b.0.s.s. Program

Building Opportunities for Strength & Stability

BOSS focuses on real-world skills with real-world application.

What is BOSS?

The BOSS Program—Bridging Opportunities for Strength & Stability—is a short-term, goal-focused life skills program designed for real life and real people. It’s practical, hands-on, and built for those of us who didn’t always get the chance to learn these things in a structured, supportive way.

Whether you’re stepping into adulthood, rebuilding after a tough season, or just figuring things out as you go, BOSS meets you right where you are.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all course. Participants set their own goals, and trained peer providers walk alongside them using an adaptable curriculum focused on real-world skills like budgeting, job readiness, time management, and more. Each session includes guided practice, measurable progress, and space to reflect on what’s working - and what’s not.

BOSS is ideal for:

Age 16+ and learning to navigate independence

  • Rebuilding after incarceration or substance use

  • Entering (or re-entering) the workforce and building soft skills

  • Growing up—or starting over—without a strong foundation of life skills

Whether someone is just getting started or getting back on track, BOSS offers the structure and support to build confidence and move forward.

BOSS may not be the best fit for:

  • Needs long-term emotional support

  • Isn’t ready to engage in hands-on, skill-based learning

  • Is currently in crisis or facing urgent personal challenges that require clinical support or immediate stabilization

BOSS is most effective when someone is ready to focus on growth through structure, goal-setting, and practical action.

The Boss toolkit includes:

  • Cooking & Meal Planning

    This covers grocery shopping, meal preparation, and essential skills for independent nourishment.

  • Budgeting & Finances

    Focuses on financial literacy, including smart spending, saving strategies, and managing expenses.

  • Career Readiness

    Includes resume building, interview preparation, and job search strategies for workforce entry or advancement.

  • Household Management

    Provides practical tools for maintaining organization, balance, and daily responsibilities.

  • Healthy Relationships & Communication

    Enhances confidence in relationships, self-advocacy, and navigating social interactions.

  • Everyday Well-Being

    Supports emotional regulation, decision-making, and stress management for personal well-being.

You may be wondering…

  • DescriptioThe BOSS Program was developed through a collaborative, research-informed approach, combining proven skill-building methods, provider insights, and real-world experience. Ultimately, BOSS was created by people who’ve lived it. Our team carefully integrated components from several evidence-based programs with practical strategies that have been successfully used in the field. By gathering direct feedback from peer providers and those they support, we ensured that BOSS is not only structured and effective but also flexible and relevant to the diverse needs of participants. The result is a practical, goal-driven program that empowers both providers and participants with the tools they need to build essential life skills in a clear, supportive, and measurable way.

  • The BOSS Program goes beyond traditional peer support or mentorship by providing a structured, goal-driven approach to learning essential life skills. While peer support focuses on emotional connection and shared lived experience, and mentorship emphasizes long-term guidance, BOSS is a short-term, skills-based program designed to help participants build practical, real-world abilities in a focused, measurable way.

    Rather than offering open-ended emotional support, BOSS provides a clear roadmap—participants set their own goals, work through hands-on modules, and track their progress with the guidance of trained facilitators. The program is interactive, adaptable, and time-limited, ensuring that individuals leave with tangible skills and a stronger sense of independence.


  • Right now, there are two ways to access BOSS:

    1. Through CCS – If you’re enrolled in the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program through your county, your service facilitator can make a referral to At The Roots LLC for the BOSS Program.

    2. Private Pay – We’re working on opening up a private pay option for individuals who aren’t connected to CCS. While this isn’t available just yet, we’re excited to offer it soon. If you're interested, feel free to reach out and we’ll keep you in the loop as it becomes available.

  • It depends on the person, their goals, and what comes up along the way. For someone who’s already fairly independent and working on one or two targeted goals, BOSS might wrap up in as little as 4–6 weeks. For others, especially those building a broader skill set, 8–12 weeks is more typical.

    If the person is enrolled through CCS, timelines may also be shaped by their service plan and team input. Peer providers support participants in sharing their progress at team meetings—helping everyone stay on the same page and giving participants the chance to practice one of the most important life skills: self-advocacy.

    For future private pay participants, timing will still be tailored to the individual’s needs, but without the team-based structure CCS includes.