One Year Into Transformation: How STEP is Reshaping Employment & Day Services at The Light House
- Kassidy Brown
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
A year ago, we set out on an ambitious journey to transform how we support adults with disabilities in day and employment settings. Today, we're seeing the real impact of this work—more opportunities, better supports, and stronger pathways to independence. Here’s how the STEP (Supporting Transformation to Empower People) Transformation Plan is shaping the future at The Light House.
What is the STEP Transformation Plan?
The STEP Plan is part of a state-driven initiative by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to improve services for individuals with disabilities by focusing on more inclusive, individualized, and community-integrated opportunities. The Light House was proud to be the first provider in our region to submit a STEP Transformation Plan, and we were also the first to achieve the state’s competitive employment outcome benchmarks.
Our plan prioritizes employment pathways, assistive technology, and enhanced day program supports, helping individuals gain independence, make informed choices, and engage meaningfully in their communities.
One Year of Progress: Key Achievements
We’re proud of the significant strides made in the past year, thanks to the dedication of our team and the resilience of those we support. Here are some of the major highlights:
✅ Employment First Initiatives & Service Development
We refocused employment models to emphasize individualized vocational services, leading to several successful transitions into competitive employment.
Rachel Chimileski was promoted to Manager of Employment Services, working alongside Will Robinson, Director of Adult and Transition Services, to enhance program oversight and expansion.
Employment-centered staff members completed their ACRE Certification, a nationally recognized program that strengthens our capacity to provide high-quality employment support.
✅ Assistive Technology (AT) Integration
We launched our Assistive Technology Department, created to integrate AT support across all agency settings. The department is led by Jeremy Ostrout, Director of Operations, and reflects a strategic and long-term commitment to inclusive, tech-forward services.
Sarah Sargent was promoted to Assistive Technology Specialist, the department's first specialist, and has already made great strides by developing AT 101, a foundational training that equips direct support professionals with essential knowledge and practical strategies for integrating assistive technology into everyday support.
Seven employees successfully completed the Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) through California State University – Northridge, learning tools and techniques to enhance accessibility, communication, and independence.
Beginning next month, AT screenings will roll out across adult day and employment settings to help us proactively identify and implement tools that enhance independence for those we serve.
✅ Adult Day Program Enhancements & Medical Supports
We hired a second LPN, Jeanne Berryman, to support medical needs at the Niantic DSO, ensuring continuity of care between locations alongside New London Day Program LPN, Regina Glover.
While positive behavior support remains central to our service models, we have begun expanding our capacity to serve individuals with more complex behavioral needs through enhanced strategies and targeted staff training.
What’s Next?
We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished—and we’re just getting started. Our focus in the year ahead includes:
Improving transitions into vocationally focused settings by developing new leadership roles dedicated to employment outcomes in day programs.
Continuing to expand employment service models, ensuring every individual has the right support to pursue their vocational goals.
Establishing a new professional learning center in New London to foster collaboration, training, and innovation among staff and program participants.
Join Us in Moving Forward
This transformation wouldn’t be possible without the passion and commitment of our team, families, and community partners. We are excited about the future and eager to continue building a more inclusive, opportunity-rich environment for those we serve.
If you have any questions, ideas, or want to learn more about our evolving services, we’d love to hear from you. Thank you for being part of this journey—here’s to another year of growth and impact!
Kassidy Brown
Executive Director
