About JF&CS - Jewish Family & Children's Service

Emotional

Parents

Children

Family

Spiritual

Physical

Q/A

Our Emotional Well Being
People have become increasingly aware of the benefits of psychotherapy. Perhaps your teenager needs a trusted confidante. Perhaps you and your partner need assistance with learning how to communicate. Perhaps your elderly relative could stay in her own home if she only had the proper professional help. All of these situations, and many others, are addressed in an environment that maintains confidentiality and preserves dignity. Our staff of experienced therapists is trained in taking a holistic approach to evaluating and improving your life circumstances. We explore solutions, design practical plans, and develop new skills that form the basis for a healthier and more balanced life.

Our Parents’ Well Being
The process of aging affects everyone differently. For some, it is a time of growth and renewal. For others, it is a struggle to maintain dignity as they progressively become more dependent on others. At JF&CS, we are committed to assisting our older adult community with services designed to maintain independence and connection to the community for as long as possible. We begin with a comprehensive assessment completed by one of our many expert therapists. Once needs are identified, we build a care plan that may include in-home services (housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, transportation), or volunteer money management (help with routine personal financial tasks) or other concrete services. The resources at JF&CS can add both quality and years to the life of someone you love.

Our Childrens' Well Being
When given the opportunity early in life to express feelings in a safe and supportive setting, children develop an enhanced ability to cope. JF&CS offers a variety of programs designed to enhance children's self-awareness and self-respect. Our Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP) offers interactive presentations in schools, daycare facilities and community organizations, and teaches children skills they can use when faced with inappropriate physical contact. Success with CAPP inspired collaborating with Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis (CASGSL) in the implementation of an Internet Safety program. Recognizing that children often know more about this valuable tool than parents, JF&CS and CASGSL offer a series of workshops that teach parents and other adults how to effectively monitor child safety and also raise teen awareness about dangers on the Internet.

Many parents are asking, "How can I help my child succeed?" or "Why is my son reacting to school so differently this year?" A consultation at the JF&CS Learning and Behavioral Diagnostic Center can answer these questions. Supervised and interpreted by a licensed clinical psychologist, assessments are available for intellectual and academic achievement; problems with attention, concentration and impulsivity; classroom participation; and other behavioral and emotional issues.

Our Family Well Being
When a family member has an emotional or physical disability, everyone in the family is affected. Such circumstances require the assistance of a professional trained in care management who can serve as your family's advocate, as well as provide guidance and emotional support. At JF&CS, we coordinate valuable resources to help those clients who cannot manage without assistance. Our WINGS program provides families who have an emotionally, physically or developmentally disabled adult child with care management services, as well as community education programs and social opportunities appropriate for their needs.

Our Spiritual Well Being
Jewish tradition provides many insights into addressing our spiritual needs and coping with everyday challenges. At JF&CS, we create life-enhancing group experiences that address issues of loss, grief and chronic illness. We also assist individuals in identifying their spiritual resources with the goal of healing emotional wounds and handling stress. Our Chaplain and trained volunteers visit residents living in facilities throughout the St. Louis area to provide a connection to the Jewish community and continuity with Jewish spiritual traditions.

Our Physical Well Being
When battling an illness or coping with financial difficulties, proper nutrition and attention to physical needs are an essential part of the healing process. At JF&CS, our staff has access to a variety of agency and community resources to ensure that our clients are physically and emotionally nourished.

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry provides nutritionally balanced meals, and will deliver to those clients unable to visit our offices. In addition, clients who find themselves in difficult economic circumstances may qualify for financial assistance provided through special community-designated funds. Through our holistic approach to diagnosing, treating and servicing our clients, we are able to provide therapeutic support that addresses each aspect of our clients' lives.

Q&A
My family is not Jewish. May we still use your services?
Yes. As a faith-based agency, we address needs within the Jewish community, but as a community agency we assist anyone in need of our services.

Will I be able to afford services at JF&CS?
JF&CS receives community funding from both the United Way of Greater St. Louis and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. These contributions allow us to offer reduced fees for our clients who need scholarship/subsidy.

Are any of your services covered by insurance?
Yes. Please ask us whether your insurance policy covers our services.

Will I have privacy in the JF&CS environment?
Privacy and confidentiality are protected at all times. Consultation and therapy services are provided in individual, private offices.

Do I have a choice of therapists?
Yes. We have a large clinical staff. You may select the therapist with whom you are most comfortable, provided their availability and experience fit your counseling needs.

Do the therapists have specific areas of expertise?
Each of our therapists has a primary focus area - children, adults or the elderly. In addition, all of the therapists at JF&CS have specific areas of clinical expertise such as depression, anxiety, marital problems, family conflict, ADHD/LD, dementia, disabilities, chronic illness, loss/grief, parenting and many others.

Are your services available in other locations?
Yes. In addition to providing home visits, our therapists offer on-site consultations at many of our community's schools, housing facilities and congregations.

How can JF&CS help me?
We provide families in our community with the resources they need to meet the challenges of everyday living - whatever they may be. Our highly skilled staff provides therapy for a full range of emotional and behavioral issues, as well as care management and homemaker services for the older adults in our community who need assistance maintaining an independent lifestyle. Our Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry is available to anyone in the community who may need assistance providing for their family. And our childrens' programs include school-based seminars about child abuse prevention and Internet safety, as well as behavioral and educational assessments conducted by experienced psychologists. At JF&CS, we address the full-range of issues and challenges that may confront your family.