STEPS
Program Coordinator: Jacquelynn Erickson
Welcome to STEPS: Supporting Your Child’s Journey to Success
At our district, we know every student learns, grows, and builds confidence in their own unique way. If your child experiences challenges with self-regulation, social interactions, or behavioral changes during the school day, you do not have to navigate it alone.
STEPS (Strategies to Effectively Promote Success) is our dedicated behavioral support program designed to meet your child exactly where they are, through a continuum of services. Our goal is simple: to provide a reassuring, positive environment where your child gains practical everyday tools to thrive both academically and socially.
How STEPS Helps Your Child
We believe behavioral support should adapt to your child’s needs—not the other way around. STEPS offers four flexible ways we partner with your student throughout the school day:
- Direct STEPS (Individual Check-Ins): Friendly, scheduled check-ins throughout the day with a dedicated team member. We help your child practice self-management, talk through daily challenges, and celebrate their wins.
- Social Skills Support in the Classroom (Push-In): A special education teacher works alongside your child in their regular classroom. We offer subtle, real-time guidance to help them build friendships and manage emotions and generalize learned skills during daily activities.
- Targeted Social Skills Groups (Pull-Out): Small-group learning in a calm, structured space. Using proven, evidence-based programming, we teach real-world skills like managing big feelings, self-advocacy, and positive problem-solving.
- Behind-the-Scenes Monitoring (Indirect Support): Our STEPS team regularly checks in on your child’s progress and collaborates directly with their general education teachers to make sure all behavioral strategies are working seamlessly and progress is ongoing.
What This Means for Your Family
- A Safe Space to Grow: We focus on teaching replacement behaviors and coping mechanisms, and self-awareness so your child feels empowered, safe, and understood.
- Inclusion First: Whenever possible, supports are brought directly to your child in their least restrictive learning environment so they remain connected with their peers. Services are tailored to your child's needs using clear data and collaborative team decisions.
- True Partnership: You are a key part of your child’s team. We keep communication open so the strategies working at school can support your home life, too.
Common Questions
Does joining STEPS mean my child leaves their regular classroom?
Not necessarily. Many of our STEPS services take place right inside the general education classroom. We only use dedicated small-group spaces when your child needs focused, distraction-free instruction on specific coping skills.
How do we know which service option my child needs?
Your child’s support plan is customized specifically for them during their Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting based on data driven decisions. Together, we decide what level of support will help them feel most confident, provide the least restrictive environment and most focused learning environment.
We're Here to Help
Do you have questions about how STEPS can support your child, or are curious about navigating special education services? Reach out to our team or connect with our Parent Partnership Network to speak with experienced district parents who have walked in your shoes.