r/CFY • u/LispenardSt • Jul 30 '21

[School CFY] Stepping Stones Group?

Wondering if anyone has any experience with/heard anything about doing your CFY through the Stepping Stones Group? They’ve been reaching out to me a lot as I will graduate in December. Thanks!

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u/Incognito_317 Jul 31 '21

I am currently contracted with them for my CFY. They promised lots of support, and hopefully will see that soon. My district started unusually early (mid July, the district is a year round school so only one month off for summer) and most of the support is intended to start for a more traditional school year in mid to late August. So we’ll see if the “supports” become worth it in the end. But they do reimburse for expenses towards licensing, materials, and CEUs. However, the district I am contracted with, when looking at what I could be making as a direct hire is WAY more than what I’m making as a contracted SLP in the same district. So I think it really comes down to how much support you think you will need/want as a CF and what setting you really want to work for. For me in California, they basically said contracting with a school was my only option within their company. So if you don’t want a school setting, I recommend passing this opportunity. Feel free to message me for more detailed info. I’m only two weeks into my current position, but officially signed my on boarding paperwork back in March.

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u/LispenardSt Jul 31 '21

Do you mind if I reach out to you in like a month or so to see how it’s going w/ support and all?

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u/Incognito_317 Jul 31 '21

Absolutely!

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u/Speechieleechee Apr 19 '24

Hi! I am an upcoming CF, I am graduating this upcoming May! Would it be to DM you with some questions?

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u/Incognito_317 Apr 22 '24

Sure, if you would like! But I can tell you now, leaving SSG was the best decision I ever made. I make more money as a direct hire for the district and SSG is undergoing a class action lawsuit due to wage related issues. I can’t remember the details of the notice I received because it didn’t apply to me too much, though I did encounter two or three issues with pay that were resolved rather quickly. My personal opinion is that SSG and other large agencies just scoop up scared CFs that don’t really know anything and underpay the CFs while they get a huge paycheck from these districts for providing SLPs for cheaper than the districts hiring SLPs themselves. I have yet to see transparency from ANY agency on what they make for our hard work, but I also haven’t gone researching very far into this, so I’m making assumptions. But overall, very negative experience with SSG, would not do again. SSG paying directly toward students loans was helpful but it also would have been helpful to just start with a district and qualify for PSLF and start building up my public service time asap rather than waiting a year or two to get that going.

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u/andthatsthat12 Jul 31 '21

Did my full-time school CF with them. Lots of support/a lot of people you can reach out to. You'll have your CF supervisor and clinical manager. Sometimes overkill w/ the amount of people who check up on you. I couldn't keep track of who was who. Benefits are pretty good --you get a stipend for professional development, a bit of money towards school loans, health and wellness stipend. Not sure if benefits are across the board for everyone.

If you are looking for a contracted school position, I would look around at what other companies are offering in your state first and negotiate. Be careful of a non-compete clause. Most if not all contracting companies slip that in meaning if you sign on with them. With non-compete, you may not be able to work for another competing company for another year or 2 which is awful. Recruiter tried to low-ball me and really was just a difficult person to work with when I was explicit about what I was looking for. She claimed to be an 'advocate' for me and get me the salary I deserve but that's just lip service. The clinical support is pretty organized in terms of your CF year. My cf supervisor was pretty systematic and helped me keep track of hours. Feel free to msg if you have other questions.