Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey (JFS) provides skilled and compassionate vital human services to children, adults and families. With offices in Elizabeth and Mountainside, JFS works to strengthen family life and encourage personal growth by providing quality social and health services to individuals and families in need.

Services to Older Adults

JFS is funded to provide services to seniors in Union County. JFS’s Older Adult Department helps older adults maintain their independence, maximize their safety, and remain at home. To refer an older adult or yourself, or for assistance, call (908) 352-8375 and ask for Older Adult intake.

Our program offers the following services:

Certified Home Health Aide: For personal care assistance and light housekeeping. In addition to the government programs, there is a fee-for-service program for those individuals who have long term insurance or the ability to pay. This program is under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Homemaker Services: For light housekeeping, food shopping, laundry, and companionship.

Kosher Meals on Wheels: A hot kosher nutritious meal is delivered to older adults who are homebound. The meals meet one third of the United States Recommended Daily Allowance for proper nutrition.

Social Work Outreach: Social workers and other health care professionals visit older adults who are having difficulty managing their own affairs. We provide emotional support, health care planning, and community linkages to support older adults who live alone.

Community Health Nursing and Case Management: A Registered Nurse is available to make home visits to monitor an older adult’s health status, assess the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications and provide health education and home safety assessments.

Caregiver Support Program: Caring for another person can be stressful. Our Caregivers Program offers emotional support, community linkage, and other home care services to help support the efforts of the family caring for an older adult. Respite care utilizing home health aides, nurses, social workers, and homemakers are important components of the program. Alzheimer’s and Dementia have become an area of expertise with the Agency. We now have two Memory Cafés a month and a day program.

Counseling: Our social workers can talk with seniors to address psychological issues as they cope with multiple medical problems and changing family relationships.

Transportation: Our personal transportation program can take an older adult to necessary medical appointments and other important destinations. The service is intended to be door-to-door and fills the gaps in transportation services for seniors within the county.

Friend Advocate Program: A case manager and a team of volunteers make friendly visits to homebound older adults in need of socialization and assistance with entitlements and bill paying.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program: Matching volunteers over the age of 55 with numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the county, including tutoring, food pantry, disaster preparedness, and capacity building.

Services to Children and Families

JFS social workers provide an umbrella of specialized services for individuals, families, and children. In a team effort, children, parents, and clinicians work together to strengthen family life and encourage personal growth.

Our program offers the following services:

Individual, Couples and Family Counseling: JFS is a NJ State-licensed outpatient mental health center. Our licensed clinical staff is available to provide psychotherapy to help those in need cope with the stresses of contemporary life.

Children’s Counseling: Our licensed therapists are experienced in working with children, adolescents, and families to seek solutions and nurture growth.

Project Play: Experienced play therapists work with young children and their families in a specialized program of play therapy.

Domestic Violence: Individual counseling is available for victims of domestic violence.

Adoption Services: JFS is a NJ State-certified adoption agency. We provide counseling, home studies, and post placement supervision to pre- and post-adoptive parents.

School-based Services: We provide onsite consultation with teachers and administrators in both private and public schools.

Career Development: JFS provides job seekers with group and individual counseling, assistance in resume development, networking, interview preparation, and how to use social media.

Food Pantry and Emergency Financial Assistance: Agency clients can access our monthly food pantry. Our pantry has undergone extensive remodeling. In addition, emergency food and financial assistance are available for those in crisis.