Jewish Family and Children’s Services

Contact Information

1430 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451

Phone: 781-693-5327

View the Jewish Family  & Children’s Services website

Information Specialist: Meredith Joy, MSW – Director of the Center for Basic Needs Assistance
E-mail:  info@jfcsboston.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Additional Locations: Worcester, Danvers

Organization Narrative

Jewish Family and Children’s Services is a comprehensive human services agency, providing assistance to new mothers, adoptive families, individuals with disabilities, elders and the financially disadvantaged.

Population(s) Served

Infants and new parents, adults, adults, seniors, indviduals with disabilities, couples, families

Language(s)

American Sign Language, Russian

Services

Contact The Disability Resource Network (DRN) for information on all disability services.
The Disability Resource Network (DRN) provides information, referral and consultation services to individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers.

Community Housing for Adult Independence (CHAI) offers a range of supported residential opportunities for adults with disabilities who want to live on their own.   In-home services are provided through a variety of staffing options, from around the clock care to a few hours of assistance per week.

CHAI Works is a day program for adults with developmental disabilities, offering volunteer, employment, social and wellness opportunities in the community.

Clinical Case Managementworks individually with adults challenged by life-long psychiatric conditions with goals of meeting basic needs, gaining stability and taking steps toward recovery.

Autism Spectrum Coordination and Coaching works individually with adults challenged by Asperger’s and other autism-related conditions to achieve educational, vocational and social life goals. Costs for these programs are based on an hourly rate.Thanks to our generous donors, subsidies are available for those who qualify.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP) Disability Trust
is a pooled disability trust through which families are able to provide lifetime supports to a family member.  Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP) manages the financial aspects of the trust and JF&CS oversees human service needs.

HALO Sunday Swim and Sing is a respite program (held Sunday afternoons at the JCC in Newton and the YMCA in Stoughton) which provides a recreational based respite program for children and adults who have moderate to severe neurological special needs.

Connect with Friends introduces teens (13-17) with disabilities to one another and facilitates connections through social networking to plan informal recreational activities. It is a parent supervised program, and also allows families to network with each other.

Chaverim Shel Shalom (Friends of Peace) is a social group and support network for adults with chronic psychiatric conditions.

Chaverim Chaim (Friends for Life) offers a monthly social activity for adults with developmental disabilities. This runs in collaboration with JCC Special Needs Programs and Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister.

Social Connections programs provide ongoing support and connections to the Jewish holidays, traditions and community.

Family Futures Planning works with families to develop a long-term plan for their adult child with disabilities.

Clients receiving disability services through JFCS also have access to other agency programs providing financial, home care, mental health, legal and nutrition assistance.

Eligibility/Criteria/Enrollment

Everyone is eligible

Fees

Most health insurances are accepted for home health and mental health services. There is a sliding fee scale available for those who have no insurance. Skills Training: Monthly fees for skills training are determined by the requirements of the learning.