Eligibility Requirements
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Eligibility Requirements
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StepStone
Eligibility: Participation in StepStone is by referral only. Victims' advocates and case managers in domestic violence or emergency shelters such as Catholic Charities Harbor House and the Wichita YWCA Women's Crisis Center refer families to StepStone during their short-term stay in the shelter. Women accepted into the StepStone program must be motivated to make positive changes in their lives.
StepStone participants must be survivors of domestic violence over the age of 18 and must be referred by a domestic violence program. They must be employed (if able), have the ability to pay rent on a sliding fee scale, and be able to order utilities in their own name. It is permissible to work part time if the client is pursuing further education or vocational training. StepStone accepts both single women and those with children.
Additional requirements: Clients must be willing to permanently sever their relationship with their abusive partner. They must comply with all protection from abuse orders, "no contact" orders and other legal restrictions. They must also maintain their homes and yards satisfactorily.
All clients are required to work with the family advocate to develop an individual service plan, and attend weekly individual sessions with the program advocate. After the first three months, meetings with the family advocate are determined by the individual service plan.
Women and all children in StepStone are required to attend group support meetings twice a month. Parents participate in presentations and discussions related to domestic violence. Children are divided into groups where they participate in age-appropriate activities, games and discussions on topics that align with those of the parents.
