440-572-1337
STEPS Educational Group

Admissions

Finding the right support starts with a conversation.

Choosing a school or clinical program can bring many questions. You don’t need to have every answer—or know which STEPS program to choose—before reaching out.

Our team will listen to your priorities, help you explore the options, and explain the steps toward enrollment or services.

We welcome inquiries from families throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as school districts exploring student placements.

Start an InquiryCall 440-572-1337

What kind of support are you exploring?

  • Educational programs

    Explore individualized learning through:

    • STEPS Academy: Education for students ages 3–22 diagnosed with autism or related developmental differences who benefit from more intensive support.
    • Insightful Minds Community of Learning: Individualized academics with social-emotional and behavioral support for students in third grade through graduation.
    • Willow Farms: Transition-focused learning that builds practical, vocational, and daily living skills in preparation for adult services and settings.
    Ask About School Enrollment

  • Clinical ABA services

    STEPS Institute for Child Development provides individualized clinical ABA for children ages 3–11 diagnosed with autism or related developmental differences.

    Families may inquire about clinical services or explore coordinated educational and clinical programming through STEPS Academy and STEPS Institute.

    STEPS Institute for Child Development
    Ask About ABA Services

  • School district referrals

    District teams can contact us to discuss a student’s educational needs, potential program fit, availability, and placement arrangements.

    Make a District Inquiry

Not sure where to begin? Select “Help me explore my options” when you contact us.

What to expect for school enrollment

  1. 1

    Share your child’s story.

    Tell us about your child’s strengths, interests, current school experience, support needs, and your goals for a different setting.

  2. 2

    Explore the program.

    Our team will discuss potential fit and availability and help arrange a visit. You’ll have an opportunity to see the setting, ask questions, and learn how the program supports students.

  3. 3

    Review educational information.

    We may request your child’s current Individualized Education Program (IEP), evaluations, and other relevant records. This helps us understand the instruction, services, and supports your child needs.

    Our team will explain how to submit records through the appropriate process.

  4. 4

    Discuss placement and funding.

    We review whether the program can meet your child’s needs and discuss scholarship funding, district placement arrangements, or other applicable payment options. We explain anticipated costs before enrollment.

  5. 5

    Plan the transition together.

    If placement moves forward, we work with your family and referring team, as appropriate, to complete paperwork and plan your child’s transition into the program.

What to expect for clinical ABA

  1. 1

    Begin an inquiry.

    Tell us about your child, their diagnosis, current services, and your family’s priorities.

  2. 2

    Complete intake and coverage review.

    Our team explains required records, referrals, insurance verification, and authorization steps. We also discuss program fit and scheduling preferences.

  3. 3

    Participate in a clinical assessment.

    A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) uses caregiver input, observation, and appropriate assessment tools to identify clinical needs and recommend treatment goals and hours.

  4. 4

    Review the plan and schedule.

    We discuss treatment recommendations, caregiver participation, anticipated costs, and available scheduling options.

Services begin after required intake and authorization steps are complete and staffing is available.

Educational enrollment and clinical ABA have separate intake, planning, and funding processes. Enrollment in one does not automatically include the other.

Understanding funding and costs

Educational funding

Depending on eligibility and program, educational funding options may include:

  • Ohio Autism Scholarship Program.
  • Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program.
  • School district placement arrangements.

Our team can explain the enrollment process, identify information needed to explore funding, and discuss any remaining family costs.

Clinical ABA coverage

Insurance coverage depends on your child’s diagnosis, plan benefits, our participation in the plan, and required authorizations.

We help families verify benefits and understand anticipated out-of-pocket costs before services begin. A diagnosis or benefit verification alone does not guarantee coverage or authorization.

Questions families often ask

Do I need to know which program I want?

No. Tell us what your child needs and what you hope will improve. We’ll help you explore the programs that may be appropriate.

Can we inquire during the school year?

Yes. We welcome inquiries throughout the year. Start dates depend on program fit, availability, and completion of the required enrollment or clinical intake steps.

Can we visit before making a decision?

Yes. Contact our team to arrange a visit and discuss your questions. Visits are scheduled in advance.

What records should I have ready?

For educational inquiries, relevant records may include a current IEP and recent evaluations. Clinical inquiries may require diagnostic documentation, insurance information, referrals, and other records.

Our team will tell you what is needed and how to submit it.

Is transportation available?

Transportation arrangements vary by student and placement. Ask our team about the process and whether coordination with your school district is needed.

What if the program is full?

Our team can explain current availability, whether a waitlist is available, and what next steps may be appropriate.

Can my child receive both school and clinical ABA services?

Some children may receive both STEPS Academy educational programming and STEPS Institute clinical ABA. Each service requires a separate review and enrollment process. Teams can coordinate support with appropriate consent.

Admissions Inquiry

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Name
Preferred Method of Contact

Indicate how you would like us to contact you.

Please list any concerns, requests for information, or your reason for contacting us.

Please send me information for the following programs:

Or call 440-572-1337

Let’s explore the next step.

Tell us about your child and the support you’re seeking. We’ll help you understand the options and what comes next.

Start an InquiryCall 440-572-1337

Serving families throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.