Our Programs
The Betty and Arthur Roswell Counseling Center
Jewish Family Service employs professional, licensed social workers in its counseling services program. They provide individual, couples, child, family and group therapy.
Some of the issues addressed include depression, family violence, drug and/or alcohol abuse, coping with divorce, coping with death and grieving, and all types of dysfunctional behavior.
JFS also has a therapy room specially designed for children.
JFS accepts Medicare and works with most managed care insurance providers. The sliding scale fee range is $25 to $125 and accommodations are made for those unable to pay.
Elderly Support Program
One of the top priorities of Jewish Family Service is serving the needs of the elderly, who are greatly in need of mental health counseling services and are motivated to obtain them. This population however presents a unique problem for mental health professionals as it is hindered by a lack of both mobility and public transportation. Our geriatric, licensed social workers, therefore, provide in-home mental health services such as assessment and therapy to senior citizens who live alone, in assisted living facilities or in group home facilities.
L'Chaim: Nourishing the Mind and Soul of our Elderly is a new collaborative volunteer visiting program that matches volunteers with isolated older persons living in the community, in an assisted living or nursing home. The purpose is to provide emotional and spiritual connection to enhance their quality of life. All of the older persons receive a geriatric assessment by a licensed clinical social worker from JFS. Appropriate referrals are made.
This program is available in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties at no charge.
Career Services Program
In the Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties County area, Jewish Family Service is one of the very few agencies that offer comprehensive and individualized services on a sliding scale basis to individuals seeking employment who do not have a specific barrier to employment. Even though they may not have a barrier such as a disability, many such individuals have difficulty finding employment on their own due to the emotional impact of job loss and the tight job market.
Staffed by an experienced employment counselor, the program offers the following services to individuals who are unemployed, underemployed and those seeking a career change:
- Individual career counseling and career exploration
- Interview coaching
- Resume critique and preparation
- Job search techniques and support
- Networking resources
- Monthly Job Seekers Support Group—Focuses not only on the dynamics of a job search but on the emotional aspect of losing a job or changing careers on the individual and their family.
- Mental Health Counseling—The Career Services Program staff works closely with the counseling staff to insure that all the mental health needs of each client is met.
The sliding fee scale ranges from $25-$75 and accommodations are made for those unable to pay.
Special Needs Programs
Jewish Family Service offers several special needs programs:
- Parent Education Series — An annual program held in the fall on parenting a child with special needs. (Program underwritten by PNC Wealth Management)
- Teen Activity Group (TAG) — Fun activities and socializing for teens diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
- Sibling Support Group — A group for brothers and sisters of children with special needs. Meet other siblings who have similar experiences in a relaxed atmosphere. (Funded in part by a generous donation in memory of Matthew Bernstein)
- Parent Support Group — A group for parents with a special needs child. An opportunity to come together with other parents who share similar experiences of parenting.
All JFS Special Needs Programs receive financial support from the Nancy L. and Arthur E. Lee Family Fund for Special Needs.
Family Mentor Program
The Family Mentor Program is designed to provide in-home support, information and advocacy to Somerset County Families. There is a special focus on families with children under the age of 10 and frail, isolated older adults. It addresses the needs of families that are feeling overwhelmed, by promoting strengths and capacities within the family unit by matching a trained community volunteer with each family. The program supports the family's ability to successfully address challenges, rather than focusing on problems. The Family Mentor Program's major outcome is the promotion of emotional health of children and adults. The program is free of charge and open to the entire community, regardless of religion or cultural background.
Community volunteers from all walks of life, male and female, are recruited and screened to become “Family Mentors”. Volunteer mentors are specially trained and supervised by licensed clinical social workers. Once the volunteer is “matched” through a joint home visit between Program staff, the family and the volunteer, families have an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their mentor and receive information, modeling, support, and advocacy to optimize the family's functioning.
The Mentor arranges for home visits at convenient times and with the family plans activities based on goals the family establishes. The Mentor visits weekly for 1-3 hours during the first 3 months, and as arranged and appropriate during the next 9 months (generally at least bi-weekly) and by phone as needed. Mentors and families identify activities that support modeling of new behaviors for the family, participating in community events and activities with their mentor, and with other families participating in the program. Program staff are available to the mentor to triage any areas of difficulty, brainstorm activities which support family growth, identify community resources, and coordinate monthly meetings between all volunteer mentors for shared learning.
Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program
A grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany has been obtained by Jewish Family Agencies of New Jersey to assist Holocaust survivors. Jews who resided in European countries, which were subject to Nazi rule and control between 1933 and 1945, are eligible. They also must currently reside in the state of New Jersey. Services include home health care and companion services, case management services and Café Europa, a monthly social group.
Ohr Tikvah Jewish Healing Program
Ohr Tikvah (Light of Hope) Jewish Healing Program provides outreach, support and pastoral care to Jewish community members, particularly individuals who are not affiliated with a specific congregation. The program also provides programs and services for individuals in psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, senior residences, and special needs facilities to offer them a connection to the Jewish community.
Refugee Assistance
Jewish Family Service has a history of assisting émigrés from many countries including the former Soviet Union, Kosovo, Iran and Columbia. The émigrés receive help to acculturate them into the community by referring them to English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, introducing them to the community and providing mental health and career counseling, when necessary.
Family Life Education
The agency makes speakers available to the entire community on a variety of mental health related topics. Articles on mental health issues are also often written by our staff and appear in local newspapers.
Kosher Food Assistance
Emergency food vouchers are available to individuals in our community who are financially eligible.
Information and Referral Services
Information and referral is offered in response to daily inquires and requests for services in Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties. Individuals contact Jewish Family Service with a problem or need and are referred to the appropriate agency or service provider.
