Developmental Disabilities
Barbara Abrams, Developmental Disabilities Program Director
856-424-1333 • babrams@jfedsnj.org
The Developmental Disabilities program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey helps individuals who have developmental disabilities lead independent and productive lives. A variety of services enhance the quality of their lives, including case management, supported employment, support groups, respite care, advocacy, a newsletter, and networking opportunities for families and caregivers.
Services include:
- Special Events: Abilities Day, Transition Conference and Resource Fairs, and other programs offer experts, workshops and community resource information for individuals with special needs and their caretakers. In addition, holiday celebrations are open to the community throughout the year.
- Groups: Sibshop groups provide brothers and sisters of individuals who have developmental disabilities opportunities to share common joys and concerns in a relaxed recreational setting.
- Respite Services: Provides temporary relief from care-giving duties for eligible families who have a child with special needs living at home, through the Family Support Program of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
The SAIL Program: The SAIL (Supports to Achieve Independent Living) Program offers support and services for individuals who are living on their own or preparing to live on their own in the community.
Supports for the SAIL program include: Case Management; Independent Life Skills Coaches to assist with money management, housekeeping, shopping, nutrition and cooking, safety issues, and health care needs; leisure activities; interpersonal relationship skills; individual counseling; vocational services and job coaching; transportation training; and 24-hour on-call services. A new SAIL recreational program is underway, which provides opportunities for participants to compete in sports and enjoy other recreational activities with new friends. The SAIL recreational program provides opportunities for participants to compete in sports and enjoy other recreational activities.
Vocational Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Lois Forman, Vocational Services Coordinator
856-424-1333 • lforman@jfedsnj.org
The Vocational Program of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Southern New Jersey has a vocational coordinator and several employment specialists and job coaches who prepare and coach individuals with special needs for competitive employment. Samost JFCS is an approved Supported Employment Vendor through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which enables Samost JFCS to offer numerous job support services for individuals with developmental disabilities. To date we have placed over two thirds of our clients.
Vocational services include:
- Situational Assessments which evaluate an individual's job skills at community-based job sites
- Job Development seeks to match individuals with appropriate employment opportunities based on skills and interests
- Job Coaching which provides employment training to assist individuals with learning the skills of a new job and meeting employer expectations.
- Job Sampling - through arrangements with local school districts, Samost JFCS offers various job sampling opportunities for students who will be transitioning from high school.