In June, Jacob’s Ladder received a $50,000 grant from the Jackson Family Foundation to support the Ascend Training Institute. “Through the Ascend Training Institute, Jacob’s Ladder is on the cusp of changing the way families and caregivers who serve the growing population of children, youth, and young people in need of effective treatment,” said Keith Jennings, Vice President of Community Impact at Jackson Healthcare. “We feel privileged to play a small role in helping Amy O’Dell and the Ascend team impact the lives of many more local and global neighbors.” Read more below…
The Jacob’s Ladder Group recently received a $50,000 grant from Jackson Healthcare to support our newly launched Ascend Training Institute. Ascend provides education and training in the Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® (IWBMC™) to serve the growing population of families, children, and adults needing effective therapeutic options for neurobiological disorders.
“Through the Ascend Training Institute, Jacob’s Ladder is on the cusp of changing the way families and caregivers serve the growing population of children, youth, and young people in need of effective treatment,” said Keith Jennings, Vice President of Community Impact at Jackson Healthcare. “We feel privileged to play a small role in helping Jacob’s Ladder and the Ascend team impact the lives of many more local and global neighbors.”
Ascend Training Institute’s primary objective is to extend the reach of the IWBMC™ globally, empowering a significantly broader spectrum of caregivers, educators, and family members through specialized training. “There is strong demand nationwide for intervention and support as individuals and their families encounter long waits for limited services or are unable to find any options in their communities for treatment,” said Amy O’Dell. “The lack of available and effective intervention, training, and support will cause these numbers to increase. Through Ascend Training Institute, Jacob’s Ladder seeks to change the current situation and offer accessible, impactful solutions for these ever-growing needs.”
Much like a renowned teaching hospital or immersive learning practicum, Ascend offers a transformative experience in the field of IWBMC™. Our flagship campus, located in Roswell, Georgia, is the hub for education, training, and cutting-edge applications, catering to current professionals and aspiring evaluators. Trainees engage in in-depth instruction, observation, and experimental learning opportunities with Jacob’s Ladder clients under the supervision of our certified IWBMC™ trainers. Trainees also have a chance to sit for the certification exam, in which they can become certified IWBMC™ Providers and Evaluators ready to deliver our specialized model of care in any setting.
Because The Jacob’s Ladder Group aims to make the IWBMC™ accessible, Ascend will provide three primary training avenues: online courses, live training, and an online resource series. Ascend offers assessment-based certificate courses as part of our online training, allowing individuals to receive an IWBMC™ Foundations or IWBMC™ Evaluations certificate. Those who participate in IWBMC™ Training are part of a cutting-edge movement to change the face of educating and rehabilitating individuals with neurobiological challenges. The Ascend Training Institute has trained 32 internal staff and 47 external providers who are now serving clients on our flagship campuses and within the greater community. To date, 120 providers and 76 evaluators have received IWBMC™ certification through the National Council for Board Certification, the governing body that oversees the credentialing process for the IWBMC™.
“Our community impact strategy is to partner with established community organizations that improve access to healthcare services and/or the well-being of young people. Jacob’s Ladder has more than 25 years of experience treating individuals with neurobiological challenges,” said Jennings. “They are a hidden gem, not only in the Atlanta community but in the world.”
