About Us

Stepping Stones Foster Care Inc. is a foster care agency licensed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) to provide care for children and youth under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act and Licensing Regulations. Yearly audits by the ministry and placing agencies ensure the compliance of the standards and our licence renewal.

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SSFC first opened its doors to children on August 31, 2003. Our children range in ages from birth to 21 years of age. Stepping Stones provides Foster homes, Therapeutic & Specialized homes, and Staff Modelled homes dedicated to enhancing the well-being of every individual in our care, regardless of their background. Through a combination of supportive in-house and community-based programming, we strive to help each child and youth realize their full potential. We are equally committed to supporting our foster parents and staff by providing ongoing assistance, supervision, and training to empower them to deliver exceptional care to the children and youth they welcome into their homes. 

 

Philosophy:

 

At Stepping Stones, our philosophy centres on the belief that every child and youth is deserving of care, safety, and the opportunity for personal growth, regardless of their background or past experiences. We prioritize the establishment of strong, therapeutic relationships between youth and caregivers, recognizing the profound impact of attachment on emotional and psychological development and well-being. 

  

We are committed to a holistic approach that integrates trauma-informed practices, cultural competence, and individualized care plans. This philosophy emphasizes the importance of creating safe environments where youth can express themselves, learn vital skills, and heal from trauma. By fostering a sense of safety and stability, we empower youth to develop resilience, pursue their dreams, and engage actively in their own care and decision-making processes while still enabling a sense of leadership by the adults charged with their care. 

 

Our guiding principles—Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, cognitive restructuring, positive role modeling, trauma-responsive modeling and care, and appreciation of cultural diversity—serve as the foundation for all our programs. We believe in the critical role of modeling family, community, and educational support in the development of each child.

 

Through ongoing training and support for our foster parents and staff, we ensure that they are equipped to provide exceptional care, fostering an environment that nurtures healthy growth and empowerment.

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Ultimately, our philosophy aims to create pathways to success for every child, enabling them to thrive, build meaningful and healthy relationships, and transition into adulthood with the skills and support they need to lead fulfilling lives. 

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Our Five Main Principles: 

 

1.  Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Every individual deserves to feel safe and be free from abuse and neglect. Once a child feels secure, they can embark on their journey toward self-actualization. 

 

2.  Cognitive Restructuring: We aim to assist children and youth in transforming their thought patterns about themselves and their reactions to internal and external influences. 

 

3.  Positive Role Modelling: As parents, staff, and counsellors, our actions are continually observed. Thus, we must consistently model positive, healthy behaviours and actions in all our interactions. 

 

4.  Behaviour Management: Managing behaviour is essential within our framework; however, we emphasize an attachment-based and trauma-informed approach, integrating harm reduction strategies to address the complex mental health needs of the youth in our care. By understanding the profound effects of trauma on development and the importance of forming secure attachments, we develop trauma-responsive methods that prioritize the emotional well-being and safety of each child. This involves creating safe and supportive environments where youth can expect consistency, express themselves safely and learn to regulate and manage their behaviours constructively. Our focus is not on disciplining or consequencing maladaptative behaviours, but on modelling and correcting in order to foster resilience and healing through meaningful relationships. We do this by ensuring interventions are compassionate, respectful, responsive and mindful of everyone’s unique experiences and needs. 

 

5.  Cultural Diversity: Our case management approach recognizes and celebrates the diverse cultural backgrounds of the youth we serve. We strive to incorporate cultural competence into our support services, ensuring that each youth’s cultural identity is respected and integrated into their care plan