekeeping
Work Adjustment
Community Adjustment
Recreation/Leisure Skills

Transportation is provided to and from Stepping Stones, Monday through Friday. for the consumers enrolled in the program. There must be van space available and the consumer must be on the present van route.

The program charges a fee for the services provided. The fee is charged from the first day the consumer is admitted to the program. Several agencies sponsor consumers for services: Piedmont Regional Community Services,
The United Way, Public Schools, and some area churches. It is expected that those who are able to pay will do so. (No person will be refused services for their inability to pay).

     In 1988, the Support Group for Facilities of Handicapped Persons began working towards a Day Support Program for the severely and profoundly mentally handicapped adults coming out of the school system at age 22 who could not function in a workshop setting.
     The Support Group received their Articles of Incorporation that same year and the official name of the Day Support Program was Stepping Stones Inc.
     In 1980, the Support Group wrote letters and made appearances at civic clubs, churches, schools, and other agencies outlining the program and asking for support.
     In 1990, the Support Group visited other day support programs to get ideas and information. Stepping Stones received it's Tax Exempt Status; the Fieldale United Methodist Church offered their facilities to start up Stepping Stones, and the Support Group started working on their major fundraiser which was the Chili Cook-off.
     In 1991, Stepping Stones received it's license from The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board for two years, and Stepping Stones opened in the basement of the Fieldale United Methodist Church with six (6) consumers, a director, training assistant, and an aide.
     In 1995, Stepping Stones moved into a temporary facility located in Martinsville. Due to the growing population, Stepping Stones purchased it's own facility in 1996 in the city of Martinsville.

	"The Path Must Continue"
Piedmont Community Services	"The Path Must Continue"