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JFCS NEWS
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Cherry Hill Office:
1301 Springdale Road
Suite 150
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Phone: 856-424-1333
Mount Laurel Office:
Suite 702 Birchfield Drive
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: 856-778-7775
Website: www.jfcssnj.org
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Greetings!
Samost Jewish Family & Children's Service (JFCS) is pleased to bring you the latest online edition of the JFCS NEWS. Our use of email communication enables us to lower our printing and mailing costs, while being kind to the environment. As you probably already know, JFCS provides affordable and effective counseling and support services to residents of Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties. Our agency is a busy place these days, providing many innovative programs and services to our community members. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and that you find some time to sit down with a glass of iced tea or lemonade and read "all about us".
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JFCS goes to Washington!
Political advocacy provides a great opportunity to give a voice to our agency to secure the funding and legislative help that we need to better serve our community. JFCS Executive Director Jen Weiss, Board President Andi Levin, Senior Services Social Worker Rebecca Rosenau, and Board Members Hope Morgan and Maxine Butler traveled to Washington, DC recently to participate in the Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies (AJFCA) 2010 Advocacy Mission. The purpose was to address support and funding concerning programs to support aging in place, and specific needs related to seniors.
Back Row: Rebecca Rosenau, Jen Weiss, & Andrea Steinberg (Executive Director of JFS of Atlantic & Cape May Counties); Front Row: Anna Feldman (Board President of JFS of Atlantic & Cape May Counties) & Andi Levin
They heard from and spoke with congressmen and senators on the local and national levels, and, in particular collaborated with Congressman Robert E. Andrews, who represents New Jersey's First Congressional District, to discuss a number of potential new outreach and funding ideas in collaboration with community resources. They also met with the offices of Congressman John Adler and Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez to discuss the needs of the special needs population and other programming for the people we serve, such as the need for safe and efficient transportation for seniors. As part of our ongoing commitment to increase our advocacy activities, Rebecca will be devoting part of her work time serving as a political advocacy representative, to assist Jen in these endeavors. |
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JFCS receives COA Accreditation
JFCS rocks! We are delighted to announce that the agency was recently re-accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). In addition, our accreditation was expedited through the Pre-Commission Review Report (PCR) process because we did not receive a single out-of-compliance rating in any of the fundamental practice standards! In fact, the complete report reveals that we received a rating of one (with an occasional two) on a scale of one-to-five on 36 pages of standards!
This is truly an amazing and rare achievement for any JFCS, and it says a great deal about this agency that we meet or exceed all standards! In the words of COA President and CEO Richard Klarberg: "Let me say how significant this achievement is! It represents the fulfillment of countless hours of hard work and the dedication of many people - most notably your staff and the members of your board."
COA identifies providers that have set high performance standards for themselves and have made a commitment to their constituents to deliver the highest quality services. JFCS is proud to be recognized as one of these outstanding providers. COA re-accreditation is an objective and reliable verification that provides confidence and support to an organization's service recipients, board members, staff, and community partners. The COA re-accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of both an organization's administrative operations and its service delivery practices. All are "measured" against national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are acceptable, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. In addition, they confirm that the services are provided by a skilled and supported workforce and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
The details of this report will soon be made public. Preparing for this audit involved extremely detailed groundwork which took over a year to complete. Our staff and board are all to be commended for an excellent job!
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JFCS and AJFCA roll out Long-Term Care Insurance Program
JFCS has always been on the forefront of providing services that preserve the health, well-being, and dignity of the senior population. Now the offering of a brand new long-term care insurance policy enables us to bring our services a step even further into the future. JFCS rolled out this new program with two events in June.
Approximately 35 insurance brokers, Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies (AJFCA) President Lee Sherman, Federation agency executives, and insurance executives from around the country attended a breakfast hosted by JFCS on June 15th to learn about this groundbreaking program and its benefits. On June 23rd, 20 community members attended a free seminar featuring Scott Seligman, President of Seligman Financial Group, who discussed the nuts and bolts of long-term care insurance, and what people should know about making good decisions concerning insurance. The seminar sparked a great deal of interest and many questions from the audience. More seminars are planned for the future.
 Gary Katelman of LTC Benefits Group, Inc., AJFCA President Lee Sherman, & Jen Weiss
A partnership between JFCS and the AJFCA National Care Network has made this comprehensive policy available at a discounted membership rate. This means that community members can protect themselves and their loved ones while benefiting JFCS. For the low membership fee of only $18, they can join the AJFCA National Care Network, which entitles them to comprehensive coverage at a 5% discounted rate, which is in addition to all existing lower premium rates and discounts traditionally available to individuals who are in a preferred rate class due to better-than-average health.
JFCS will also benefit from this program, since the agency is licensed to provide many of the program's available in-home services. This provides an incredible opportunity to help JFCS sustain its programs and services for seniors, while allowing our community members to plan for their own future or that of a loved one, and the $18 membership fee will be re-granted back to JFCS to be used to help fund local senior-based programs and services. Executive Director Jen Weiss spearheaded the development and implementation of the program. The program is brand new to the long-term care insurance marketplace and is the wave of the future.
Look for more information on our partnership with a Jewish Community Foundation advisory group, and a series of informative seminars coming soon to a synagogue near you! You can also find more information on our website.
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Day Program coming for young adults with special needs
JFCS recognizes that learning doesn't just come abruptly to an end when a young adult graduates from high school. So it is with great excitement that our Special Needs Program will be launching TOPS (To Our Positive Success), a new day program planned this fall for individuals with special needs who are 21 and over.
This will be the first such program sponsored by our agency in cooperation with Jewish Senior Housing & Healthcare, and it will be housed at the Gesher House complex, a Federation senior housing facility located at 3025 Chapel Avenue in Cherry Hill. It provides the perfect venue, with two large classrooms, a computer lab, and an exercise room. It is air conditioned, wheelchair accessible, and located along a NJ Transit bus route. Individuals interested in participating should be eligible for self-directed day services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
The day program will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and individuals will be able to attend one or two days, with the cost expected to be $80 per day. This program will provide JFCS with a potential opportunity to generate additional revenue for our Special Needs Program. An array of workshops and courses will help expand the skills of our participants, encouraging them to become more independent. The program will be targeted towards helping the participants gain more independent living skills and developing lifelong hobbies, while having fun in the process.
Three different areas will be covered:
Life Skills Preparation: Offering cooking, nutrition, menu planning, grooming, hygiene, money management, household management skills, and gardening.
Pre-Vocational Skills: Social skills for achieving and maintaining relationships in the community, creative writing workshops, and computer skills, with emphasis on software programs and how to safely use the internet.
Personal Skills Development: Classes will be offered in a variety of arts, including crafts, photography, gardening, fitness, and dance/movement/mime. The emphasis will be on creating projects that can be displayed or sold at craft fairs or bazaars.
The Gesher House and adjacent Dubin House are home to senior residents, and it is anticipated that some residents living in the complex will be available to assist with programming, either by volunteering or participating side-by-side. Special Needs Program Director Barbara Abrams says the program is currently looking for volunteers with talents or skills to lead workshops. Give her a call at 856-424-1333 or email specialneeds@jfedsnj.org if you are interested in volunteering or know someone who may be. TOPS is also looking for donations of board games, books and magazines, a CD player, videos and CD's, and furniture such as sofas, coffee tables, bookcases, a cot, blankets, and bedding.
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Emergency Cancer Fund update
Just when you think JFCS can't possibly do one more thing to help those in need in our community, we'd like to share with you how our newly established Cancer Emergency Support Fund helps individuals who have been touched by cancer and who need assistance with their non-medical related expenses such as rent and utilities. This assistance helps give them peace of mind so they can focus on their medical challenges.
Funding for this program is provided from a $45,000 check from Joe and Iva Samost, who originally agreed to be matching sponsors, as well as the net proceeds of $10,000 for JFCS from the community Walk for Family & Friends With Cancer held on April 17th at a park in Voorhees. The combined funds have enabled us to touch the lives of 56 people, with over $32,850 given out so far.
Here are a few more details:
- Most of the requests are to pay a mortgage bill or a utility bill.
- We have sent one 6 year old boy to camp for the summer.
- We have paid for day care for another child for several weeks.
- We purchased an air conditioner so that a cancer patient is more comfortable in the summer heat as she goes through treatment.
- We average about 4 - 6 requests per week from people all over New Jersey who are looking for help.
- We are working with a cancer patient to help her get needed repairs to her car so she can get to her treatments.
Cancer Coordinator Margery Dannenbaum reports that her phone has been ringing off the hook with requests for help. The good news is that it is obvious from the response that we are making a difference in the lives of individuals who not only have to deal with a cancer diagnosis but who are also struggling to pay their bills. The downside is that we will soon be running out of money and will need to find a new way to replenish the fund. To find out how you can help, contact Margery at 856-424-1333 or email cancersupport@jfedsnj.org.
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September 5-11 is National Suicide Prevention Week
Did you know that over 34,000 people in the United States commit suicide every year? Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years in the United States. It is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old, and the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Suicide can be prevented if you recognize the signs of depression and seek help.
Do you know the signs of depression?
In Adults
- Feeling sad, anxious, or hopeless
- Feelings of guilt or unworthiness
- Loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Restlessness or irritability
In Children and Teens
- Spends a lot of time alone in his or her room
- Losing touch with friends or changing circle of friends
- Missing school or not doing school work
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
- Appears irritable or constantly angry, taking out anger on family
- Physical symptoms, such as a chronic headache or stomach-ache
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Talks about suicide or gives away favorite possessions
It is crucial to get help if someone you know exhibits any or some of these signs of depression. Call JFCS at 856-424-1333 and request an immediate appointment with one of our therapists. Let them know this cannot wait. Don't delay...this could be a life-threatening problem!
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September is also Addictions Month
Did you know that one of every eight Americans has a significant problem with alcohol or drugs? Approximately 27 million Americans either use illicit drugs regularly or are "heavy drinkers". Of these, almost 16 million are estimated to need immediate treatment. By age eighteen, almost 12% of all young people are illicit drug users. The estimated annual direct cost to our society resulting from substance abuse is more than 250 billion dollars!
To better serve individuals and families who are struggling with addictions, JFCS is merging two addictions programs into one free weekly support group intended for both Jews who are interested in recovery from addictions as well as for those who have a loved one who's addicted, and looking to find support and fellowship within a Jewish context. This group starts October 4, 2010, serving all Jews in the recovery community. Participants will enjoy fellowship, support, social activities, and discussions integrating Jewish texts and study. Confidentiality and anonymity are strictly respected. If you know someone who may be interested, contact Meira at 856-424-1333 or email addictions@jfedsnj.org, or contact Scott at 856-816-3812.
Click here for more information about our addictions support and National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
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JFCS welcomes your suggestions and ideas about how we can improve our programs and services. In particular, we are interested in knowing if there is any interest in group therapy sessions or support groups on topics such as depression, anger management, surviving separation, raising teenagers, and other relationship issues. Contact Lydia Silpe, JFCS Groups Coordinator, at 856-778-7775 or email supportgroups@jfedsnj.org. For any other questions or information, please don't hesitate to call me at 856-424-1333.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dubrow Weiss
Executive
Director |
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Sponsor Spotlight
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey
The Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation
Iva and Joe Samost
DREAMER
David and Marilyn Krupnick
VISIONARY
Betsy and Peter Fischer
Judy and Donald Love
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Family Beach Portraits for only $250!
Have
a beautiful professional portrait taken of your family while benefiting
Samost Jewish Family & Children's
Service of Southern New Jersey and Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties!
Package includes the sitting
fee, CD, and copyright. Click here for more information in
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
To
schedule your portrait sitting, email beachphotos@jfsatlantic.org. |
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Don't pass on this super event!
Mark your calendar for Stepping Out With JFCS!
Game Day: Saturday, February 5, 2011 Kick-Off: 7:00PM Stadium: Congregation Beth El 8000 Main Street, Voorhees Ticket Price:
$90 per person Agency sponsorships start at $500 and include at least 2 season passes to Stepping Out. Visit our website at www.jfcssnj.org for more information or call 856-424-1333. |
Kosher Meals-on-Wheels Fabulous Fall Special
Treat yourself or a loved one to delicious and nutritious kosher meals.
During
October and November, first-time purchasers of Kosher Meals-on-Wheels
can get five meals for just $25! That's like getting one meal FREE!
To order, call Maxine at 856-751-3343, ext. 3.
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Samost Jewish Family &
Children's Service is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Southern
New Jersey and proud  recipient of funding from
Federation's Annual
Campaign, The Raymond & Gertrude R. Saltzman Foundation, Jewish
Community Foundation, and United Way of Burlington and Camden Counties.
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