Jewish Family And Childrens Service Of Minneapolis

TO SUPPORT PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

CAREER SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCAREER SERVICESCAREER SERVICES HELPED 1,185 INDIVIDUALS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND FIND MEANINGFUL WORK. IN THE PROGRAMS DESCRIBED BELOW, CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE COMPLETE CAREER ASSISTANCE INCLUDING RESUME DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES, INTERVIEWING SKILLS, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE. OUR PROGRAMS EMPOWER PEOPLE TO EXPLORE AND IDENTIFY THEIR VISIONS OF CAREER SUCCESS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO OR SUPPORT FOR CAREER TRAINING.CAREER COUNSELING AND COACHING HELPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, WHO ARE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE OR WHO WANT TO SEEK A BETTER JOB. THIS SERVICE INCLUDES CAREER ASSESSMENTS WITH PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETATION, INDIVIDUAL JOB-SEARCH COACHING SESSIONS, RESUME AND COVER LETTER CRITIQUE AND GOAL-SETTING SESSIONS TO CREATE AN INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN. WE SERVED 23 PEOPLE.THE DISLOCATED WORKER PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER COUNSELING TO WORKERS WHO ARE LAID OFF OR HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE OF PERMANENT LAYOFF OR TERMINATION. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER COUNSELING TO HELP PEOPLE MAKE STRATEGIC DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL FUTURES. THOSE WHO QUALIFY RECEIVE TRAINING FUNDS TO DEVELOP NEW SKILLS, UPDATE EXISTING SKILLS, OR OBTAIN REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS OR CREDENTIALS. WE SERVED 219 PEOPLE.IT PATHWAYS HELPS ENSURE THAT TWIN CITIES WORKERS HAVE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SECURE HIGH-WAGE, IN-DEMAND JOBS IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INDUSTRY. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON SKILL & CAREER ASSESSMENTS, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, & JOB PLACEMENT. IT PATHWAYS SUPPORTS PEOPLE TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE IT FIELD, INCLUDING WOMEN, VETERANS, PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOW INCOMES. IT PATHWAYS ALSO SUPPORTS LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO FILL IT JOBS. JFCS'S PARTNERS INCLUDE: CREATING IT FUTURES FOUNDATION, PRIME DIGITAL ACADEMY, THE SOFTWARE GUILD, ADULT OPTIONS IN EDUCATION, NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, IT CAREER LAB, AND OUR STRONG NETWORK OF EMPLOYERS. THE IT PATHWAYS PROGRAM SERVED 215 PEOPLE.THE JFCS MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (MFIP) CAREER SERVICES PROGRAM SERVES PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOMES WHO ARE PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN TO MOVE TOWARD SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT. ALL PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE AN ASSESSMENT AND AN EMPLOYMENT PLAN, WHICH OUTLINES PERSONALIZED STEPS NECESSARY TO REACH THEIR EMPLOYMENT GOAL. MFIP STAFF WORKED WITH 570 PEOPLE.PLATINUM, WHICH CONCLUDED OPERATIONS IN 2019, ASSISTED ADULTS 50 AND OLDER LIVING IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, OR ADULTS OF ANY AGE LIVING IN WESTERN HENNEPIN COUNTY, WHO WANTED TO RETOOL AND RE-ENTER THE WORKFORCE TO ACHIEVE CAREER SUCCESS. ASSISTANCE INCLUDED EMPLOYMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT, RESUME ASSISTANCE, COACHING IN NETWORKING, JOB SEARCH AND INTERVIEW SKILLS, AND MORE. 65 PEOPLE RECEIVED CAREER SERVICES IN THE PLATINUM PROGRAM.THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROVIDES PERSONALIZED SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, WHO ARE SEEKING TO IMPROVE THEIR WORK LIVES OR FIND EMPLOYMENT. THE PROGRAM OFFERS VOCATIONAL EVALUATION, JOB PLACEMENT, WORK ADJUSTMENT TRAINING AND EXTENDED EMPLOYMENT. WE SERVED 93 PEOPLE IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICESOUR MANY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO LIVE STABLE AND ENGAGED LIVES. THIS INCLUDES COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT AID STABILITY, SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND FOOD SECURITY. 3,786 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS.THE ACT PROGRAM RECOGNIZES THAT WHEN FAMILIES HAVE BASIC NEEDS SATISFIED, ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE AND STABLE HOUSING, THEIR CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET TO SCHOOL AND SUCCEED. ACT, WHICH SERVES FAMILIES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS IN THE ST LOUIS PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT, PROVIDES RESOURCES TO ASSIST WITH PARENTING SUPPORT, SCHOOL AND EDUCATIONAL CONCERNS, AND ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. 44 FAMILIES RECEIVED SERVICES. VOLUNTEER LUNCH BUDDIES GIVE CHILDREN A SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH A CARING ADULT. TWO CHILDREN PARTICIPATED WITH A LUNCH BUDDY.JFCS CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED WITH FUNDING FROM DEDICATED ENDOWMENTS, PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND CAMP TO BUILD NEW LIFE SKILLS, BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND CONNECT WITH PEERS ON A DEEPER LEVEL. 250 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TO CHILDREN, TOTALING $78,015.FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) TAKES JFCS OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND BRINGS THE COMMUNITY INTO JFCS THROUGH PRESENTATIONS, TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, SUPPORT GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS AND CONSULTATIONS. THE FOUNDATIONS OF FLE ARE COLLABORATION, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION WITH THE GOAL OF PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMMING INCLUDES TOPICS SUCH AS PARENTING WORKSHOPS, TEACHER TRAININGS, ADDRESSING INTERFAITH CHALLENGES, BULLYING, GRIEF AND LOSS, SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS, ADDRESSING CHALLENGING CURRENT EVENTS IN MEANINGFUL WAYS, AND BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS. 905 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN FLE PROGRAMS.OUR JEWISH YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAM (FORMERLY KNOWN AS JEWISH BIG BROTHER-BIG SISTER) IS A COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING PROGRAM FOR JEWISH-IDENTIFIED YOUTH THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE POSITIVE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL-SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. MATCH ACTIVITIES ARE TAILORED TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, INTERESTS, AND ABILITIES. MATCHES ARE MONITORED AND SUPPORTED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND PROVIDE POSITIVE ROLE MODELING, ACCESS TO JEWISH HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS, AND THE CHANCE TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH A FRIEND. 254 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING YOUTH, MENTORS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS.PARENTCHILD+ (FORMERLY THE PARENT-CHILD HOME PROGRAM), AN EVIDENCE-BASED EARLY LITERACY, PARENTING, AND SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM, IS COMMITTED TO CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAP BY PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH LOW-INCOMES THE SKILLS AND MATERIALS THEY NEED TO PREPARE THEIR CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE SUCCESS. EARLY LEARNING SPECIALISTS WORK WITH FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES TWO TIMES EACH WEEK FOR TWO YEARS STARTING WHEN THEIR CHILD IS 18 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS OLD. PARTICIPATING FAMILIES RECEIVE FREE EDUCATIONAL BOOKS AND TOYS, LEARN CREATIVE WAYS TO LEARN AND PLAY TOGETHER, AND RECEIVE SUPPORT TO HELP YOUNG CHILDREN GROW, LEARN, AND BE READY FOR PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN. PARENTCHILD+ PROVIDES INSTRUCTION IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, SOMALI AND HMONG. JFCS IS A REPLICATION SITE FOR THE NATIONAL PARENTCHILD+ PROGRAM. JFCS SERVES FAMILIES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL METROPOLITAN AREA, AND WE PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PARENTCHILD+ IN FOUR GREATER MINNESOTA LOCATIONS: CASS COUNTY, ROCHESTER, RICE COUNTY, AND ST. CLOUD. IN THE 2018-19 PROGRAM YEAR, PARENTCHILD+ SERVED 339 CHILDREN AND 482 CAREGIVERS. IN THE FAMILY CHILD CARE (FCC) MODEL, WHICH IS AN EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE, WE SERVED 37 CHILDREN AND FIVE CAREGIVERS/CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.PJ LIBRARY IS AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN JEWISH IDENTITY BY SENDING JEWISH-CONTENT BOOKS AND MUSIC ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO CHILDREN FROM AGE 6 MONTHS THROUGH 8 YEARS. PJ OUR WAY, A KID-DRIVEN PROGRAM FOR KIDS AGES 8 -11 ALLOWS THE KIDS TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN BOOK BASED ON THEIR OWN READING LEVEL AND INTERESTS. PJ LIBRARY ALSO HOSTS REGULAR COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR FAMILIES. ANY FAMILY WITH A JEWISH CONNECTION IS INVITED TO ENROLL AND RECEIVE BEAUTIFUL, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS. SHALOM BABY WELCOMES FAMILIES OF NEWBORNS AND BABIES, UP TO AGE TWO, TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. FAMILIES WITH NEWBORNS ARE INVITED TO OUR COMMUNITY BABY SHOWERS TO MEET OTHER FAMILIES AND RECEIVE FREE GOODIE BAGS AND A SUBSCRIPTION TO PJ LIBRARY. SHALOM BABY CIRCLE TIME IS AN ACTIVITY GROUP WITH MUSIC, SHAKERS, STORY TIME, TUMBLE TIME, YOGA, MASSAGE AND PARACHUTE PLAY. 1,468 FAMILIES SUBSCRIBED TO PJ LIBRARY. 710 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 50 EVENTS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 278 YOUTH CAMPERS PARTICIPATING IN A PJ PROGRAM AT CAMP.

COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - SEE SCHEDULE OCOUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICESJFCS COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES' HIGHLY SKILLED, LICENSED THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND CASE MANAGERS WORK WITH CARE AND COMPASSION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES PEOPLE FACE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. 2,906 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.COUNSELING IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE COUNSELOR AND CLIENT. OUR LICENSED THERAPISTS HELP CLIENTS IDENTIFY GOALS AND POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE EMOTIONAL TURMOIL, IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COPING SKILLS AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT, STRENGTHEN SELF-ESTEEM, PROMOTE BEHAVIOR CHANGE, FEEL BETTER AND FUNCTION AT THEIR BEST. OUR COUNSELING SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS, ADOLESCENTS & CHILDREN, COUPLES THERAPY, FAMILY THERAPY, PLAY THERAPY, PARENTING COACHING, GRIEF SUPPORT AND MORE. CLIENTS ARE REFERRED FROM OTHER PROGRAMS WITHIN THE AGENCY, FROM OTHER AGENCIES OR ARE SELF-REFERRED. OUR SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL. WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCE INCLUDING MEDICARE. 287 PEOPLE RECEIVED COUNSELING.WE DISTRIBUTED 159 EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS TOTALING $89,305. RECIPIENTS USED THESE FUNDS TO HELP WITH RENT, UTILITY BILLS, CAR REPAIRS, MEDICAL BILLS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND FOOD.OUR INTAKE AND RESOURCE CONNECTION (IRC) WORKED WITH 1,366 CALLERS, PROVIDING THEM WITH REFERRALS, RESOURCES AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. DEPENDING ON THE CALLERS' NEEDS, CLINICALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL STAFF REFER THEM TO THE BEST-MATCHED PROGRAM, WHETHER AT JFCS OR ANOTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.THE JEWISH FREE LOAN PROGRAM LENDS UP TO $7,500 TO RESIDENTS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES MINNESOTA AREA WITH A SPECIFIC NEED, WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE A CO-SIGNER. THE LOAN, TOGETHER WITH OTHER RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS, ENABLES RECIPIENTS TO BRIDGE AN OFTEN-UNEXPECTED FINANCIAL CHALLENGE. 13 PEOPLE HAD LOANS.JFCS PROVIDES LICENSING SUPERVISION FOR MSW GRADUATES WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD TAKING THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE EXAM. WE SERVED 27 PEOPLE IN THIS PROGRAM.THE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION CONFERENCE RAISES AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, AND OFFERS EDUCATION THROUGH AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH. THE CONFERENCE DRAWS PROFESSIONALS, PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THE CONFERENCE INCLUDES A KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS. 449 PEOPLE ATTENDED THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, AND 70 PEOPLE ATTENDED AN INTERFAITH MENTAL HEALTH COLLABORATIVE LUNCHEON.OUR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES (MHSS) PROGRAM SERVES ADULTS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS TO HELP PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, STABILITY AND HEALTH. PROFESSIONAL CASE MANAGERS ASSIST ADULTS LIVING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES BY COORDINATING AND OBTAINING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THEM, INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED TO HELP PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE, STABILITY AND HEALTH. CASE MANAGERS ASSIST WITH HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT. MHSS SERVED 315 PEOPLE.THE TWIN CITIES JEWISH HEALING PROGRAM SERVES PEOPLE WHO ARE JEWISH AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY ARE ENCOUNTERING LIFE-ALTERING MEDICAL SITUATIONS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION, BUT ARE UNAFFILIATED WITH A SYNAGOGUE. THE HEALING PROGRAM HAS CREATED A VITAL PARTNERSHIP WITH TWIN CITIES HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES AND HOSPICES IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY SENSITIVE CARE AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO THEIR JEWISH PATIENTS. TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AND CLERGY VISIT THOSE IN HEALTH CARE SITUATIONS WHO ARE IN NEED OF HEALING. THE HEALING PROGRAM SERVED 220 PEOPLE.