Need to Make a Referral?

At Stepping Stone Medical Respite we serve those experiencing homelessness as they recover from illness or injury. In order to be admitted to our respite center, a referral from one of the Bismarck or Mandan hospitals must be made.

Process for Referring Clients to Stepping Stone Medical Respite

  1. The client must be admitted to the Emergency Department or inpatient at Sanford Health or CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck, or Vibra Hospital in Mandan. The client must identify as homeless and have an acute medical need. The client must be independent in their activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting). Please see our referral form for additional admission criteria.
  2. Call our CEO, Sr. Idelle, at 701-955-9142 or our Case Manager, Jana, at 701-319-0011 to see if there is a bed available and staff the case.
  3. Email the SSMR referral form and current H&P to Idelle@steppingstonemr.org and Jana@steppingstonemr.org or the information can be faxed to 701-751-0340.
  4. SSMR will run a background check, staff the case with our medical professionals and visit the patient in the hospital. We will tell them about our program to determine if they are willing to reside at the facility and adhere to our rules and regulations.
  5. If we accept the person, we will coordinate a time with the patient’s Case Manager/Social Worker to pick up the patient.
  6. The patient will need to be discharged with 2 weeks’ worth of medication as well as with a wheelchair/walker if necessary. We prefer medication be sent to the Medicine Shoppe in Bismarck; however, if the patient does not have insurance it will have to be sent to the hospital where they are admitted.
  7. If applicable, community referrals such as home healthcare should be made prior to discharge. SSMR does not have CNAs or medical staff on site, so having the services in place is critical.
Patient Referral Form

We would like as much notice as possible, so please call us as soon as you know you may have a potential referral. We will only admit patients Monday-Thursday due to staff availability.


Please call if you have any questions!