Jacob’s Ladder: Giving Hope To Families
Jacob’s Ladder will soon be coming to Warsaw with a purpose of giving hope to families with special children.
The first Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center was established in Valparaiso, Ind., in 1998 when a need for more specialized pediatric care was not being met by current programs.
Jacob’s Ladder is an approved Indiana First Steps Agency, which is an early intervention program offering physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to children that have been diagnosed as developmentally delayed. This includes diagnoses of Autism spectrum disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, Juvenile Arthritis and other developmental disorders.
First Steps works with children and families from birth until 3 years of age; school programs tend to focus on skills needed to succeed in the classroom.
Jacob’s Ladder addresses all areas of development including life skills and socialization, and will work with the child and family until the child reaches the age of 18 in most cases. Jacob’s Ladder does work closely with school system therapists to cover needs that may not be addressed otherwise.
At Jacob’s Ladder, the goal is to teach “skills for the job of living,” helping the child with eating, playing and interacting skills that may be not be possible in traditional rehab settings. Some children may be left out of more traditional camps and other social opportunities. Jacob’s Ladder wants to become a focus for children and families to get together and share, with play groups for kids and support groups for families.
Jacob’s Ladder believes families with special needs children need to be supported, educated and empowered, to create the best possible future for that child.
Children need a referral from a physician to be part of Jacob’s Ladder, which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit outpatient rehabilitation facility that accepts Medicaid and private insurance, but will never want to turn away a child in need.
Fundraising is an important part of operating a facility like this, and Jacob’s Ladder has already found great support in Warsaw, with efforts by school groups and churches starting before the doors are even open.
All this would have been impossible, however, without the help of K21 Health Foundation and Kosciusko County Community Foundation, both of which have greatly assisted with startup costs. Jacob’s Ladder in Warsaw promises all funds raised locally stay in Kosciusko County. If you are interested in donating, please visit the Jacob’s Ladder website.
Jacob’s Ladder will be located at 3540 Commerce Dr., Warsaw, and remodeling is getting underway, with an anticipated opening by Nov. 1. Equipment is being ordered, staff and volunteers are signing up. Hours will depend on need with the expectation of being open until 7 p.m. several nights during the week.
For more information on Jacob’s Ladder, please visit www.jacobskids.org or call 219-764-4888 and to see the progress on the new Warsaw facility go to Facebook to www.facebook.com/jacobsladderinwarsaw.