JFCS in the News
JFCS studies direction
by Deborah Moon
January 15, 2008
Jewish Review
Under the leadership of 
Interim Executive Director Marian Fenimore, Jewish Family and Child Service has embarked on a strategic planning process to determine where we are and where we want to be going to determine what we want to seek in a director.”
Feminore, who joined JFCS in 1997 as the home care coordinator for the agency’s Lifeline program, began the interim post Oct. 15 after the retirement of executive director Marvin Kuperstein.
Times of transition are good times for examining and planning, said Fenimore, noting JFCS followed the same procedure when Rena Waxman released the reins of the agency in 2002.
The JFCS board launched the process at a special board meeting Jan. 8. Surveys of staff, current and past clients, and community members will augment input from a focus group convened by the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Annual client satisfaction surveys (conducted each spring) also will be reviewed.
“We are going to look at what services we are providing, what services people are familiar with and which they would like to see expanded, and if we were to eliminate services, what would they be?” said Fenimore. “The client survey would ask if services were eliminated, what would they (clients) do?”
Fenimore said that many JFCS clients are those who would fall through the cracks. Most do not qualify for the Oregon Health Plan or Oregon Project Independence (a state-run home health program for the frail elderly), yet they cannot afford to access services in the private sector, she said.
Many JFCS clients are on Medicare, but many private providers and mental health agencies do not take Medicare patients due to requirements for providers, she said. “JFCS does accept Medicare,” she said. “Many people we see would not be able to access those mental health services elsewhere.”
In addition to mental health services and assistance to help elderly clients remain in their home, Fenimore said JFCS also provides a financial aid program and myriad services to Holocaust survivors and immigrants from the former Soviet Union. The agency’s TASK (Treasuring, Accepting, Supporting Kehilla) program provides disability awareness and support for individuals and families dealing with any form of disability.
“When you look at all the programs and services we offer, we do a heck of a lot with few people,” said Fenimore.
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JFCS Respite Care Program
By Deborah Moon
January 1, 2008
Jewish Review
Thanks to a generous grant of $2,000 from the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Jewish Family & Child Service will be offering a Respite Care Program for families with children or adolescents with a disability.
Respite care is temporary, short-term care for an individual with special needs. TASK Inclusion Specialist at JFCS, Corinne Spiegel, MS Spec. Ed., says, “One of the biggest issues that parents face when raising children with special needs is taking adequate time for themselves to feel nurtured and positive. This time allows them to continue to provide the extra effort needed to meet the extraordinary demands of their family. Having respite care also allows the children to establish individual identities and enrich their own growth and development through a positive connection with another caring adult.”
The Respite Care program will provide a needed break for parents, while assuring that trained and enthusiastic volunteers are providing appropriate attention and care for their child. “By providing affordable, quality respite care, offered by trained volunteer providers, JFCS seeks to strengthen the stability of families and caregivers of children and adolescents with a disability, while at the same time enhancing the quality of life of the young person. I
n addition, it is our hope that volunteers who are providing respite care not only receive training and experience working with people with disabilities, but also feel valued and connected to someone needing assistance,” says JFCS’s Volunteer Coordinator, Erin Singer, MSW.
If you are a caregiver of a child with special needs, and are interested in participating in the Respite Care Program, call Corinne Spiegel at 503-226-7079 ext. 22 or email Corinne@jfcs-portland.org.
JFCS Sets Workshops
August, 2007
Jewish Review
In recent months, Jewish Family and Child Service and numerous local Jewish organizations have expanded their efforts to create collaborative programming between each of these organizations and JFCS. For several years, organizations have discussed collaborative programming with JFCS. Recently, programs have come to fruition. Organizations involved in the conversations have included Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Havurah Shalom, Gesher, Beit Haverim-SMJC, Portland Jewish Academy, Cedar Sinai Park, B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, Mittleman Jewish Community Center and the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation.
"It is exciting for the MJCC to be able to partner with JFCS to provide workshops that our community has specifically requested and shown interest in," said Jordana Levenick, MJCC programming director. "We hope these workshops will be filled with useful information in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Bringing these workshops back to the Jewish community living room is a perfect fit."
Beginning this fall, JFCS will bring information to the synagogues and organizations through their bulletins, newsletters, and Web sites. In collaboration with the organizations, JFCS also will provide workshops for parents, seniors and people with disabilities, as well as JFCS traditional services such as counseling, case management, home care and specialized programs for Russian speakers, Holocaust survivors and people in crisis. As a result of these outreach efforts, JFCS has conducted in-service trainings for camp counselors and teachers this summer.
Beginning this fall, JFCS will be offering a Life Learning Series of parenting workshops for the community at the MJCC. Topics include: Developmental Stages and What to Expect From Your Child; Dealing with Discipline and Parental Guilt; Behavior Management and Helping Children with Emotional Regulation; Anger Management and Problem-Solving; Dealing With And Setting Limits Around Sleep And Bedtime Issues; Talking With Your Child About Sex; Advocating for Your Child at School-Cementing the School/Home Partnership; When Teasing Becomes an Issue and Techniques for Dealing With It; and How to Set and Reach Your Goals for the New Year.
Other workshops will be scheduled for winter and spring of 2008. These will include workshops for seniors, caregivers and their families, and additional staff in-service trainings.
Visit Workshops and Seminars for more information.
JFCS Opens Up With Remodel
By Deborah Moon
July 15, 2007
Jewish Review
Jewish Family and Child Service is remodeling and reconfiguring their office space to separate the business operations from social services and to provide a warmer, more welcoming environment reflective of their mission.
FORMER OFFICE - Jewish Family and Child Service Executive Director Marvin Kuperstein stands in the agency's beautiful new reception area - formerly his large corner office. Kuperstein gave up the well-lighted room with a view for a small office because, "It's something the public needs to have... We want you to feel welcome."
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Neighborhood House Sale Revenue Will Fund Two Major Jewish Projects
Acrimony mars decision process
By Deborah Moon
May 1, 2007
Jewish Review
At an often heated meeting, NCJW's Portland Section voted April 22 to split the $975,000 from the sale of its Neighborhood House between two local Jewish community projects - a special needs housing project and a permanent Oregon Jewish history exhibit.
The proposal still must be approved by the national office of the National Coalition of Jewish Women, according to Portland Section President Leslye Epstein, adding she believes the national board will support the local vote.
...The committee, headed by Meryl Haber, proposed equally dividing the sale price between two projects: a special needs housing project jointly proposed by Cedar Sinai Park and Jewish Family and Child Service and a permanent exhibit gallery and related educational programs at the Oregon Jewish Museum.
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