StepStone Family & Youth Services

We try to match our children with families that share their culture and suit their needs. But taking in a child from a different culture is also an opportunity to incorporate traditions that will make them feel safe and comfortable in their new home. Here are some traditions that may be important to your child if they come from a Jewish background: 🕯️ Shabbat: From sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, Shabbat is a weekly day of rest. Many families use this time to unplug from screens, light candles, and share a special meal featuring braided Challah bread. 🍽️ Keeping Kosher: Some people who practice Judaism follow Kosher dietary guidelines. While the strictness varies, it generally involves avoiding certain foods (like pork and shellfish) and never mixing meat and dairy in the same meal. 🫶 Tzedakah: In many Jewish households, you will find a small box or tin specifically dedicated to collecting Tzedakah, which translates to righteous giving or charity. Families often make a habit of dropping a few coins into the box before lighting Shabbat candles. Ask your child what traditions their family followed, and try to incorporate them into your home!

We're proud to employ veterans like Joan, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Joan’s dedication to duty is a value we cherish and seek in our team members. We're committed to honoring veterans and their families by providing meaningful employment opportunities. We offer flexible schedules, career advancement opportunities, a VETS Affinity Group, and nationwide transfer options should the need to relocate arise. Join our team in making a difference in people’s lives and communities. Learn more and apply at https://nuvi.me/zfpgw0

Foster care can seem complicated, but children's needs are often quite simple. They want love, a home, and, according to Ariana Rodriguez, to be listened to.

At StepStone, we employ veterans from all branches of our military. Because no matter where you served, there are values and skills we look for that translate across the armed forces. Resilience, adaptability, conscientiousness, and a heart for service: These are all incredibly important for working for child welfare. Apply your skills in an environment that needs you. See our open job opportunities here: https://nuvi.me/2odzyi

One of the biggest rewards of fostering teens is seeing the glimpses of the adult they will become. This is a key time in a child’s life when they are preparing to graduate high school and start their careers. Help instill key skills, such as responsibility, integrity, compassion, and resilience. There is a teen in your community who needs your guidance. Get started here: https://nuvi.me/v56xdc

In many Asian American communities, the titles of “Aunty” and “Uncle” are not restricted to blood relatives. They are titles given to family friends, neighbors, and elders. This concept from Asian American communities reminds us of what we see in our work: Foster parents, neighbors, and mentors recognize children in the community as their responsibility, banding together to ensure they have love and security. Happy AAPI Month! We celebrate the contributions of Asian American cultures to our communities and appreciate the lessons they teach us.

How do you calm your child down if they’re having a moment? Children who have experienced trauma may have big reactions to stressful events. Before you can ask them what’s going on, you may have to calm them down. This is something you can do together! Here are some places to start: 1. Remove the child from the stimulating situation and calmly sit together. 2. Practice breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. 3. Try a calming tool, such as a squeezable putty, or a repetitive behavior, such as rocking in a chair. Then the real work of processing their emotions can begin!

Our organization champions the continuous development of our staff. We support our employees' journey in skill advancement and career fulfillment. This commitment is underscored by our partnerships with esteemed colleges and universities nationwide. We're proud to feature our partnership with Indiana Institute of Technology where qualifying employees receive a 20% tuition discount.* Advance your career and education with us! Apply now at https://nuvi.me/kafurp *Terms and conditions may apply.

You don’t know what fostering is truly like until you try it. You won’t experience the excitement of a child opening up to you, the triumph of seeing them accomplish something new, or the joys of watching them be a kid unless you try. Discover all the good things about foster care: https://nuvi.me/f2ivyv

"Mom” is a title our foster moms wear with honor. You open up your homes and your hearts in the hopes that children will find comfort in your care. And when they do, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. Thank you for your willingness to share your love and for the effort you put into earning your kids’ trust. Happy Mother’s Day!