Ascent 121 Residential Services
Ascent 121 joined forces with Lutheran Child & Family Services (LCFS) in 2014 to launch the Impact Program. Using best practices, we provide comprehensive residential services for teen girls with a history of commercial sexual exploitation and/or human trafficking. Clinical services are trauma-informed and strengths-based, using best practice service standards. Impact is available to girls between the ages of 12 and 18.
Successful intervention with these youth requires both rapid and long-term interventions to help the youth resist eloping or returning to their previous behavior. Continuity is vital and the residential component of programming is part of a larger continuum of care. Education, recreation and life-skills development are all offered on campus. Additionally, discipleship and off-site ancillary services such as job coaching, financial literacy and equine therapy are provided for youth as appropriate. Evidence-based practices utilized include: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Ecological Based Family Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. All services are strengths-based and intrinsically motivated.
The program is comprised of the following primary components:
Youth who have not already received a specialized comprehensive trauma assessment will initially be admitted to the program for a 45-day diagnostic period. Throughout this period they will also participate in all components of the Impact Program. Evaluation consists of child and family interviews, record review, interviews with collateral contacts, observation and assessment tools that measure trauma, substance abuse, elopement risk, exploitation. Upon completion of the assessment, a written report will be submitted back to the clinical team with comprehensive recommendations and treatment goals.
Youth in the Impact Program receive intensive individual, family and group therapies that are specifically designed to meet the unique treatment needs of the population that we serve. Youth who have been sexually exploited often present with unique vulnerabilities and distorted perceptions of relationships that require a highly specialized level of care. Goals and methods of therapeutic service delivery are determined by the initial evaluation. When appropriate, a community-based therapist will be assigned to focus on family engagement and stabilization of the home with the intent of preparing the family for reunification with their child. Therapy occurs both in the home and at the Lutherwood facility at a high level of intensity. This therapist acts as the lead for the multi-disciplinary treatment team, guiding the course of treatment and ensuring consistency of care. They will follow the child and continue services after successful step-down from the residential program.
A variety of groups are offered that focus on skill-development, psycho-education, symptom management, and trauma processing. These groups include, but are not limited to: MRT (symptom management), Seven Challenges (substance use), Seeking Safety (substance use), Art Therapy (trauma recovery), Skill Building (vocation), Equine Therapy (trauma recovery), Reclaiming Me (trauma recovery), and Financial Literacy (skill development).
Residents are provided with opportunities to learn, develop and practice life skills in a variety of settings while receiving performance feedback. Experiential activities are also used to teach vocation, proactivity, problem-solving, and generalization capacity in a non-threatening manner while expanding multiple senses for a deeper and more integrated learning experience.
Both Ascent 121 and LCFS are faith-based agencies committed to providing quality care with adherence to the core practice values and principles outlined by the Department of Child Services, including family centered, culturally competent service. The collaborative partnership between LCFS and Ascent 121 allows for the integration of specialized services and provides greater flexibility in meeting the needs of families and children.
Contact [email protected] for more information about the Impact Program.
Educational assessments are completed for each youth in the IMPACT Program and specific plan is established to assist with achieving academic success. Because many survivors of CSE have a history of limited school attendance, we provide credit recovery options which allow residents to work at their own individual pace.
Both Ascent 121 and LCFS are faith-based agencies committed to providing quality care with adherence to the core practice values and principles outlined by the Department of Child Services, including family centered, culturally competent service. The collaborative partnership between LCFS and Ascent 121 allows for the integration of specialized services and provides greater flexibility in meeting the needs of families and children.
Contact [email protected] for more information about the Impact Program.
