Latham Centers Receives Two-Year Training Grant from The Peter & Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation

Latham Centers, Inc. announced today that it has been a awarded a two-year grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation in the amount of $60,750 for 2012 and 2013. The grant, awarded via the foundation’s Intellectual Disabilities grants track, will be used for staff training and implementation of the Circle of Courage Response Ability Pathway curriculum.  The model focuses on interventions, communication skills and team building for the treatment of at-risk children.  Ultimately, the grant will help Latham staff to more deftly identify triggers, strengths and abilities in each of its students with intellectual disabilities.

As a residential school for children with serious emotional, behavioral and intellectual challenges, Latham has been committed to continually evolving its methods of caring for its students, many of whom have experienced trauma in their lives.  The Circle of Courage model will better prepare and empower Latham School children to de-escalate certain behaviors with staff assistance and guidance.  Founded in 1970, Latham Centers received full accreditation by the international Council on Accreditation earlier in 2011.  This is the first major grant Latham Centers has received from the Tower Foundation.

“This significant commitment from the Tower Foundation allows us to fully implement and train all of Latham’s Children’s Services staff in this innovative intervention model,” according to Anne McManus, Executive Director.  “As we focus on defining each child as an individual, and developing treatments responsive to their needs, these trainings will assist staff in refining existing skills to most adeptly respond to our students. In turn, our students will also possess more learned coping skills as they work to lead responsible, fulfilling lives into adulthood. This cutting-edge training and approach will only help to further differentiate Latham from other treatment programs of its kind.”

Contributed by:
Gerry Desautels
Director of Development