Ferd And Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Childrens Svc Of Plm Bch

TO STRENGTHEN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY BY EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN SERVICES.

LONG-TERM CARE DIVISION: CASE MANAGEMENT IS A CORE PROGRAM OF COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL INTERVENTION PRIMARILY TO SENIORS, BUT ALSO TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES COPING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER DISABILITIES. THE ELDERCARE360 PROGRAM, A SUBGROUP OF THE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, IS OFFERED AS A "GENERAL CONTRACTOR'S" MODEL TO ADULT CHILDREN WHO USUALLY LIVE OUT-OF-STATE. THE ROLE OF THE CARE COORDINATOR IS TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT BOTH THE ELDERLY CLIENTS AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS. RESPITE, ALSO KNOWN AS ENHANCED COMPANION, HIRES, SCREENS, TRAINS AND SUPERVISES SENIORS AND AMERICORPS MEMBERS TO PROVIDE FRAIL ELDERLY WITH IN-HOME ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION, LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, COMPANIONSHIP, GROCERY SHOPPING AND MEAL PREPARATION. AMERICORPS ("LEGACY CORP") IS A FEDERAL GRANT THROUGH ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THE ENHANCED COMPANION PROGRAM BY PROVIDING IN-HOME ASSISTANCE TO SENIORS IN THE RESPITE PROGRAM. EACH MEMBER MUST BE 55-PLUS YEARS OLD AND "VOLUNTEER" 9 HOURS PER WEEK, FOR A TOTAL OF 450 HOURS PER YEAR. THEY RECEIVE A MONTHLY STIPEND THROUGH THE GRANT. HOLOCAUST IS FUNDED BY THE CLAIMS CONFERENCE AND OFFERS TWO PRIMARY SERVICES: CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUBSIDIZED IN-HOME CARE TO SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST. IT ALSO PROVIDES SOME LIMITED EMERGENCY FUNDS AND ASSISTANCE WITH FILING CLAIMS. GUARDIANSHIP PROVIDES LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP ON A VOLUNTARY OR COURT MANDATED BASIS FOR PERSONS WITH DIMINISHED CAPACITY. THIS PROGRAM CAN ALSO PROVIDE MEDICAID PLANNING, INCLUDING THE USE OF A MEDICAID ELIGIBLE POOLED TRUST FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION: COUNSELING PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES, FAMILIES AND GROUPS TO COPE WITH THE STRESSES AND CHALLENGES IN THEIR LIVES. PSYCHIATRIC PROVIDES PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION AND TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. ONE FULL-TIME BOARD-CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIST, AS WELL AS A TEAM OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AND CASE MANAGERS, ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE NEEDED TREATMENT. SERVICES INCLUDE EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT, MEDICATION MONITORING, PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES. DOMESTIC ABUSE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR JEWISH FAMILIES EXPERIENCING THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE. RELATIONSHIPS & DECISIONS PROVIDES TRAINING OF TEENS HELPING THEM TO TRAIN OTHER TEENS IN SAFE DATING. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PREVENTING DATING ABUSE. HEBREW FOR "VOICES" ("KOLOT") IS A COMMITTEE OF THE AGENCY AND A COALITION OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS, SYNAGOGUES, AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING AS THE OUTREACH BRANCH OF THE PROGRAM. THE EFFORTS OF KOLOT RESULT IN JEWISH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CONTACTING THE AGENCY TO ASK FOR HELP. MENTORING 4 KIDS IS AN INDIVIDUAL MENTORING PROGRAM, PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THE UNITED WAY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN LIVING IN FAMILIES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A LOSS OF A CONSISTENT CARETAKER. BEREAVEMENT PROVIDES OUTREACH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING ACUTE GRIEF. ASSESSMENT FOR SERVICES IS DONE IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS SUCH AS SYNAGOGUES AND IN-HOME.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION: COMMUNITY ACCESS LIFELINE (CALL) INCLUDES INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. THE PROGRAM ANSWERS MORE THAN 4,000 CALLS A YEAR FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH A RANGE OF PERSONAL AND FAMILY NEEDS. THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSESSES NEEDS AND MAKES THE APPROPRIATE REFERRALS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF JFCS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES VERY MINIMAL EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WHO MEET THE JFCS CRITERIA FOR FINANCIAL AID. FOOD PANTRY IS A SMALL FOOD PANTRY FOR JEWISH PERSONS IN NEED. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FOOD VOUCHERS WHEN AVAILABLE AND APPROPRIATE AS WELL AS REFERRALS TO OTHER COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRIES. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - IF FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, THE AGENCY MAY PROVIDE LIMITED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO JEWISH FAMILIES EXPERIENCING A TEMPORARY FINANCIAL CRISIS. THE APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THE ASSISTANCE WILL HELP THEM RESUME OR MAINTAIN A HEALTHY FAMILY LIFE. FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT AND VERIFICATION OF NEED ALONG WITH A COMMITMENT TO MAKE NECESSARY LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE REQUIRED. SEGALL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND - A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 MAY BE PROVIDED TO A JEWISH COLLEGE STUDENT LIVING FROM BOYNTON BEACH NORTH TO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY AND WEST TO WELLINGTON AND ARE ATTENDING A FLORIDA COLLEGE. STUDENTS ARE EVALUATED ON FINANCIAL NEED, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, COMMUNITY SERVICE, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, EMPLOYMENT HISTORY, JEWISH LIFE INVOLVEMENT AND PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS. JELF (JEWISH EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND) - JEWISH STUDENTS LIVING FROM BOYNTON BEACH NORTH TO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY CAN TURN TO ALPERT JFS FOR HELP IN ACCESSING INTEREST-FREE, NEED-BASED LOANS TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND FULL-TIME ACCREDITED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. MISCELLANEOUS CONTRACTS INCLUDE THE MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEMS PROGRAM. MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID IS A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT INTRODUCES PARTICIPANTS TO RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL ILLNESSES, BUILDS UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR IMPACT, AND OVERVIEWS COMMON SUPPORTS. THIS 8-HOUR COURSE USES ROLE-PLAYING AND SIMULATIONS TO DEMONSTRATE HOW TO OFFER INITIAL HELP IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND CONNECT PERSONS TO THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL, PEER, SOCIAL, AND SELF-HELP CARE. THE PROGRAM ALSO TEACHES THE COMMON RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF ILLNESSES, LIKE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE USE, BIPOLAR DISORDER, AND PSYCHOSIS.