Blog

Knapp School and Yeshiva consists of multiple teams and support systems. Like many schools, ours is comprised of teachers, teaching assistants and ancillary staff. However, one element in our school not so commonly found in others is our Support Team. Stationed strategically throughout our school, Team members provide intensive, often one-to-one support to students daily. When students are having challenges and need time outside of the classroom, Team members are ready and waiting to assist.

Students at Knapp School and Yeshiva experience skill building in many ways! One area of focus, especially for our middle and upper school students, is employment.  We believe planning and early preparation for successful entry into the job market is crucial. 

Early intervention is the term used to describe services and support that help babies and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. “Starting early intervention can significantly change a child’s developmental path and increase their success in school and life,” says Jennie Marble, Director of Integrated Pediatric Therapies.  

Although it’s a snowy winter Friday afternoon in Chicago, inside Bella Terra, a senior living community in Morton Grove, warm Shabbat melodies envelop Jewish residents. Twice a month they come together to welcome Shabbat with services led by conservative Cantor Fortunee Belilos and volunteer Rabbi Milt Wakschlag. 

Last year, Daniel came to JVS Career & Employment looking for a new career path. With the help of our employment specialists, Daniel was connected with a job opportunity at Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), which fulfilled his interests and met his needs as a professional who is deaf.

Ben Arkes was born in Chicago in 1922. His father, Pinches, was a Ukrainian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1910 with no resources and limited English proficiency. Ben was one of five children, and though his father was an incredibly hard-working man, the family struggled with poverty, often going without meals. His upbringing had a profound impact on Ben’s altruism later in life.

At JCFS Chicago, helping children, teens, and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) integrate into the community and improve their quality of life is at the core of what we do.

When concerns about substance use or other possible addictions arise: what help is available? Who can I call?

Four years ago, Jeff Suskin decided he was ready to live on his own and was looking for an independent living arrangement. With the help of his parents, Jeff found a good fit at an integrated living home in Wilmette through JCFS Chicago's residential supports.

Joint attention is when two people focus on an object, person, event or idea at the same time. It occurs when one person alerts the other to an object without words, indicating with just a look or pointed finger. Often joint attention is associated exclusively with toddlers and autism, but it also informs social behavior for adolescents and adults who aren’t on the spectrum.