The My Stepping Stones program consists of multiple consecutive “stepping stones.”  The qualifications to graduate from each stepping stone will be along a continuum of growth leading to independence.  It is also a residential program.  You will live in an apartment or house either in Seminole or Orange county in Florida.  And you will be expected to go to school and hold a part-time job so that your family’s needs are taken care of.

There will be multiple benefits being involved in our program.

1. You will have a stable and healthy living environment in which to raise your child/children.
2. You will qualify for high paying jobs.
3. You will get to know God in a way that you have not known Him before.
4. You will build relationships and develop a private support network, much like that which is provided by a large loving family.

The short answer is that you will not pay anything to My Stepping Stones for attending the program.

Being in My Stepping Stones will not cost you anything that you wouldn’t already have to pay while living on your own and attending school or job training.

You must…

1. be a single parent with at least one child under the age of 18 in your care
2. have financial need
3. have a high school diploma or a GED or be actively working on it
4. be receiving Food Stamps (if you qualify)

In short, our program provides a permanent solution – an individualized path out of poverty that will change the multigenerational trajectory of your family’s future. 

You will be required to…

1. be open, honest, and cooperative
2. study and work hard (in all classes)
3. hold a part-time job and provide for your family
4. attend church and Bible studies
5. change the behaviors and attitudes that have kept you in poverty

Several key things could disqualify someone from entering the program.

1.  Lying or withholding important information
2. Unmanageable financial debt
3. Past felony conviction of violent crime or child abuse
4. An open case with DCF (Department of Children and Families)
5. Language barriers
6. Current violent behaviors and/or addiction
7. Unresolved history of child abuse or neglect, attempted suicide or suicidal thoughts
8. A history of fire setting, aggressive behavior, cruelty to children and animals

Yes.  Several services are available for your child(ren).

1. Free or reduced priced childcare will be provided for hours that you are in class or at work only.  (This is subject to volunteer availability.)
2. If your child is old enough to understand Bible teaching, Bible classes will be provided.
3. Your child will be required to participate in age-appropriate classes at your church.
4. Indirectly your child will benefit from several skills classes that you will take, such as parenting, financial management, interpersonal skills, and conflict resolution.

Yes.  Our program is centered around you becoming capable of providing for your child.  You will not be asked to give up your child while working on that.

No.  You are welcome to have a car IF you can afford it (AND the state-required insurance.)  But your housing will specifically be located where there is infrastructure that will allow you to exist without a car.

Your child(ren) must…

1. be signed up for Child Support from your child’s father/children’s father(s)
2. be signed up for Medicaid if they qualify
3. be signed up for WIC if applicable
4. be signed up for Early Learning Coalition – School Readiness (if applicable)

Several key things would preceed a dismissal from the program.

1. Marriage, or an adult partner (of either sex) moving in with you
2. Loss of custody of all of your children, or your youngest child turning 18
3. Lying or withholding important information
4. Unwillingness to take responsibility for your own actions (or lack of actions)
5. Violent behaviors, addiction, child abuse or neglect, attempted suicide or suicidal thoughts, fire setting, aggressive behavior, cruelty to children and animals