Lad Lake

Our research indicates that nearly all (92%) of Lad Lake youth in residential care have lived through multiple traumatic events. Many have lived through severe neglect. Some have been abused. Others witnessed violence. Nearly all experience psychological challenges. In fact, the vast majority (70%) of Lad Lake youth struggle with mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and ptsd. Lad Lake's trauma-informed evidence-based programs and caring staff are a critical component to helping youth succeed. Lad Lake residents and students are able to heal in a safe and therapeutic environment and benefit from: strength-based approach, psychiatric services, specialized therapies including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy (dbt), art and equine therapies, motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (met/cbt5), onsite staff trained in trauma-sensitive care utilizing the risking connections model and therapeutic groups helping youth develop skills to handle life's challenges including mindfulness practices, emotional regulation and dialectical behavioral therapy.

Through a community-based model, Lad Lake offers a variety of services including:in-home therapy, mentoring, supervised visitations and outpatient services to youth and families who have experienced crisis in their home life. Lad Lake helps youth with a range of needs including: emotional or developmental disabilities. Youth with alcohol or drug abuse dependencies, youth with mental health issues, youth with a history of truancy, youth with a history of familial problems, youth with a family member in prison and youth who have committed their first minor delinquent offense. Relying on a trauma-informed approach, Lad Lake staff provide services to families to promote healthy relationships and responsibility while encouraging families to work toward reunification. The programs are designed to work with youth and families toward healthier choices and supportive connections.

Lad Lake offers a variety of specialized academic programs for youth at-risk of school failure. Lad Lake operates three schools in milwaukee and dousman with programs that are specifically suited to meet the needs and challenges of each student. With a highly-individualized classroom environment, high teacher-to-child ratios, and onsite specialists and therapists, Lad Lake schools give students the greatest opportunity for success. Through its day schools and onsite schools at its two residential campuses, Lad Lake teachers help hundreds of kids with developmental and behavioral challenges succeed in school including: youth with developmental delays or behavioral disabilities, youth with alcohol or other drug dependencies, students with severe credit deficiencies, students at-risk of expulsion. For many of these youth, Lad Lake is their last hope at getting back on track academically. Lad Lake teachers offer individualized education plans for students, and are able to cater to their specialized needs. Through our educational programs, 76% of our youth increased their reading and math scores by 2 grade levels in one semester.

Comprehensive community services (ccs) is a voluntary program that provides client-centered and directed psychosocial services that promote recovery for eligible children and young adults of milwaukee county. Ccs focuses on helping people who have a mental health and/or a substance use diagnosis on their journey to recovery. The program is for people who have needs that, if ignored, could lead to being hospitalized in times of crisis. The purpose of comprehensive community support services is to surround individuals/families with the services and resources, in the community, that are necessary to promote recovery, rehabilitation, and resiliency. Those who qualify for ccs work with a care coordinator to develop an individualized plan of care. Individuals can choose from a wide range of services which is intended to help them; improve health, promote wellness, achieve personal goals and enhance overall quality of life.