Planned and led by teens for teens, Operation Snowball is a fun, intensive yearly weekend retreat that helps participants develop confidence, purpose, and leadership skills.
Supported by Response for Teens staff, teens train to lead this innovative program of discussions, team-building activities, and interactive workshops centered around essential topics like diversity, positive decision making, healthy relationships, social justice, and more.
Snowball Teen Leaders get a chance to hone their leadership and peer education skills in a relaxed, supportive setting. Participants get to meet other teens from all over the Chicago area and engage in honest, inspiring conversations and activities led by their peers. It’s a safe space for everyone to express themselves, share their life experiences with others, and have a great time while doing so.
Therapeutic Yeshiva, an arm of our Knapp School & Yeshiva, offers religiously observant families the joyful experience of having their child study history, math and other traditional courses, while also fulfilling the mitzvah of learning Torah.
Our Judaic studies classes follow the Jewish Studies Subjects Taught by most area Orthodox Jewish schools to the greatest degree possible and include instruction in Hebrew language, Torah, Prophets, Jewish Law and Mishnah/Talmud. The Yeshiva also provides Beit Midrash for morning and afternoon prayer and study, special Jewish holiday celebrations and commemorations and optional weekly after-school Mishmar study. When appropriate, students take part in classes from other Jewish schools as part of their academic program. To broaden our students' social and Jewish involvements, we seek volunteer opportunities in the community as well as celebrations at other Jewish schools.
Families with children who have behavioral or emotional disorders can find the traditional school environment a poor fit. Their students may feel stifled or antagonized by settings that are not fully capable of understanding their unique needs and perspectives.
Fortunately, a new tradition for educating special-needs students exists at Knapp School & Yeshiva. Here, an engaging curriculum plus leadership opportunities and support yield success for students. With its low student-to-teacher ratio, positive social interaction, and state-of-the-art facilities including a new Life Skills Room and program , the Knapp School & Yeshiva is designed to meet the needs of special children by alleviating behavioral and emotional struggles and developing a sense of belonging among students.
Understanding Students
The Knapp School & Yeshiva operates on the principle that a therapeutic environment for students with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities requires meaningful participation from parents, mental health professionals, special needs educators, the community and the students themselves. Using this team approach leads to the kind of reaction from students that every school wants.
“I get the sense that people care,” said one student. “The teachers are relaxed and flexible and everyone finally really listens to me.”
Each student’s academic needs are met through a comprehensive, individualized educational program that engages many members of the faculty, which includes special education teachers, social workers, art and physical education instructors, transition and vocational counselors, a reintegration coordinator, speech and occupational therapists, two rabbis and the school’s leadership and administrative team.
Whether the next step for your student is elementary school, high school, college or even post-college life, Knapp School & Yeshiva provides students with the education, life skills and vocational support to help them succeed.
Therapy, Yeshiva and Flexible Classrooms
Students benefit from a low staff-to-student ratio, as well as individual and group therapy, and individualized and small group special education services. Students enrolled in the Yeshiva program attend Yeshiva classes in addition to their secular education program. The general curriculum is approved by the contracting local school districts, and is delivered within a flexible classroom environment that allows for adaptation to meet the student’s academic strengths, weaknesses, and unique learning style.
Students Reap Rewards
At Knapp School & Yeshiva, our students benefit in ways that yield measurable marks of their development.
50% of our high-school students hold jobs in our in-school work program
At least 10-15% of our students re-enter public schools each year, exceeding the Chicago Public Schools benchmark
Nearly 30% of students are on the academic and attendance Honor Rolls
78% of students showed improvement in their emotional and behavioral needs based on clinical assessment
The Knapp School & Yeshiva is accredited and licensed by the North Central Association, Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition to working with the Chicago Public Schools, the school works with suburban school districts from the North Shore, western suburbs and Lake County.
The school is located in West Rogers Park, Chicago, in the Joy Faith Knapp Children's Center on the Esther Knapp Campus.
They are counseled that some children develop slower or later than others. Parents are hesitant about moving beyond their pediatrician’s assessment, even when they have a gut feeling that something isn’t right.
An accurate diagnosis and definitive treatment plan for a child suspected of having a specialized disorder, such as autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit disorder, can be an empowering process that helps parents help their child achieve his or her greatest potential.
At JCFS Chicago, our team of qualified clinical professionals lends their expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of children with specialized disorders. With the goal of providing parents with diagnostic clarification and further understanding of their child’s current level of functioning, clinicians provide feedback and a written report that identifies individualized recommendations for educational placement, speech/language therapy services, occupational therapy services and behavioral interventions.
Recommendations from our team are highly specific and may also be used to advocate for the child’s educational placement.
Our comprehensive psychological/developmental assessment is a 10-hour evaluation that is scheduled over four appointments. During the four sessions, our team interviews parents, administers a standardized, semi-structured assessment of communication, social interaction and play for individuals who may have autism or other pervasive developmental disorders, and direct evaluation of the child, including intellectual testing and language testing.
JCFS Chicago provides flexible payment options and insurance billing for specialized assessments. We are part of the BCBS PPO network as well as the Humana HMO & PPO network. Direct insurance billing may be available for other insurance companies after verification of coverage has been completed. Insurance reimbursement is based on eligible services of the client's benefit plan.
They discuss their common joys and concerns, learn to handle sibling-specific “sticky situations” and have fun!
2025 JCFS Sibshops for Children and Teens, ages 6-16
We will be offering Sibshops for both children and teens at our Northbrook location. We will begin each Sibshop as a large group for an opening activity and then separate into age groups (children and teens).
2025 In-Person Sibshop Dates for Children/Teens, ages 6-16 are as follows:
December 15, 2024
January 12, 2025
February 9
March 23
April 27
May 18
June 29
In-Person Sibshops are $30 per session; partial scholarships are available. Pre-registration is required for Sibshops. Please contact Yuto Kanii or Tammy Besser if you have any questions and/or to request registration materials.
JCFS Chicago utilizes the Sibshop model developed by Don Meyer of Sibling Support Project. For more detailed information about Sibshops, visit the Sibling Support Project website.
All In-Person Sibshops are on Sundays from 1pm to 3:30pm at our Northbrook location, 255 Revere Drive, Suite 200.
We have responded to the needs of both children and parents since 1955. Our approach encourages children to reach their potential while promoting a strong parent-child relationship.
We offer a continuum of therapeutic and preventative services for children and families, along with early childhood mental health consultation and training for professionals.
Consultation and Training
Family and Child Counseling
Groups for Children and Families
Our experts offer a continuum of preventative and therapeutic services for children from birth to six years, plus supportive services and counseling for their parents. All of the programs and services offered at Virginia Frank Child Development Center are based on the fact that children develop best in the context of stable, caring relationships. Virginia Frank Child Development Center offers family counseling and socialization groups.
Family Counseling
When a developmental task is unusually difficult for a child, professional counseling may be needed to promote growth and change. While some situations require a short period of intervention, others may require additional long-term work. Our highly trained staff offers counseling to children and families who may be facing tragic losses, financial difficulties, marital concerns or illness, developmental delays, or other issues affecting child development.
Groups
Through the Get Together group, Virginia Frank Child Development Center offers parents, grandparents, nannies, and children from birth to age 5 with opportunities to meet others who also have young children, in order to share and discuss experiences, ideas and developmental issues and watch them unfold as children play.
We also offer socialization and treatment groups for children aged three to nine years old. For meeting times, locations and dates, please check the calendar.
Consultation and Training for Early Childhood Development Professionals
“Connections: A Relationship-Based Phase Model,” was published as a resource for directors and teachers. The book, written by Virginia Frank Child Development Center staff, outlines the developmental and relationship phases children and their caregivers experience. By integrating knowledge of child development and stages of relational growth, the manual provides a roadmap for early childhood instructors to best support the healthy development of young children.
Our clinicians provide relationship-based early childhood mental health consultation to preschool, Early Head Start and Head Start sites throughout Chicagoland. Educators and program staff learn effective tools for building relationships with parents and how to manage difficult behaviors in the classroom through group and individual observations, and professional and parenting workshops.
Whether you need to wean your child from tube feedings or help him transition to first foods, the experts at JCFS Chicago are here to help.
This video is of a sample feeding session. Feeding issues come in many different packages; generally we categorize these as oral-motor, sensory aversion, medical or behavioral needs. Oral-motor problems are those which deal with moving and coordinating the muscle movements for eating. Sensory aversions are over-reactions to certain textures, tastes, smells or temperatures. Medical feeding problems may result from a larger diagnosis such as long term G-tube placement or a neurological issue like Rett Syndrome.
For additional information or to ask about making an appointment, please email ipi@jcfs.org or call 847.412.4379.
For educators striving to reach children with challenging behaviors, JCFS Chicago is a trusted resource. JCFS Chicago Clinical staff, from both its Community Counseling Program and its Virginia Frank Child Development Center, provides relationship-based consultation and training services to schools, Early Head Start, Head Start and private childcare programs throughout the Chicago area.
Each year, we help hundreds of early-childhood educators, day-care directors and staff develop techniques and tools for caring for students with special needs. They also learn to implement curriculum to support the social and emotional growth of children and their families. The training program can help schools and childcare centers:
Develop highly effective tools for confronting difficult behaviors
Create techniques to diffuse emotionally charged situations in the classroom
Enhance the resilience of families
Support early-childhood teachers
Reduce child-care staff stress and burnout
JCFS Chicago consultants are experienced clinicians and early childhood specialists who are trained in developmental theory and practice, classroom management, curriculum development, infant mental health, family systems and psychotherapy. Our approach reflects the belief that children, families and service providers do their best work in an environment that is trusting and supportive.
Get Help
If you would like information about our consulting and training services for Early Childhood Development, email Ask@JCFS.org or call toll-free, 855.275.5237.
Help for organizations and communities responding to and recovering from a crisis
The Jewish Community Emergency Response Team (JCERT) was established in 2002 in the aftermath of 9/11 to respond to mental health needs following a crisis situation. Professionals from across our community, trained in Psychological First Aid and other interventions, work collaboratively to support the community through consultation, resources and in-person interventions.
The Professional Training Institute (PTI) offers high-quality professional trainings annually to address timely and relevant issues related to abuse, addiction, grief and loss, mental health, and more. JCFS Chicago offers Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for social workers, counselors, psychologists, Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professionals (through a partnership with Between Friends), and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. All trainings can be tailored to your specific needs.
Abuse Prevention
Boundaries, Abuse and Supporting Communities
This workshop is for educators and other staff who work with children. It provides practical guidance on setting boundaries, recognizing abuse, responding to disclosures, and supporting students/campers and staff.
Addiction/Recovery
Judaism and Addiction/Recovery
This training covers spirituality in addiction recovery, the Jewish experience in recovery, shared values and practices, and the Jewish community’s role in supporting recovery.
Behavioral Addiction Clergy Training
Designed specifically for clergy, this session covers alcohol and drug addiction basics, non-substance addictions (e.g., gambling, internet overuse), and related recovery concepts, with a focus on issues specific to synagogues and Jewish communities.
What is Harm Reduction?
This presentation introduces the concept of harm reduction in addressing both substance and nonsubstance related addictions. Participants will gain an understanding of the harm reduction model, its practical applications in the community, and discuss attitudes that may influence its effective use.
Mental Health Education
Understanding Mental Health
This workshop will equip professionals with tools for assisting people who may be struggling with mental health conditions. Participants will learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses and addictions and connect people with the appropriate care.
Coloring Inside the Lines
Learn how to cultivate and maintain healthy boundaries with staff and the community members you serve. This workshop will equip you with the skills to lead a tough conversation and prioritize selfcare.
BASIC Ph: Coping with Curveballs
Learn to navigate life’s challenges by identifying personal coping strategies. This session includes steps to enhance well-being for yourself, your family, and your community.
Safer Synagogues
Our Safer Synagogues program offers a six-part training series designed for synagogue clergy, staff and lay leaders.
JCFS Chicago opens some of its internal professional training to outside professionals, with these opportunities listed in our calendar listings.
For additional information about professional training opportunities, contact Ask@JCFS.org or call 855.275.5237.
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