Apply for an iPad 2 Grant!

How cool is this? Autism Speaks has announced an opportunity for individuals with autism to receive an Apple iPad 2! Go to the Autism Cares website by clicking here to get more info and to find out how to apply! Information is also listed below but you must go to the Autism Cares website and begin the application process. Good luck!

Technology Grant

Autism Speaks is thrilled to announce that through the generosity of Sevenly.org and the James W. Pickle Foundation, 625 financially disadvantaged individuals with autism and schools will receive an Apple iPad 2!
Eligible applicants are individuals who:
- Have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder by a licensed professional,
- Reside in the United States,
- Have limited income and cannot afford to purchase an iPad.

Note: If you already submitted an application for the iPad 2 grant in February 2012, you must re-apply to be considered for the new round.

Technology Grant Timeline

December 3: Online Application Opens
December 7: Application Closes
December 7-14: Review Committee Selects Recipients
December 17: Recipients Announced and iPads sent out!!


How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by the person with autism, an immediate family member of the person with autism, or a licensed teacher, social worker, or therapist. The Technology Grant Review Committee will review eligible applications based on established criteria and select the iPad grant recipients. Some applicants will be contacted by staff for follow up information. All applicants selected to receive an iPad 2 will be contacted on December 17. Others will receive an email informing them of their status.

Visit the AutismCares website to apply! You must create a login and select Autism Speaks iPad Grant.

Note: Please DO NOT complete the application entitled "AutismCares Application" if you are applying for an iPad. Only those applicants that complete the application entitled “Autism Speaks iPad Grant” will be considered.

Note: Only applicants in the United States will be considered. We cannot accept applications from outside the United States.

The Season of Thanks and Giving!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart -- Helen Keller

Tis the season for thankful hearts, full bellies, giving to others, and spending time with friends and family! 

We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are excitedly anticipating the holidays coming up in December! 

As we reflect back on 2012, we can't help but feel very lucky. We have an amazing staff, incredible kiddos we work with, families that open their hearts and homes to us, and the chance to make a difference in someone's life. This is not a gift that we take for granted, we assure you! 

Check out a few things that our In Stepps team is thankful for this holiday season. What are YOU thankful for? 

I am thankful to have the best job in the world. I get to watch our amazing clients learn and grow every day! I am also grateful for my coworkers who demonstrate a passion and a commitment to our kids and inspire me every day. -Cheri 

I am thankful for the best friends and family that support me in everything I do, and I'm also SOOOthankful that I have a job that I absolutely love and am so excited to go to work everyday! – Julia 

I'm thankful for my good health, family, and friends- Randi 

I am thankful for family and friends, abled bodies and jobs to do, laughter and an abundance of love. I feel very blessed every day. – Lindsey 

 I am thankful for the opportunity to treat children like humans...  I Love PRT!!!- Dave

I am thankful for many things this year: an awesome job, my health, meeting wonderful new people, living next to the ocean and I would have to say...balloons. Balloons have helped me more this year then all my years combined...thank you balloons for being so much fun.- Nicole M

I am truly grateful for my family and friends, as well as for all of the wonderful children and families who I have the opportunity to work with. I know that I am blessed to have a job that I love and where I believe that I am making a difference, but I am even more fortunate to have this job which is filled with so many people who make such a positive impact on me and my life, as well.- Kimberly

I'm so thankful for laughter and children's smiles- Rebecca 

I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and be able to help spread that knowledge. Oh and thankful for warm weather this holiday season!- Leigh Ann 

I am thankful for my family, friends, and colleagues who are so supportive and inspiring. 2012 has truly been the best year yet!- Laura E

A Star, a Party, and a Baby!

 "Learning is finding out what we already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, and teachers." -- Richard Bach

2012 is slowly coming to an end. We have had such a wonderful year and would not be where we are today without the love, dedication, and hard work of our behavior therapists. So today we would like to introduce you to another shining star! John D!

Here is what a few of John's supervisors had to say about him... 

It has been an absolute pleasure working with John and collaborating with him as he has been growing as a behavior therapist.  His playfulness and grasp of the tenants of Pivotal Response Treatment translate into an approach that will encourage growth and continued success for the children he works with.  I am excited to continue working with John and am encouraged by his ability to observe and critique himself and others as it helps us all in providing a better quality of care.- Dave 

I have to begin by saying how much I love having John on my teams! He is creative, fun, and energetic. I recently had a mom say that the “best moments” of her daughter’s entire life happen with John. This doesn’t surprise me! Another thing I like about John is that he has a different style with each kid he works with. He comes up with games or activities that each specific kid would like and finds fun ways to implement the ideas in sessions. He is amazing!!!- Cheri 

John is a great therapist!  I have had the pleasure of working with him while he substituted for another therapist.  He immediately jumped into session, and built a positive relationship with the client.  On his first day at the house, he was able to target the client's goals while simultaneously building rapport.  Thanks, John!- Nicole F

I have yet to come into a session where John has not been excited to see the child he is working with.  John has made great connections with not only the children but the parents as well.  He is able to identify motivating activities for the children and continuesly give 100% throughout the sessions, especially when it comes to physical play.  John is very creative and has the children laughing and wanting to interact with him.  He has great insight to the childrens goals and communicates effectively with all team members. -Laura 

Way to go, John! Thank you for being a STEPP above! If you know John, make sure you give him a shout out! 

A couple of noteworthy events at In Stepps...

Check out our Facebook page to see our annual Holiday Party photos! You will see a lot of familiar faces. We all had a blast celebrating 2012 and visiting with our entire staff! 

A holiday party in November, you ask? Well, In Stepps is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Yvonne's baby girl, Fenna Rose! She is set to make her debut sometime in December and we just couldn't take the spotlight from her (or add one more thing to Yvonne's huge plate)! Last month we had a beautiful baby shower for Yvonne & Fenna. Check out a couple photos below: 

And finally, you may have noticed that we skipped Parent's Night Out in October. However, we WILL be having PNO in November and we will be offering a Saturday DAY out in December. This is the perfect opportunity for you to get some holiday shopping done. Keep an eye out for both Evites in the coming days. Sign up ASAP, as these months fill up quickly. 

Thank you to everyone for your continued support!

What a Star!

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things."- Steve Jobs 


In Stepps would like you to meet another one of our STAR team members! 

Congratulations to Nicole M.! 

Nicole, you are amazing! All of your hard work, dedication, and creativity are just a few of the things that make you stand out! Your supervisors, directors, and fellow therapists have all given such great feedback about you. You are an asset to each team you are on. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of your families and kiddos! Keep reading to see what Nicole's supervisors have to say about her ... 

This girl knows her stuff!! Watching how far she has come as a therapist has been so much fun, as she’s lit fire to the PRT world! Nicole is such an awesome person to work with! She always finds creative and fun activities to play with the kiddos! Her collaboration to come up with new ways to target goals, and motivate kiddos is so priceless! Watching the kids grow through her "work" (play!!!) is priceless to me, and more importantly, to the parents and families! Truly amazing! – Elise

I have a great appreciation for Nicole's work ethic and creativity.  She has brought in multiple examples of textbook implementation of Pivotal Response Treatment and has had videos submitted for use in our updated training protocols.  She is consistent and always striving to improve and learn.—Dave

Nicole's high affect and positive attitude make her an awesome therapist!  She is super creative and is ready and willing to take on any challenges!  She is a team player and a great addition to our In STEPPS team.  Thanks, Nicole!- Nicole F

Nicole is an incredibly creative therapist. I love watching her in sessions because it makes me feel like I’m along for a very exciting and creative ride! One of her strengths is leading pretend play and I love watch the kids get totally lost in her pretend world. She is also a very hard worker-asking advice whenever she can to become the best therapist she can be. I think the sky is the limit for Nicole!!! Keep up the awesome work.- Cheri

Guess Who Turned Two??

“So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.” 

-- Dr. Seuss: Oh, the Places You'll Go!

We did!!! And what a celebration we had!

In July of 2010, In Stepps saw our very first client. We have come SO far since then... it's sort of mind boggling when we stop and think about it. With all the hard work from our FABULOUS directors, administrative team, psychologists, teachers, supervisors, parent consultants, therapists, and most importantly, In Stepps parents and kiddos, we have indeed MOVED mountains! 

If you have been with us since the beginning, you may remember our meetings in Yvonne's dining room and supervision meetings on her couch, the first cases, moving into our office (before the expansion), and talking about plans for the future. Since then, our growth has included an abundance of new faces, PNO, our first Open House, family photo days, parent focus groups, Learning In Stepps, Lego Camp, extensive staff training and team building, workshops, Autism Speaks walks, resource fairs, and so much more! 

First and foremost, we would like to say THANK YOU to our staff, families, friends, and supporters. So many of In Stepps' triumphs would not have been possible without you, and that is the truth. You have all contributed so much and we will be forever thankful. 

To our 'clients' (we put clients in quotes because you are more than clients, you have become an extension of our In Stepps family): thank you for putting your trust in us. Your kids have become the light in all of our eyes and without your commitment, the hours you put in, and the work you do our job would only be half complete. You are all just as important as our staff and we believe that you are such an enormous part of the daily progress you see in your homes. We are all a team! 

As for our birthday celebration (because what birthday would be complete with out a cake, candles, good food, and laughter?) ... check out the pictures below. Thank you to all that helped make the party happen! It was a blast! 

And finally, we would like to remind everyone that In Stepps' journey is far from complete! We currently have some amazing projects on our plate that we cannot wait to share with all of you. This is only the beginning for us, and we hope that you will all celebrate each milestone with us as we continue. 

Thank you again! Looking forward to another year... 

Three Bright Stars!

"The difference between try and triumph is a little 'umph.'"

It's that time again! Wow... We are finding it harder and harder to pick people to recognize each month. We have so many incredible, dedicated, and hard working team members! A lot of thought goes into this process, so if you get a chance please say "congrats" to any In Stepps Stars you come across! They deserve so much praise and recognition! 

Here are three more amazing, stellar, shining stars we'd like to introduce to you! These therapists have so many great qualities, as you will read below, and we are so lucky to have them working with our kiddos! Please meet Jeanette, Kelsey, and Darin-- they are a STEPP above! 

Jeanette

Jeanette has so much energy! She does her best to make every session fun! From preparing arts and crafts for sessions to developing elaborate pretend play themes, Jeanette makes sure her kids are having fun! Thank you for all your hard work Jeanette!—Nicole H.

Jeanette brings enthusiasm and creativity to each session. She often creates arts and crafts projects in advance to do with her clients.—Cheri  

Jeanette has been a wonderful addition to Parent’s Night Out! She is always willing to give up a Friday night to join us and the kids love her. I appreciate so many things about Jeanette including her flexibility, her playfulness, and her proactive and positive attitude! – Lindsey 

Kelsey

Kelsey is an incredibly enthusiastic and energetic therapist.  Every time I go out to see her, I know that I will be having a good time, the child will be having a good time and that Kelsey will be having a good time. She is so creative and goes above and beyond to find ways to motivate and engage the kiddos that she works with.  She is a natural that this job... she came in here from day one, impressing me with her positive attitude, great implementation of PRT, and her ability to adapt to any child in any environment.  Kelsey is such an amazing asset to the In STEPPS family.  I don't know what we would do without her.  Thanks for all your hard work Kelsey!—Kimberly 

Kelsey can make anything fun!  Kelsey's highly energetic and creative personality make her an asset to her teams and Learning In Stepps (LIS).  Her ability to think on her feet and problem solve is impressive.  She is a great collaborative member of all of her teams and LIS.  Kelsey is a pleasure to work with!—Nicole H.

Kelsey comes to every session with a smile on her face! Her positive attitude, creativity, and high energy are just a few of the things that make her an important part of each team she is on. – Lindsey 

The first word I would use to describe Kelsey is brave.  She is not afraid to bring in videos where she is struggling with a child and is constantly taking notes for how to improve her implementation of PRT.  Kelsey is very playful!  She's great at making silly animal sounds and other sound effects to keep her clients engaged in activities.  Another area in which Kelsey excels is providing adjusted values of reinforcement dependent upon how the child responds.  However, the area I am most impressed by is Kelsey's ability to identify her own mistakes and come up with solutions that make sense.—Dave K. 

Kelsey is tremendous.  Her natural enthusiasm is contagious. She gets just as excited about throwing and popping a water balloon as her kiddos do which allows her to effortlessly maintain motivation and momentum throughout a play activity. She has an uncanny ability to know and do the next indicated step. There have been numerous times I've had to stop myself from telling or asking Kelsey to do something because I realize that she is one step ahead of me, already doing it. She is constantly looking for and finding ways to be of assistance.  She has great creative ideas and a wonderful ability to look at challenges from different angles, always with a positive attitude.  It's a pleasure to work along side Kelsey.—John G.

Kelsey is a team member of our new Learning In Stepps (LIS) Saturday morning program for young learners here at In Stepps. Kelsey has the unique role of assisting both our Learners, and our lead therapist throughout our LIS sessions. As the Instructional Facilitator , Kelsey helps our Learners follow through with task while taking cues from the Lead Therapist as to the direction of the session. It is a unique position as it entails a person who can manage multiple Learners, and follow a group leader. Kelsey is a gem of a Facilitator! She has a calm easy-going manner which translated into established positive relations with each of our Learners. Her prompting and prompt-fading strategies are emerging wonderfully for multiple Learners. Kelsey’ enthusiasm for the Learners is obvious and infectious! But, there is more, Kelsey is given the added responsibility for helping with the creation of curricula. She has created puppets for stories that are unique and endearing! The Learners love it. I am proud to have her as part of the LIS Team! – Eliza

Darin

Darin is a wonderful therapist who works diligently to be creative and support the kids he is working with. He is a joy to have on any team, and parents have said how much he goes "above and beyond the expectations for their children" in order to help them reach their goals! Thank you Darin!—Elise

I really appreciate Darin's willingness to speak up during Supervision and Support meetings.  Often, lately, Darin is the first to speak up with a comment when the group is asked to provide feedback for their peers.  He brings in video clips where he targets goals in creative ways and keeps up extremely high energy.  Recently Darin was invited to our training for Play Date Facilitation.  In the few weeks since I have heard many reports of Darin's dramatic improvement in facilitating play.  One area that I am especially excited about for Darin is his ability to problem solve during Support.  His "critical eye" is becoming more and more focused on the tenants of PRT and he is usually able to point out mistakes quickly, concisely, and correctly. – Dave K. 

Darin is a great therapist and very playful!  Darin always keeps me and the rest of his team updated on our client's progress, and takes initiative to introduce new targets.  Great job, Darin!—Nicole F. 

Darin's positive attitude and consistent effort at his job have been a great addition to the teams I share with him.  Darin is flexible, collaborative, and takes feedback and direction like a champ.  He has always stepped up to the plate when it comes to covering hours, whether it's for his own clients or for others.  Darin frequently plans new and fun ways to target goals, and this is a part of why his kiddoes are always so excited to see him.  Great job, Darin!   -- Nicole H. 

Important Insurance Information

SB 946: What is it and How will it Affect My Child’s ABA Services?

Q: What is SB 946?
A: In October 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 946 (SB 946), which goes into effect in California on July 1, 2012, and expires on July 1, 2014. It mandates that health insurance must cover ABA/behavioral therapy for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or a pervasive development disorder. SB 946 is sometimes called the “Insurance Mandate.”

Q: Will all medical insurance cover ABA therapy?
A: No. There are 2, possibly 3 exceptions to the bill:
1. Medi-Cal is excluded from the bill. If your child only has Medi-Cal coverage, you can simply call your Service Coordinator and Regional Center should continue to cover your ABA services.
2. Self-insured plans are excluded from SB 946. A self-insured plan is a plan that is administered by a regular insurance company, but where the company the parent works for has taken on the financial risk. Self-insured plans are federal plans, this means they do not fall under a State Mandate such as SB 946 (they are governed by a federal agency called Erisa). However, some self-insured plans have voluntarily decided to cover ABA services. These plans have what is called a “carve-out” for ABA coverage. This is typically stated in your plan manual, but you can always call your benefit representatives at the insurance company OR your HR department at the Company you work for.
3. Although SB 946 specifically excludes state-funded insurance plans, it looks like Cal-Optima and Healthy Families are going to now cover ABA due to federal legislation called AB 88: The Mental Health Parity Act.

Q: What do I do if my family has a self-insured plan and ABA is not covered?
A: You must obtain a denial from your insurance company that shows ABA is excluded from your plan. Therefore, you must still call your insurance company and request services. Regional Center will request to see the denial in writing prior to September 2012 as stated in the letter you received, in order to prevent a gap in funding. In addition, your service coordinator may ask you to appeal the denial.

Q: How do I know if my insurance plan covers ABA?
A: You can call your insurance and ask them directly. If your plan does not have mental health or behavioral health benefits ABA is most likely not covered. You will need to call the “Mental Health” or Behavioral Health” number on your insurance card, NOT the Medical Benefits number. You can also complete our Insurance Information Form and we can call to determine your coverage.

Q: Will the Regional Center stop funding my child's services and when will that happen?
A: Regional Centers are considered a “provider of last resort”, thus, effective July 1, 2012, for those individuals with a diagnosis of autism or a pervasive developmental disorder they must refer families to their insurance provider before they will fund ABA services. Families whose insurance plans do not cover ABA would continue to be eligible for funding through the Regional Center.  Each Regional Center is responsible for notifying families of the change in funding. In May 2012 Regional Center of Orange County sent letters to families receiving behavior services, stating that families have until September 30, 2012 to obtain authorization or denial for ABA through their insurance plans. For those whose plans do not cover ABA, Regional Center services should continue. For those whose plans cover ABA, Regional Center services would terminate effective September 30, 2012.

Q: What is the process to get insurance coverage?
A: If you have completed our Insurance Information Form we will contact your insurance company and can often get an authorization if we are in-network. You will also need to obtain a prescription for ABA from your child’s doctor to show medical necessity for the service. If we need additional information we can work with you to obtain it and follow up with insurance. You can also contact your insurance plan directly and ask what is covered in terms of ABA services. You can inquire which agencies they have in-network. Your insurance company may also ask for the original documentation showing your child’s diagnosis, especially if they do not already have this on file.

Q: How do we get a prescription for ABA?
A: Call your doctor (usually a pediatrician or neurologist) and tell them you are pursuing insurance coverage for your child’s ABA and it requires a prescription. All that is needed is a note from the physician saying: “Johnny X needs ABA therapy.” It does not need to state the number of hours or any other detail. It is helpful if it shows your child’s diagnosis on 5 axes (your physician will know what this means). The prescription must be written by the doctor - prescriptions by a nurse or social worker are typically not sufficient.

Q: What happens if my insurance authorizes fewer hours than we had through the Regional Center?
A: It is likely that each plan will have its own policies and standards in terms of what they will (or will not) authorize. In the event your insurance authorizes a service level that does not match what you have been receiving through the Regional Center, be diligent about documenting their reasons/rationale for why they are authorizing a different level of service. You may then need to contact your Service Coordinator at Regional Center to request funding for the additional hours.

Q: How do I ensure we get to keep our current provider?
A: While there is no way to ensure keeping your current provider, the more proactive you are in working with your provider, the better! If you are an In STEPPS client, complete our Insurance Information Form so that we know which insurance company you are with and what plan you have. We have been actively working on becoming an in-network provider with most insurance companies and if we know your plan we can make sure we complete the application. If you have questions, call our office! Once we have determined that your insurance plan covers ABA, and that we are in network with that plan, you can request (verbally and in writing) that you would like to continue receiving services from your current provider. The insurance company may refer you to a different agency or provide you with a list of agencies that does not include your current provider; however, if you know your provider is in-network you should reiterate your preference and inquire what the process is for remaining with your current provider.
If your current provider is not in-network, you can ask for a “letter of agreement” between your insurance and the provider.

Q: What about copays?
A: Each insurance plan has its own formula for copays, which will apply to families receiving ABA. The Department of Developmental Services is not allowed to reimburse families for copayment costs; however each of the 21 Regional Centers can respond to family needs. The Regional Center of Orange County has announced they will look at family income in determining if they are able to assist with copays via partial to full reimbursement. Families should contact their Service Coordinator and inquire what steps they need to take in order to apply for assistance with copayment costs. Regional Centers will not cover the plan deductible; however, in the event of extreme family hardship contact your Service Coordinator to discuss.

Q: Will we keep the same team?
A: It depends. Each insurance company delineates that services must be provided by “qualified autism service providers” and outlines what the requirements are for each type of service. Requirements are slightly different from insurance company to insurance company and in addition, some companies require staff complete a lengthy credentialing process prior to being able to provide service through insurance.

Other tips:
• Always document your conversations with representatives from your insurance. Note the date, time, and name of the person with whom you speak. Sometimes representatives will not provide their last name but instead will provide an employee or A-number. Get a reference number if applicable.
• Don’t get discouraged if the first few people you speak with do not seem to know what you are asking about! This is a new area for insurance companies too, so do not be surprised if you find yourself educating the representative! Be persistent, and you can always ask to speak with someone else who is knowledgeable about coverage for ABA. It may help to inform the representative of your child’s ASD diagnosis-this appears to be a trigger for representatives to remember what ABA is all about!
• Expect some glitches in the system. These are confusing times for families, insurance companies, regional centers, AND providers! By working together we can get through the challenges ahead, and ensure your child continues to receive the support they need.

Summer at In Stepps!

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.  ~Henry James

Summer is upon us! We here at In Stepps LOVE Summer time. What is better than incorporating water balloons, squirt bottles, swimming pools, and other fun outdoor activities into sessions with the kiddos? These are great opportunities for introducing novel and motivating play, expanding on language, working on new play skills,  facilitating peer interactions, and more! What is your favorite Summer activity to do with your kids? We would love to hear your ideas!

Some exciting Summer events are coming up at In Stepps! Parent's Night Out will be on Friday June 29th from 6:30-9:30! Please be sure to RSVP ASAP if you would like your child to join us. Next month we will be offering another Parent's Day Out (back by popular demand) on July 28th from 11am-2pm. We are also in the process of planning our First Family Night Out event which should take place sometime in July/August and our First In Stepps Family Picnic in September! In Stepps will also be offering Summer Camp options starting in August. So keep a lookout for dates and information on how to register!

(On a side note, In Stepps will be turning TWO in July! Can you believe it?!)

So we've got the kids covered. But we also have some cool opportunities for parents, specifically dads! If you are looking for the perfect Father's Day gift... this could be it! Give the dad in your life the gift of knowledge! In Stepps is offering a 2-Session Parent Education series on proactive discipline strategies JUST FOR DADS! Psychologist Eliza DelPizzo-Cheng, Ph.D.,BCBA-D, will teach dads the “why” of challenging behavior and doable behaviorally-based parenting strategies. This series is designed for father's of children with developmental disabilities, but is relevant for any Dad. The series will be on August 1st & 8th from 7-9pm at the In Stepps office. Cost: $225 (includes a workbook). Sign up and give Dad tools he can use everyday! Call In STEPPS at 949.474.1493 for registration information or email Dr. DelPizzo eliza@instepps.com-- Limit 15 dads
In lieu of Summer, we do have a couple of administrative reminders for our In Stepps families:

1.) Remember to fill out your Summer and Fall availability forms that should have already been provided by your PC and/or Supervisor. These forms will help us accommodate your child's schedule for the Extended School Year (ESY) and any school changes that will occur in the fall. Also, please inform us ASAP if your family will be going on a vacation this Summer. If you have not received the form yet, please ask your Case Supervisor so we can have it on file. We need 2 weeks to accommodate changes and requests. As a reminder, we cannot commit to temporary schedule changes due to short term camps, family outings, etc.

2.) If you would like your child to participate in water activities such as swimming, please ensure we have the Water Activities Consent Form on file for your family/child. If you have filled this form out during a previous Summer with In Stepps, there is no need to fill out another one. We are ready to swim when you are! Ask your Supervisor for the consent and inform your Supervisor in advance for scheduling any swimming or water activity plans.

In other In Stepps news... Have you had a chance to check out our AMAZING new website? We worked extremely hard on the new features and design and we are very proud of the end result. There are several convenient additions for our families including a Calendar of Events section where you can check out upcoming events and programs as well as a Newsletter. Be sure to subscribe to the Newsletter by entering your email address on the home page. You can see the new website in all it's glory here: http://www.instepps.com/

If you would like to be connected even more to In Stepps, make sure you "like" us on Facebook! There you will find a lot of information not featured on our blog, including community events, pictures, resources, coupons, fun links, and more. Once you "like" our page, all updates can be found directly in your personal news feed. Our Facebook Page is here! Check it out and leave us some comments!

Many of you have recently received a letter from Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) regarding your child's services and insurance coverage under the new SB946 law. We understand that many of you have questions, concerns, and general confusion regarding the upcoming changes and how to obtain insurance coverage. In Stepps is committed to assisting your family through this process and support you in any way we can. We have a FAQ post that we will be sharing with you shortly that addresses many of the questions you may have. Keep an eye out! We will post on Facebook as soon as it is posted and ready to go. In the meantime, please feel free to call us at (949) 474-1493 or email info@instepps.com if you have any issues so we can support you through it. Also, please be sure to fill out the Insurance Information Form/Consent that your Supervisor has brought out to you so we can help with the communication between your family and insurance company.

Finally, we have two more In Stepps Stars to brag about! Can you guess who they are?? Stay tuned!

These Ladies SHINE!

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

When life and work get busy, it is easy to go through each day without taking the time to thank someone for their hard work or recognize qualities that make an individual so special. That’s why we want to take a time out to spot light a couple more of the hardworking team members we have at In Stepps. Mayra S. and Candice, your dedication and enthusiasm have not gone unnoticed! You are both amazing! Each of the families you work with are lucky to have you, and so are we. Way to be shining stars; you are a STEPP above!

Take a look at what some of the supervisors had to say about Mayra and Candice:

Mayra S.

Laura C: Mayra has worked with one of our clients since the first day he started receiving services with In Stepps.  Due to all of her hard work and dedication, this specific child is able to independently entertain himself, allowing his mother to tend to her daily tasks in the home.  I love supervising Mayra, she always comes into the clients homes with a huge smile, great energy and tremendous love and respect for her clients and their families.  I can always count in Mayra to give every session 100%.  Mayra always goes above and beyond for her families; making up sessions, working on the weekends to fulfill unused hours, and brings in various activities that are fun and reinforcing for the children.  She is an asset not only to In Stepps, but to all of the families she works with.

Lindsey: I can’t say enough about Mayra. Her sweet disposition, dedication to the families she works with, and wonderfully positive attitude are just a few parts of what makes her shine as a therapist. Her hard work is evident every time I see the amount of progress our clients are making. Did I mention that the kiddos just love her??  They have so much fun with her and she always is mindful of what their interests are. She even handmade a cape for one of her boys that loves super heroes! Thank you, Mayra, for going the extra mile in every session, being so professional, and putting your whole heart into what you do.

Candice

Nicole H: I'm so impressed with how much progress Candice has made since starting her employment with In Stepps several months ago.  Candice has an amazing attitude and personality and puts her all into every session she provides.  Her bubbly and fun personality shines through and makes every session a ton of fun.  Candice has helped the kiddos she works with progress in a multitude of ways.  She takes feedback and applies it promptly and consistently and she asks great questions.  Candice is definitely an example of someone who is constantly looking to learn and improve on her skills as a therapist.  It's such a pleasure to work with Candice and I look forward to every session I get to go out and see her work her "magic" with the kiddos.  Great job Candice!

Nicole F: Candice is an amazing therapist and a joy to work with. Our kids and families love her. I can always count on her! Keep up the great work, Candice!

Elise: Candice is someone whose brightness truly sparkles even in the toughest situations! She deals with what may be uncomfortable to most with grace and understanding.  Her patience and kindness really stand out in the most humble and quiet ways. She is an absolute joy to work with!

If you would like to nominate someone from your team for the next In Stepps Star, let us know! And remember, you are ALL stars in our eyes!

Our challenge for you: make a point to thank that special “star” in your life TODAY!  

Spring Has Sprung!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu

Hello There! Spring is finally here, yay! Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weather and planning for an eventful Spring Break!

We have had quite a busy month (is it just us or is that becoming a recurring theme around here?)... and we are feeling on top of the world!

To start off, The First Annual In Stepps Open House was a HUGE HUGE HUGE success! We had such a great turn out and it was so much fun. Not only did we have a bounce house, face painting, crafts, games, and a photo booth.... but we also cooked almost 200 hot dogs! Wow! We hope all of you that made it out enjoyed yourselves as much as we did! The kiddos were adorable and we loved meeting your extended families (and introducing you to ours). Thank you SO much to the In Stepps team members that put in HOURS of time and a huge amount of work and effort to ensure the event went well. It would not as been possible without your dedication and flexibility. Seriously, it would not have been possible. Really. It wouldn't have been. So thank you! Once again we are reminded of the wonderful, fabulous, amazing, awesome, brilliant, excellent, great team we have. :) Also, another HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to all of the wonderful people/families/businesses that donated to our raffle. Those that won your amazing donations were thrilled. Gotta admit, some of us were a little jealous, too! You all sent in such awesome prizes!

Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a few of the pictures from the event (the rest can be found on our Facebook Page).

If you haven't seen the Evite or flyer for the first Parent's Day Out, don't worry! You still have time to sign up. Our St. Patrick's Day themed Parent's Day Out will be on March 31st from 11:00am-2:00pm. So make plans to go to brunch/lunch, run some errands, take a walk on the beach, grab coffee, get your hair or nails done, get in a workout, or anything else that you would like to do on a Saturday afternoon. Just leave the kids with us, because we will have lots of fun stuff planned! If you are new to Parent's Night/Day Out, check out our FAQ Post that has all the information you need. Spots are filling up quickly, so be sure to RSVP by clicking 'Yes' on the Evite or emailing info@instepps.com.

Due to some scheduling conflicts, the Learn In Stepps series will begin on April 7th (not March 24th as previously announced). There are still a few spots open if you would like to take advantage of this amazing learning opportunity for your child. Lean In Stepps classes will be held on Saturdays from 9:00am- Noon. By signing up, you will be giving your child a boost in their academic performance and their social skills in a small group learning environment. Enrichment in academics will be interspersed with social skill practice with high staffing ratios in each group! Goals for each child are individualized and classes will be divided into age groups. Homework for the week provided if requested! Each series is 12 weeks. For more information, pricing, or to sign your child up please email info@instepps.com. Hurry, space is limited! This opportunity is open to all families in the community!

Keep your eyes open for the new In Stepps Stars, insurance information, and upcoming Summer events!

There are a few easy ways to contact us with any questions, inquiries, feedback, or to sign up for any event:
Email: info@instepps.com
Call: (949) 474-1493
Facebook: "Like" In Stepps on Facebook to get updates directly to your news feed
NEW! In Stepps is now on Twitter! Hooray! Follow us at www.twitter.com/in_stepps or send us a tweet @in_stepps!
Open House Pictures (find many, many more on our Facebook Page):