The Knapp School and Yeshiva recently had the pleasure of hosting its very first Career Day. Students from many middle- and high-school classrooms met professionals in engineering, aviation, medicine, law, teaching and entrepreneurship/business shared their stories and work experiences.

We are very excited to announce that the JCFS Therapeutic Day School and Yeshiva will now be the Knapp School and Yeshiva! The process of choosing the name involved a few steps and some thoughtful conversations.

There’s a new teen drama on HBO that parents will want to know about. Euphoria follows "a group of high school students as they navigate drugs, sex, identity, trauma, social media, love and friendship." Euphoria will no doubt attract a teen audience. JCFS Chicago Response for Teens encourages parents and caregivers to watch Euphoria – and other teen-oriented shows – with your children. Here are some additional tips for talking with your kids about provocative media.

Welcome to the June 2019 issue of Bulldog Bulletin where we share the endlessly wonderful things our students, teachers and staff do here everyday! 

JCFS Chicago, No Shame On U, and MISSD (Medication-Induced Suicide Prevention and Education Foundation) have received a JUF Breakthrough Fund grant to launch a critical initiative: Suicide Prevention and Support in the Chicago Jewish Community. The overall goal of this initiative is to initiate dialogue that enhances understanding of suicide, reduces the stigma surrounding it, and ensures appropriate and compassionate responses.

A child’s school-age years are filled with many different lessons and experiences, including the challenges of peer acceptance and positive socialization. While many students attend elementary school together for years, children in foster care have the added burden of coming into a school or social setting as the “new kid,” a label that is hard to overcome for many children with poor self-esteem and trauma history. Making the transition from elementary school to middle school or junior high can be stressful, especially for foster children. The National Education Association offers ways that students and parents can successfully manage this transition.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is governing the processes as to how candidates are selected from resume submission to interviews, and how this process can affect ones chances of landing a job. Is there bias inherent is these processes? Please continue to learn what today's job candidates are up against.

Linda joined the JCFS team in 2005, initially as a therapist in the System of Care program. Her role expanded over the years as Intensive Placement Services added programs for adoption preservation and Emergency Foster Care. Linda is excited to continue fostering connections with youth in care and their caregivers, something she has been an active part of since coming to the agency.

Mr. Mike’s Elementary Yeshiva classroom hosted a presentation on the Solar System utilizing a style of learning called blended learning.

Paris recently joined our team 10 months ago as a Foster Care Case Manager.  She has worked in other related fields where she saw kids with special needs misrepresented and underserved and decided to make a career change to better support children and teens.