JFS Programs and Services

Community Social Work Outreach Services Program (SOS) – Through a wide range of social, vocational, outreach and financial services, this program is designed to make a positive difference in the lives of the most economically distressed, vulnerable and at-risk families in the Greater New Haven community.  The primary purpose of the program is to provide this economically distressed population with both short-term stability and, most important, long-term sustainability.

Pastoral Care, Pastoral Counseling and Community Outreach Program – Through study, spiritual reflection and psychological support, this program emphasizes Jewish communal well-being and healing.  In partnership with synagogues and other Jewish communal agencies, the program offers a holistic approach to Jewish life and living that addresses concerns of mind, body and soul.

Senior Services – We assist seniors with information and referral, evaluation and assessment, office and in-home counseling, family consultation, case management, and food assistance.

Food Assistance – Our Food Pantry provides emergency, supplemental and holiday food for residents of Greater New Haven who are at or below the poverty level. Currently JFS provides monthly supplemental food to more than 200 families (which averages a little more than 5,000 lbs. of non-perishable foods distributed monthly).  This does not include perishable foods, frozen foods and/or bakery items.  JFS also serves walk-in clients and families in an emergency situation. 

Volunteer Program – Volunteers are placed in the community as friendly visitors, tutors to children within our foster care program, drivers, food deliverers, food pantry assistance and office help.

Holocaust Survivor Program – This program, funded by the Material Claims Conference, provides emergency and caregiver services to Holocaust Survivors in the Greater New Haven area.

Children’s Respite Program – This program provides individualized respite care to vulnerable and at-risk children away from the home environment.  Respite workers visit the homes,  work one-on-one with the children and introduce them to cultural, educational and physical activities.

Adults with Developmental Disabilities – The Shalom Group offers Jewish adults with developmental disabilities educational enrichment and social interaction with other adults through a series of events celebrating the Jewish holidays.

Foster Care and Adoption – JFS offers therapeutic foster care and medically complex foster care for children under the care of the Connecticut Department of Children & Families (DCF).  JFS recruits and trains families/individuals to become foster and adoptive parents, and we provide intensive case managment and support to foster/adoptive families.  

Permanency Placement Services Program (PPSP) – For children in the care of DCF, we ensure permanency for children through pre-placement planning, recruitment/screening of potential adoptive families, homestudy evaluations of adoptive families, placement planning, post-placement supervision, post-finalization and post adoption services. 

Adoption (Domestic and Intercountry) – JFS assists both birth parents and adoptive parents by finding homes for local and international infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and older children.

Yes to Kids Program (Y2K) – JFS helps find permanent homes for children who would otherwise linger in foster care (due to the age of the child, being a part of a sibling group, or having special needs). JFS recruits, trains and approves families to adopt such children.

Adoption Assistance Program – Funded by a grant from the University of Connecticut Health Center, this program offers brief counseling and referral services for all adoptive families, regardless of how recent or how long ago the adoption took place.

Empowering People For Success Program (EPS) – This program provides outreach, initial assessment, advocacy, case planning, and case management for families with significant barriers to employment.