Stepping Stones at Tennyson Center
What is Stepping Stones?
Stepping Stones is a 24-hour residential shelter program for adolescent boys and girls, ages 13-18 who cannot live at home due to family conflict, legal problems, homelessness, or other crises. The program is a licensed Therapeutic Residential Child Care Facility (TRCCF) providing short-term mental health assessment and treatment, education, health care, spiritual growth, life skills, and recreation in a safe living environment. Each youth and family receives assessment, case management and therapeutic services with the goal of establishing a plan for the future. The program also offers overnight respite care to support families and prevent further placement.
About the Stepping Stones Program
The Stepping Stones Program relies on the following philosophies and principles of practice:
The Tennyson Demandments – Our core values and expectations of all employeesPositive & Strength-Based Behavioral Interventions with ChildrenSystems Approach to Services – Focus on the Individual, Family, and CommunityRespect for Each Family’s Unique CultureUse of the Least Restrictive Intervention to Meet Child and Family NeedsTrauma-Informed Assessment and Treatment
Included Services
24-hour admissions accessStrengths and needs assessment of youth and familyCase management, dispositional planning, and community resource coordinationIndividual and Family Therapy provided as needed through Medicaid Fee-for-Service24-hour on-call crisis support for parents and familiesDaily group therapy and life skills exercisesRecreational activities and community eventsPsychiatric care provided as needed, including medication evaluation and managementMedical and dental careOptional spirituality / faith development programmingSchool transition planning and supportEducational programming (on-grounds or in coordination with district or other facility)Expedited access to aftercare and outpatient services
Admissions Criteria
Males/females age 13-18 in need of a short-term respite or residential careYouth has not been adjudicated of a juvenile sexual offenseYouth is able to benefit from a cognitive/behavioral approach (generally a full-scale IQ of 70 or higher)Youth does not pose an imminent risk to seriously harm self or othersThe program does not utilize physical management as a behavioral intervention
Outcome Measures & Targets
% of youth participation in treatment planning process (Goal = 90%)% of family therapy sessions attended by caregivers (Goal = 85%)% of youth who avoid police contact while in the program (Goal = 80%)% of treatment goals attained at time of discharge (Goal = 75%)% of clients & customers who report being “Satisfied or Highly Satisfied” on feedback surveys (Goal = 85%)
Click here to download Emergency After-hours Admission forms:
Referral Data Sheet
Authorization for Treatment
Medical Authorization and Release
Transportation Authorization
Contact Info:
Stepping Stones at Tennyson Center
2950 Tennyson St.
Denver, CO 80212-3029
303.433.1232 (Referral cell phone)
303.433.0787 (fax)
303.433.2541 (Tennyson Center main line)