FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              
September 18, 2023

2nd Video Featuring Supportive Housing through STEP Video Series Released Today
Series features CT residents using supports to
live/work more independently

(Hartford, CT) - The Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) today announced the release of the second video featuring Supportive Housing in the STEP video series, a series of short videos that highlight assistive technologies and other supports available to individuals with intellectual disability through its new STEP (Supporting Transformation to Empower People) initiative. The videos showcase real individuals and their families who are using the STEP supports to achieve greater independence in their home and work lives. 

The video series is part of a DDS system-wide effort, known as STEP, to transform its programs and services to focus on providing supports that allow individuals with intellectual disability to live more full, independent lives of their own choosing in home or other community-based settings. At the same time, STEP will continue to support individuals with higher levels of need in group home and other congregate settings.

“We had a tremendous response to last week’s video featuring Individualize Home Supports. The more we can get the word out about the availability of the STEP supports, the more we can help the individuals we support to live more independent lives of their own choosing,” said DDS Commissioner Jordan Scheff.  “Individuals with intellectual disability are valuable members of the community who deserve to lead rich, fulfilling lives. STEP is here to support them in achieving that independence.”

This week, DDS is releasing its Supportive Housing video. Supportive Housing combines rental assistance with support from a qualified provider in an apartment setting. The goal of Supportive Housing is to ensure that individuals with intellectual disability have the right supports to be successful and a place where they chose to live that is safe and affordable.

The STEP videos and other resources available to individuals and families will be available through the DDS STEP website, distributed directly to DDS’ provider partners and other community organizations, and posted to DDS’ social media platforms.

STEP is part of a larger transformational initiative being undertaken by DDS in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The COVID-19 virus spread through nursing homes, group homes and other congregate settings at a far faster rate than in the general population, putting vulnerable populations at greater risk for infection and death.  Using funds made available to the states by Congress through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), DDS is working with providers across the state to fundamentally shift and expand the continuum of supports to serve as many individuals as possible in the most independent setting possible. By providing assistive technologies and supports to individuals who can live and work more independently, DDS will be able to lessen the reliance on group homes, conserving beds for higher-needs individuals, and reduce waitlists for services.  

Link to the Supportive Housing video on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CTDDS/videos/797524045711155/ 

Link to the Supportive Housing video in English:  https://youtu.be/M2lg1xZadtQ?si=b09vNYNDrXqo7DPn

Link to the Supportive Housing video in Spanish: https://youtu.be/B_bz7vmGhEk?si=D10hZOuM4esq7Hlj 

To learn more about STEP visit:  www.ct.gov/STEP

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