Family Support

Services for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities provides a comprehensive approach to supporting children with special needs and their families. Whether a child with ADHD benefits from his weekly social skills group or a parent requires legal representation, JCFS provides an array of early childhood programs and young adult and family programs that are capable of helping the whole family reach their fullest potential. 

Read Compass The Services for People with Disabilities Newsletter
Fall 2010
Summer 2010

Join one of our upcoming events or groups 

Sibshops in Hyde Park and Northbrook, *register here*

The Future is Now!, 10/7-11/18, Skokie *register here*

Getting What You Want Out of Life, for Adults with Disabilities, 10/4-12/10, Skokie, *register here*

Glick Family Camp, September 24-26th, *register here*

Parenting an Adult Child with a Disability: a Parent Support Group, 4th Tuesday of each month, Rogers Park,    *register here*



Our Services for People with Disabilities include but are not limited to Parent Support Groups, Sibshops, Social Skills Groups, Individual and Family Counseling, Futures Planning, Glick Family Camp, Community Education, Yad B’ Yad, Resource and Referral and Clinical Consultation. In addition, our Eva Cooper Director of Services for People with Disabilities is available for consultation to professionals who serve children, youth and adults with disabilities.

We Provide

Eva Cooper Disability Services

Social Skills Groups

Social skills groups offer training to children of all abilities in a variety of social and relationship skills. Through creative group problem solving activities, cooperative games and experiential coaching, participants learn to read social cues, improve problem solving skills and initiate and maintain peer relationships.

Sibshops

Sibshops and Teen Sibshops offer brothers and sisters of children with disabilities and/or special needs the opportunity to meet other siblings in a relaxed, supportive and recreational setting. Children and adolescents are able to discuss their common joys and concerns while enjoying fun activities. JCFS utilizes the Sibshop model developed by Don Meyer of Sibling Support Project. For more general information about Sibshops, visit the national Sibshop website www.siblingsupport.org. Sibshops are currently offered one Sunday afternoon each month and Teen Sibshops are offered as requested. 

Community Education Lectures

JCFS Community Education lectures are offered at least once each month and are for families, professionals and people with disabilities.  Topics have included the following:  Disability and Identity; Sexuality and Disability; Special Needs Trusts; Does my Loved One Need a Guardian; Social Security and Your Right to Work; Microboards and Cooperatives;  and Government Benefits. CEU's are available.  

Information, Resources and Referral

JCFS staff are available to assist families with a variety of questions. Contact the JCFS Disability Helpline at 773-467-3838 or e-mail at DisabilityHelpLine@jcfs.org. 

Clinical Consultation

Clinical consultation is available to all external organizations and JCFS staff regarding clinical issues related to disabilities, with an emphasis on mental health needs, development and learning,

Early Childhood Programs

 

Integrated Pediatric Interventions (IPI)
Early Intervention provides children, ages birth to 9, with comprehensive, individualized treatment and parents with the assurance that their child is getting outstanding care. Our team provides parents with a comprehensive, compassionate treatment plan to best address their child’s diagnosis and unique developmental needs. With a keen attention to detail, we carefully study the way children eat, utter their words and grasp at toys.

Autism Assessment

Our team of qualified clinical professionals lends their expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of children with autism and pervasive developmental disorders. Autism Assessment gives parents the information they need to determine the most appropriate treatment and placement for their child.

Young Adult and Family Programs

Parent Support Groups

JCFS offers support groups that provide support, education and resource sharing for parents of children with special needs and for parents of adult children with disabilities.

Parents with Developmental and Learning Disabilities

JCFS provides individual counseling, parent coaching, training, support and concrete linkage for parents with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. 

Teen Talk

Teen talk provides a supportive environment for teens who are physically included with their “typically developing” peers but are socially isolated. Through a variety of activities, participants have the opportunity to share common experiences in a supportive environment, learn peer relationships strategies and explore identity issues.

Individual, Family and Group Counseling and Therapy
Individual and family therapy and group counseling for children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and their families is available at all the regional community counseling centers.

Glick Family Camp

Countless families are grateful for Glick Family Camp, which ensure that families with children and teens with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy a fun, nature-filled camp experience. To ensure that everyone can relax, a respite worker is assigned to each family during their weekend filled with a variety of social, creative, recreational and supportive activities.

Advocacy Services

JCFS offers legal advocacy and representation to children and adults with special needs.

Yad B’ Yad

Yad B' Yad brings together Jewish young adults with developmental and learning disabilities who live independently or with minimal support and Jewish young adult volunteers for social, cultural and religious activities.

Migdal Oaz

Migdal Oaz, which means Tower of Strength in Hebrew, offers Jewish adults with disabilities an independent environment, which meets their unique residential needs. As the state’s first residential facility for Jewish adults with disabilities, the program ensures that individuals with special needs can remain active in Jewish life.