Disability Services

The JFCS Disability Services Department is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities in Southern New Jersey.  We also provide support, education, and networking opportunities for family members. JFCS develops programs and services to help clients achieve their highest potential and lead more independent and fulfilled lives. JFCS is an approved vendor of supported employment services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and a qualified provider of the Supports Program through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

To view the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey’s guide to Disability Services systemwide resources, click HERE.

JFCS believes that everyone has the right to explore community-based employment as their first option. Individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to seek “real jobs” for “real pay,” and lead meaningful and productive lives by working within their community. JFCS assists with finding jobs by helping with resume writing, interviewing skills, and completing job applications. Employment specialists also help our clients find success after they are hired by providing job coaching and assisting with the development of natural supports in the workplace. Tell Me More

Many students with developmental disabilities graduate high school without having the opportunity to explore vocational options. The JFCS High School Transition Program helps to fill this gap by offering supports and services to help prepare students for life after high school. High School districts can contract with JFCS for Vocational Assessments and Job Sampling opportunities. It is our goal to help students and families make a smooth transition from high school to adult life. Tell Me More

Our TOPS (To Our Positive Success) enrichment day program provides daytime community-based social, educational, and recreational activities for adults with developmental disabilities. TOPS promotes personal growth and offers activities that enrich the mind and body while improving the social, psychological, and physical functioning of the participants. Tell Me More

SAIL (Supports to Achieve Independent Living) is a social, recreational, and life skills program. It is designed for young adults who have graduated from high school, are able to work competitively in the community, have the ability to participate in group activities independently, and are open to meeting new friends and having fun. SOAR (Social Opportunities and Recreation) addresses the same needs as SAIL, but is designed for those who require additional support.  SOAR provides members opportunities for community-based activities with their peers. JFCS also offers four Special Olympics sports: floor hockey, softball, soccer and basketball. Tell Me More

Soups and Sweets provides culinary training to prepare individuals with developmental disabilities for careers in the hospitality or food service industry. Students learn marketable and transferable skills that will help to prepare them for employment in a commercial kitchen. Tell Me More

JFCS is proud to be the Community Rehabilitation Provider in the Kennedy Health Project SEARCH Program, which began in September 2016. Project Search is a nationally recognized one year, high school transition program which provides training and education leading to employment for students with disabilities. The program occurs on-site at Kennedy Health in Cherry Hill, and is a collaboration with the YALE School in Cherry Hill, the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).   Tell Me More

The needs of children with developmental disabilities are as diverse as the families who care for them. JFCS strives to provide a wide range of options to assist families in meeting the needs of their children while maintaining the stability and wellbeing of the whole family. Our Self-Hired Respite Care service provides support for families who are facing challenges in caring for their children with developmental disabilities, and gives families short-term relief from their daily care responsibilities. Tell Me More

The mission of the STAR program is to guide students as they develop and enhance the skills necessary to obtain and maintain meaningful employment of their choosing. This prevocational training program has a customizable curriculum for aspiring young professionals. Based on a career plan developed by an employment specialist, along with the input of the student, their family, and support coordinator, our STAR specialist will create a customized, person-centered curriculum to provide training in the areas of job-related skills, life skills, social skills, and future planning. To learn more, please contact Elise Vincoff, Disabiity Services Outreach Coordinator, at (856) 424-1333 ext. 1107 or jfcsdisabilityservices@jfedsnj.org. 

Weinberg Commons is an affordable housing complex with a mixed population. Seniors reside in apartments on the second and third floors, and adults with disabilities live in the quad units on the first floor. For more information, visit the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey’s website by clicking HERE.