JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE & CHILDRENS CENTER OF CLIFTON-PASSAIC INC

HISTORY
In 1948, with the aim of providing professional social services to the community, the Jewish Social Service Agency was founded by the Passaic Section, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and funded by the Jewish Community Council of Passaic. That same year, the Agency provided support services to 200 Jewish residents living in poverty. By 1949, the NCJW relinquished control to allow the Agency to pursue a wider community base; that year, the Agency supported more than 500 people in crisis, including non-Jewish members of Latinx and African-American communities. In 1960, the Agency became known as the Jewish Family Service of Passaic, Clifton, and Vicinity, serving 800 members of the community through both social and mental health services. The name ‘Jewish Family Service of Greater Clifton-Passaic' was formally adopted in 1983. In 1992, Jewish Family Service of Greater Clifton-Passaic was dissolved as an independent agency and became an operating division of the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic. In 2006, the name was amended to ‘Jewish Family Service and the Riskin Children’s Center of Clifton-Passaic, Inc.’ In 2010, the name was amended to its current name, ‘Jewish Family Service & Children’s Center of Clifton-Passaic, Inc.’ (JFS), and in 2011 the agency became an independent non-profit organization under the direction of a Board of Directors. At that time, the Agency was assisting more than 5,000 New Jerseyans. In 2018, JFS moved into its own building in Passaic, NJ, enhancing the efficient delivery of services, amplifying integrated care for clients and facilitating program expansion. Today, JFS annually provides non-denominational care to 11,500 people through mental health services, social services and specialized programs for aging adults, survivors of domestic violence, Veterans and people with disabilities.

OVERVIEW OF CAPABILITIES
For 73 years, JFS has safeguarded the welfare of Passaic County’s citizens. A licensed outpatient mental health facility and social service agency, JFS uses evidence-based interventions and cultural competency to expertly respond to the evolving psychosocial needs of the community. The agency provides non-denominational care to people of all backgrounds with capabilities that include:

JFS is only one of two mental health agencies recognized by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families as a provider of Culturally Specific Services.

JFS is led by newly-appointed Executive Director, Alexander Herzog, who has more than a decade of experience in clinical work and business management.

JFS is overseen by a qualified, engaged 16-member Board of Directors who have a proven commitment to the organization’s growth and impact.

In 2020, JFS served 296 new clients through case management getting them the resources they and their families needed to manage pandemic-related crises.

In 2020, the Vocational Services Program made it possible for 70 emerging adults with disabilities and 64 survivors of domestic violence to enter the workforce.

Throughout the pandemic, JFS provided counseling to 244 new clients under the age of 18, many of whom were suffering the emotional consequences of school closings, social isolation and family illness.

JFS has a 40-member team of clinicians with advanced training in trauma-informed care, art therapy, geriatric mental health, family therapy and children’s mental health.

JFS is resourceful, forward-thinking and nimble. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS was prepared to deliver services virtually and via telehealth; disruption to services and programs during the pandemic was minimal.

Over the past decade, the number clients has increased consistently by 10% year over year. Furthermore, cash donations made by clients represent 20% of all private contributions.

The agency maintains partnerships with numerous government agencies, including the NJ Department of Children and Families, the Passaic County Office of Senior and Disability Services, and the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, to name a few. 65% of the agency’s contributed income comes from government and community grants.

PURPOSE AND PROGRAMS
JFS exists to improve the quality of life for people of all ages and backgrounds through work that includes:

A trauma center with counseling and support programs for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The delivery of high-quality mental health services, including counseling, psychiatric evaluations and school-based therapies.

Vocational support services to prepare survivors for entry into the workforce.

Community education initiatives that include workshops and ongoing programs to advance skills in parenting, money management and the prevention of domestic violence, suicide and abuse.

Case management and social services, including advocacy for health care access, referrals, crisis intervention and resource acquisition from government, non-profit and private agencies.

Specialized programs for unique populations, including senior citizens, Veterans and people with special needs.

A food pantry that welcomes those facing food insecurity and also serves as a job training center for people with disabilities and survivors who wish to enter the workforce.

CURRENT NEEDS
While JFS provides a robust range of services, the following gaps have been identified through a 2021 needs assessment involving agency leaders, clinicians, clients and community members:

To support people at risk of homelessness, especially marginalized female survivors of domestic violence, the agency needs to build an annual Housing Fund of $50,000 to cover the cost of emergency hotel stays, apartment deposits, rent payments and relocation fees, when necessary.

The agency needs $50,000 to support the salary of a designated Housing Navigator, who will advance the agency’s partnerships with County housing providers and leverage the Housing Fund to assist survivors in securing emergency, transitional and permanent housing.

A Legal Defense Fund is required to assist survivors of domestic violence with representation during protective, separation, divorce and custody proceedings. In 2021, JFS received a $100,000 grant from the NJ Department of Children and Families to initiate this fund, but it will need to be replenished on an annual basis.

An additional bilingual case manager is needed to assist a growing population of Hispanic clients; in 2021, the agency received a $25,000 grant from Horizon Health Foundation to partially cover this $50,000 salary, which will need to be funded on an annual basis. The agency currently employs four bilingual providers, including a clinician who serves the deaf/hard-of-hearing community using American Sign Language upon request.

The agency lacks a Job Coach to expand the capabilities of the Vocational Services Program by supporting people with disabilities in successfully obtaining and retaining employment; the annual salary for a Job Coach is $50,000 and will need to be funded on an annual basis.

INQUIRIES
To discuss making a tax-deductible contribution, please email jfs@jfsclifton.org.