People with Disabilities and their Caregivers

Where to start

The Disabilities Resource Network (DRN) is a CJP-funded program that is housed at Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS), and provides information, resources and referrals for people with disabilities and their family members regarding educational, social, recreational, housing, legal, advocacy and vocational services. The DRN is the gateway for many of the programs provided by the Jewish community. For more information, please call the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Advocacy

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) advocates with the state and federal government for adequate funding and services for people with disabilities. For more information, please contact Elana Margolis at emargolis@jcrcboston.org or visit www.jcrcboston.org.

Coordinated Care

Coordinated Stabilization and Recovery Program for Adults with Psychiatric Conditions is a CJP-funded program at JF&CS that provides coordinated case management services for adults with chronic and persistent mental illness who may be able to take care of their core independent living skills, but need on-going support to manage access to health care and benefits like health insurance, SSI/SSDI and housing. The program also provides support with issues like maintaining benefits while working, financial management and budgeting. The recovery program includes health and wellness, peer support and more. For more information, please contact the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Autism Care Coordination & Coaching is a CJP-funded program at JF&CS for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their caregivers, who are not receiving significant publicly funded support services. The program includes comprehensive services combining short-and long-term coordinated case management and skills development. For more information, please contact the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at
781-647-5327.

Employment Support

• The Connections Program is a CJP-funded program at Jewish Vocational Service that provides a continuum of services for Jews with disabilities to improve quality of life through personalized career planning and placement services. Support is provided on the job or in school to enable participants to successfully achieve and maintain their identified goals. For more information, please contact Madeline Wenzel at 617-399-3241or MWenzel@jvs-boston.org.
• Transitions to Work, a collaboration between CJP, JVS, and the Ruderman Family Foundation, helps young adults with disabilities launch their careers through assessment, skills training, internships and employment opportunities. Together with partner employers, Transitions to Work provides on-site job training, job search assistance and ongoing internships and employment opportunities.. For more information please contact Madeline Wenzel at 617-399-3241 or MWenzel@jvs-boston.org
• Pathways is a CJP-funded program at JF&CS for career exploration, employment and job training program for people with a range of disabilities. Through a holistic and comprehensive approach, program participants benefit from workplace readiness and skill development training that takes place in the classroom and on-the-job. Pathways is distinct from Transitions because there are no age restrictions and participants may take up to 2 years to be work-ready. For more information, please contact the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Housing

The CJP Disabilities Housing Initiative provides supportive Jewish housing options for adults with disabilities so that they may live rich, meaningful lives and participate fully in the Jewish community. CJP works with for-profit and non-profit housing developers to create affordable housing units that are suitable for adults with a range of disabilities. CJP partners with JF&CS to provide residential support services, intake and family education. Learn more through the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

CHAI (Community Housing for Adult Independence) of JF&CS provides housing and residential services for adults with disabilities. For more information, please the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Recreational & Social Activities

Special Needs Services at the Jewish Community Centers (JCC) of Greater Boston
The JCC offers a wide variety of direct service programs, community education seminars and Jewish enrichment programming for people with disabilities of all ages.

Some of the programs the JCC provides for children include adapted aquatics, martial arts, climbing wall and teen friendship groups. Programs for adults include activity groups, social groups and Jewish learning.For more information, please contact Judy Pearl at the JCCs of Greater Boston at jpearl@jccgb.org , or 617-558-6508 or visit www.jccgb.org.

Chaverim Chaim: Friends for Life is a CJP-funded collaboration of JF&CS, JCCGB and JBBBS that provides monthly activities for adults with disabilities that enhance Jewish identity and strengthen connections to the Jewish community. For more information, please contact the Disabilities Resources Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Chaverim Shel Shalom is a CJP-funded program at JF&CS that connects people with chronic mental illness to the Jewish community, offering holiday celebrations and social opportunities. The annual Passover Seder is always a powerful and moving community event. For more information, please contact the Disabilities Resource Network at JF&CS at 781-647-5327.

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters (JBBBS) Friend 2 Friend Program & MAGIC is a CJP-funded program that matches volunteers and adults with disabilities in one-to-one friendships. Friend 2 Friend matches meet two to four times per month for fun community activities of their choosing. MAGIC meets one week night a month to enjoy a variety of events with other pairs of friends. For more information, contact Jan Klein at JBBBS at
617-558-6548 or jan@jbbbs.org.

Yachad /National Jewish Council for Disabilities meets regularly and provides social and Jewish learning opportunities for older teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. Shabbatons are held on college campuses and in communities in New England, and a social skills course is also offered. The group is affiliated with the Orthodox Union, but is open to any Jewish person with cognitive limitations regardless of affiliation. For more information, please contact Liz Offen at bostonyachad@gmail.com.

Yom Sport is an annual sports day for adults with disabilities. CJP’s Young Leadership Division (YLD) invites volunteers to participate with athletes from throughout the Greater Boston community in this non-competitive sporting event. For more information, please contact Jan Klein 617-558-6548 or jan@jbbbs.org.

Programs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Financial assistance for Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for community events and synagogue-related services may be available through the JCCs of Greater Boston. For more information, please contact Judy Pearl at 617-558-6508 or jpearl@jccgb.org.