Jacob's Ladder

overview

JACOB’S LADDER OVERVIEW

Jacob’s Ladder is a faith-based recovery program that was founded in 1991. Our program has been available to the people of Kingman, from all walks of life, who are in desperate need of recovery. Jacob’s Ladder is a ministry of Praise Chapel International to the community of Kingman.

Throughout these years Jacob’s Ladder has grown into a multi-faceted program covering a wide range of issues. Chemical Dependency, Anger Management, Co-Dependency, and Domestic Violence along with individual counseling for any problem makeup the core of this program. The program is based on a 13 week cycle including general recovery instruction, specific issue instruction, support groups, class work, and homework. Currently the workbooks we are using include, The Anger Workbook, by Les Carter, Ph.D. and Frank Minirth, M.D., for the anger management clients, and Rapha’s 12 Step Program For Overcoming Chemical Dependency, by Robert S. McGee, for the chemical dependency clients.

The Jacob’s Ladder program is a weekly program that meets every Thursday at 7:00pm. The program consists of two phases, the large group, and the small groups. The large group is where all the clients of Jacob’s Ladder come together in one meeting lasting about 45 minutes. We begin with a time of music and move into practical teaching on general recovery issues from a biblical point of view. Once the large group is finished the clients make their way to the small group which are issue specific. Clients are assigned to these groups basis on mandatory appointment or by personal need. These groups typically last 45 minutes, and are based on a 13 week cycle of lessons that are what we call stand alone lesson. This means that new clients are never behind, they need only complete the cycle.

At this time we have one chemically dependency group that provides instruction for those that are struggling with drug issues and alcohol issues. We also have two anger management / domestic violence classes providing instruction for both anger issues and domestic violence issues.

Each client is required to complete assigned materials in workbook form which are reviewed and check weekly by Jacob’s Ladder staff. Each client is required to attend all meetings in succession for a 13 week period. Once the client has completed the workbook and attended the required meetings they are given a certificate of completion and encouraged to return to continue the process of recovery. All mandatory clients are checked in to both the large group and the small groups.

We also provide women only groups for victims of domestic violence and co-dependency. These groups meet on Thursday’s at 6:00pm and don’t attend the large group. We feel this provides a buffer between victim and offender.

Jacob’s Ladder is open and available to anyone seeking help, comfort, or counseling. We receive referrals from the Kingman Justice Court, Kingman Municipal Court, Lake Havasu Municipal Court, Bullhead Municipal Court, Mohave County Superior Court, Mohave County Probation Department, Mohave Mental Health, Department of Economic Security, and Child Protective Services. We have worked with courts in Maricopa Country, Yavapai County, Lapaz County, Clark County, San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County. We have even worked with courts as far away as Alaska. Some of these courts and agencies have assigned clients to our program for periods of 26 weeks and as much as 52 weeks. We are diligent in our effort to accommodate all who come to us regardless of where they live, how much money they make, or what their personal beliefs may be.

Typically our clients are mandatory. In other words, a referring agency makes it mandatory for the individual to seek out acceptable counseling, then gives the individual a list of programs available and the client chooses which program to attend. Once the client chooses Jacob’s Ladder we inform the agency of their enrollment and report their progress. We maintain a high standard of accountability with these agencies, faithfully keeping records and reporting quickly and efficiently to them regarding our mutual clients. We accommodate varieties of reporting requirements to help both our clients and the agencies requiring counseling. What we have found is that often times mandatory clients bring family and friends to the classes, and they often end up enrolling on a volunteer basis. We encourage both mandatory and volunteer enrollments.

During the first ten years of our existence we did not charge for any aspect of the program. However, as time moved on and the program grew, especially with the mandatory referrals, we felt that a one time fee of $85.00 was appropriate. We found that when people made an investment, no matter how small, into their recovery they did much better. People who come to us voluntarily, that is to say not compelled by a legal agency, are not charged any fee with the exception of a class workbook if they choose to buy one. We have found that the simple act of being willing to seek out recovery on their own is often the only investment they need to get started on the right path. The fee helps to lock in their commitment to the program and to their recovery. This commitment is often the key that results in a new level of success.

The $85.00 fee is a one time fee that covers the specific class materials ( $15.00 book ), all processing and reporting requirements, 13 weeks of class time, and individual counseling as needed. This fee in no way comes close to covering the actual cost of running Jacob’s Ladder.

The fact is the fees that we collect cover only a small percentage of the expenses created by Jacob’s Ladder. The balance is paid for by outreach investments from Praise Chapel. Along with three paid staff members, Jacob’s Ladder has 10 member volunteer staff. Among all the different programs available in Kingman and Mohave County Jacob’s Ladder has enjoyed the reputation of being the least expensive. Our goal has been to create a program that is both effective and affordable.

There is no doubt we have accomplished our goal. On average we receive 500 referrals from various agencies per year. Of those referred to us approximately 300 make contact and enroll in the program, and of those that enroll 275 graduate the program. This is a 92% completion rate. Our recidivism rate is less than 5%. This means that 92 out every 100 individuals compelled to attend Jacob’s Ladder spend 13 weeks or longer learning how to overcome the issues, the addictions, and dysfunctions that are destroying their lives, with less than 5 of those 92 returning. These statistics do not take in consideration all those that come to our program on a volunteer basis. From these people we hear stories of great impact. On any given week we have an average attendance of 125 to 150 people. Ninety to one hundred of those attending have been appointed to our program by a legal agency.