What will happen to people like Sui Chan when the government implements a 4.5 percent cut to programs serving people with disabilities?

Find out here....

Advocacy Makes An Impact

On March 5, 2013, JBFCS Board members and Executive staff traveled to the State Capitol in Albany to advocate for our legislative priorities this year just in time for the 2013/14 budget debate.

They met with policymakers in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and Children and Families Committee. Their focus in this mission was on the potentially devastating consequences of the 6% cut to Developmental Disability Services. We had time in every meeting to give the context of five years of rising costs and flat revenues, the importance of restoring and expanding protections to Medicaid recipients requiring prescription medications, and the need to restore technology funding. We had some successes in other areas.

The good news is....

Moving Up

Kaplan House residents have been busy getting out in the community to do good! Each month, the young men of Kaplan House (JBFCS' residence for young men aging out of the foster care system) have the opportunity to participate in volunteer events around the city. Each event creates a chance to give back to others, meet people, interact with the local community, and build work experience. Residents have wrapped gifts for younger children in foster care, selected clothing and other necessary items for families in need, cleaned the East River Park after Hurricane Sandy, and served food to local community members at a soup kitchen.

See what the kids at Kaplan House had to say here....

March marks National Social Worker Month. As an agency that employs more than 300 social workers, we know the value of the care and responsibility that social workers offer their clients.

Finish reading over at Paul's Corner....

It's An Honor

JBFCS is the recipient of the Reintegration Award for Housing given by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. The Council sifted through 1,000 applicants before deciding on their honorees. The stories told will be shared on TheNationalCouncil.org/Awards and should be on everyone’s must-read list. The ceremony takes place on April 9.

On Sunday, March 3, the UJA Women’s Executive Committee visited with the children living in our Ittleson Residential Treatment Center. Emotionally traumatized children ages 5 to 13 are cared for at Ittleson with intensive treatment and special education. The women from UJA spent time tie-dying T-shirts and making jewelry with the kids, fostering their creativity. A good time was had by all.

Jerome “Jay” Goldsmith, the first CEO of the newly minted JBFCS in 1978, died on Tuesday evening, March 12. Jay was instrumental in developing the residential treatment facility model. Dr. Goldsmith made a significant difference in federal and state policies and in funding for programs for people living with mental illness and developmental disabilities.

Click here to see JBFCS’ words of remembrance for Dr. Goldsmith.....