Parental Coaching
Respectful Approach
Friendly Environment
You're in Professional, Caring Hands with JLFS
Jacob’s Ladder Family Services programs allow parents to maintain a healthy relationship with their child or children and to have the opportunity to continue their important role as a parent.
Parent education and coaching services that meet the guidelines of county child protection services in Minnesota.
About Jacobs Ladder Family Service Parent Education:
Nurturing Parenting Program: Build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglectful parenting and child-rearing practices, in order to prevent continue interventions of social services in families. Lower the rate of teenage pregnancies, reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency and alcohol abuse, and stop the intergenerational cycle of child abuse. Parenting that focus on both the mental and emotional health of both the parent and child/ren.
A Respectful Approach: A program that consider the multiple influences that impact a family—such as housing, community, school, extended family, work, finances, and more—have been shown to have more success (Samuelson, 2010). This approach ties in with connecting families to service groups to best meet the needs of the family.
Target Population: All families at risk for abuse and neglect with children birth to 18 years. The services have been adapted to for the inclusion of: Hmong families, Hispanic families, African-American families, teen parents, foster and adoptive families, families in alcohol treatment and recovery, parents with special learning needs, and families with children with health challenges. The program focus on prevention and/or on comprehensive parenting education, depending on the needs of the family.
Founder and Educator
Jacobs Ladder Family Services
11500 Wayzata Blvd. #1327
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Administration Email:
jlfs@jacobsladderfamilyservices.org
Referral Management:
rmdept@jacobsladderfamilyservices.org
Jacobs Ladder Family Services
11500 Wayzata Blvd. #1327
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Referral Management:
Administration Email:
Phone: 763 200-1573
Dysheka Sanders - Full-Time Administrator, Parent Educator, and Visitation Supervisor
Dysheka Sanders founded Jacobs Ladder Family Services after her journey as a single mother of four, which began at the age of 19. Her advocacy began in Illinois, where she witnessed racially biased disciplinary practices in schools. After relocating to Minnesota in pursuit of better educational opportunities, she continued to encounter similar systemic barriers.
In 2007, Sanders launched Jacobs Ladder Inc., a nonprofit organization, as a youth mentoring program and wrote the inspirational play “You Called Me” to uplift children who have been impacted by trauma.
To deepen her impact, Sanders earned degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Minneapolis Community College and pursued further studies at Augsburg University and the University of Minnesota’s State Colleges, Metropolitan State University. From 2016 to 2022, she served at Families in Transition Services as a visitation supervisor and parenting coach, where she developed a nine-chapter parenting curriculum focused on breaking intergenerational cycles, rebuilding family bonds, and reducing Child Protection involvement through transformative parenting strategies. Dysheka has expanded her parenting journey as a foster parent since 2017, fostering multiple children, while adopting two other children, extending her commitment to family stability and healing.
“I truly believe children/teens are often misunderstood. If we can each be a source of smiles for the next generations, I think we can help erase trauma and hate from our country. It’s something we all need to work on together.”
JACOBS LADDER FAMILY SERVICES SUB-CONTRACTORS
Dr. Aubrey – Part-Time Visitation Supervisor and Parent Educator
I am Dr. Aubrey. I have my doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP) from the University of Western States. I own my own business, which is an SPP business, where I work with and help athletes, performers, and teams on the mental side of sports and performance. I have a minor in athletic coaching and a concentration in positive coaching. My dissertation was on parental involvement and athlete motivation.
I have 3 years of experience as a sports psychologist. I have 7 years of experience working as a teacher at a daycare center. I also worked as a treatment coordinator at New Freedom, Inc. back in 2021. Lastly, I have been a high school volleyball coach for six years, with an additional two years of volunteering experience.
I have grown up with and around family and friends in the social work/CPS field. It is a huge reason why I am so passionate about the field of psychology and working with others. I find the brain fascinating to learn about and understand. I also strongly believe in the importance of social connection and being surrounded by good people.
My faith is vital to me. I am also a huge family girl. My family has roughly 25-35 people over at our house every week for family supper, which is my favorite part of the week. I am also passionate about learning and improving myself. I love spending time with family and friends, watching/playing sports, savoring coffee, binge-watching “Friends” and crime shows/documentaries, solving puzzles, taking walks, and reading.
Brooklyn – Part-Time Virtual Parent Educator
I graduated from Augsburg University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, having studied psychology and Sociology for four years. My focus was on the emotional, social, and cognitive development of children, which led me to become a teacher for six years.
My day-to-day responsibilities include helping children on the autism spectrum and those who have behavioral disorders due to home circumstances. I also spend a significant amount of time assisting parents in improving their parenting skills and gaining a deeper understanding of their children. This creates a happier outcome for the parents and children involved. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance in life and should have access to the resources they need, whether to better themselves or help their families.
I am very passionate about working with families and helping them improve their relationships. Through my role as a teacher, I have helped many families build strong bonds with their children. I look forward to assisting more families as a Parent Educator. Outside of work, I am passionate about reading and fitness because I believe in taking care of both your body and your mind. I love to hike during the summer with my friends and my dog. This is something I look forward to as the weather gets warmer!
The values I live by include compassion, gratitude, balance, and empathy. I choose these values because they have always helped me stay afloat, even amid all the chaos happening in the world. I believe it’s essential to cultivate gratitude whenever possible, reminding ourselves that life can be beautiful and to extend compassion to those who have consistently faced hardship. Having empathy has fueled my passion for helping others, which is why I choose to work in this field: to improve their lives. To make our lives easier, we need to find balance in all aspects of our lives—whether that’s work, school, or family.
Jessica – Part- Time Visitation Supervisor
My name is Jessica, and I currently work full-time as an Administrative Specialist in the financial services industry, where I’ve been employed for the past 11 years. While I might seem reserved at first, I am very outgoing and enjoy both talking and listening. I consider myself a helpful person and always want to ensure everyone is doing well. I also believe in the power of a smile, as it can brighten someone’s day.
Family is incredibly important to me. I’m a mom to two wonderful children, a girl and a boy, who are my top priority. You can also be assured that any child in my care will always be safe. I am a strong advocate for children and firmly believe they all deserve unconditional love, encouragement, patience, and a secure environment.
My love for children goes way back to my babysitting days. Now, as a mother to a child with high needs, I’m even more driven to learn everything I can to support them. Understanding a child’s needs and meeting them where they are is something I deeply value. I believe children should have the freedom to express themselves while also learning about boundaries and the importance of respect. Their young minds are constantly learning, and it’s crucial to nurture them with positive influences.
Latasha - Part-Time Visitation Supervisor and Parent Educator
My name is LaTasha, and I am the Assistant Dean of Students at Hiawatha Leadership Academy Northrop. I have been at Hiawatha for 8 years. Before that, I worked in the Early Childhood Development field for over 30 years, holding various positions, including Aide, Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, and Director. I also worked in Family Services as a Parent Supervisor and Parent Educator for 5 years. After taking a break for a couple of years, I am currently back in the field.
I am incredibly passionate about working with children. I enjoy supporting children in developing their social-emotional skills and in their academic learning. It warms my heart when I help children smile, laugh, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. One of my strongest qualities is building trusting relationships and rapport. I want children to know my care is genuine and heartfelt. I also extend this strength to children’s parents, guardians, and siblings.
My educational background is in Child Development and Education. I hold two Associate’s Degrees, a Child Development Certificate, and I am currently working on my Bachelor’s in Education/Licensing.
The values I live by include compassion, gratitude, balance, and empathy. I choose these values because they have always helped me stay afloat, even amid all the chaos happening in the world. I believe it’s essential to cultivate gratitude whenever possible, reminding ourselves that life can be beautiful and to extend compassion to those who have consistently faced hardship. Having empathy has fueled my passion for helping others, which is why I choose to work in this field: to improve their lives. To make our lives easier, we need to find balance in all aspects of our lives—whether that’s work, school, or family.
Natasha - Part-Time Virtual Referral Management Administrator
My name is Natasha, and like Gemini I am, I am driven by a wide range of interests, dreams, and ambitions. My diverse work experience in sales, data entry, and customer service reflects my curiosity and ability to adapt.
I have a deep passion for reading and learning, which inspired me to pursue a degree in Accounting at Purdue University. Although I studied accounting, my long-term goal is entrepreneurship, specifically in the real estate sector. I would like to own several residential and commercial properties. I view investing in real estate as not just a way to build wealth, but as a stepping stone towards owning and operating multiple streams of income. I also have a strong interest in home décor, fashion, and film—areas where I enjoy expressing my creativity. On a personal level, I’m a spiritual person who practices daily meditation. This practice grounds me, helping me stay centered, calm, and positive in all areas of life. I value growth, balance, and purpose, and I’m always seeking opportunities that align with those principles.
Nicole - Part-Time Virtual Referral Management Administrator
My name is Nicole. I have a passion for data and finance that began when I was young. Growing up around poverty sparked my curiosity about systems that seemed out of reach. This curiosity grew into a passion, eventually leading me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Purdue University in 2022. During that time, I developed an interest in financial analysis and trading, which resulted in a couple of years working as a Derivatives Trader.
I completed a Master of Science in Data Analytics from Western Governors University in 2024 and am currently pursuing a certificate in Data Science. My goal is to reach a point where I can help others improve their financial literacy and break cycles of generational poverty, especially in communities like the one I came from.
Outside of work and study, I enjoy all things girly, including shopping, hair, makeup, skincare, and fashion. I believe you can be both nerdy and feminine, and I embrace both parts of who I am.
Danielle – Part-Time Visitation Supervisor and Parent Educator
My name is Danielle, and I would love to provide a brief overview of my professional background as a Part-Time Visitation Supervisor and Parent Educator.
I am a dedicated human services professional currently pursuing a degree in Human Services, with a focus on equitable access, community support, and family well-being. With a strong background in child development and management, I bring a deep understanding of how individuals and families grow, learn, and navigate life’s transitions.