For People with Special Needs

Services that help people with special needs achieve their highest potential

WJCS provides a variety of programs, services and living arrangements for people with special needs and their families. Our goal is to enable individuals to reach their potential, enhance their strengths and overcome obstacles. This is achieved through direct service, advocacy and supportive services.  

AUTISM SERVICES - a full range of offerings that assist children and adults on the Autism Spectrum and their families deal with their unique challenges.   

RESIDENTIAL SERVICES - caring, supervised homes in residential communities allow adults with special needs to live as independently as possible.  Options include:
     Community residences for adults
     POINT Program - supervised independent living for high functioning young adults     
     Chai House for Jewish young women.

CLINICAL SERVICES:

• DEVELOPMENTAL/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES SERVICES - clinical supports that assist people with developmental/intellectual disabilities and individuals on the autism spectrum and their families 
• EARLY INTERVENTION services for infants through 3 years with developmental delays
• LEARNING CHALLENGES - programs that assist children and adults with assessment, remediation and supportive services   

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES - services to help people who are homebound or disabled to connect with others and provide respite and support for caregivers
     •  CONNECTIONS serving elderly or disabled homebound individuals with professionally led weekly telephone support groups that help alleviate isolation and loneliness. Participants discuss common problems, share resources and develop friendships on the telephone.  Special interest groups review books, play games or discuss topics with experts through their telephone network. Groups have been formed for people with vision impairment and multiple sclerosis.
                Contact: Debbie Schrag, Coordinator 
                Phone: 914-632-6433 ext. 23   Email:  dschrag@wjcs.com 
     •  CAREGIVER SUPPORTS: 
              FAMILY CAREGIVER NETWORK
              PROJECT TIME-OUT    

FAMILY SUPPORTS AND SPECIAL SERVICES:
     •FAMILY ADVOCACY to help teens with developmental  disabilities transition to adult services 
     •CORDD (Oriented Response for Developmental Disabilities) assisting people through crisis situations 
     •HAVORAH celebrating Jewish traditions and holidays
     •MILESTONES providing Early Intervention for young children with developmental delays 
     •MOVING FORWARD therapeutic social club for adults with developmental disabilities
     •PROJECT TIME-OUT respite services
     •SERVICE COORDINATION for children and adults with developmental disabilities
     •UJA-FEDERATION COMMUNITY TRUST - WJCS participates in the UJA-Federation Community Trust for Disabled Adults, an investment and service option that allows families to provide for the future needs of adults with emotional, mental or physical disabilities. Families are able to contribute funds that UJA-Federation of New York invests and manages. WJCS provides personal oversight and advocacy for the individual who is disabled.
              Contact: Mary Grace Giuliano, Asst. Exec. Director, Community Residential Care
              Phone: 914-761-0600 ext 108  e-mail: mguiliano@wjcs.com
     A collaboration with Jewish Child Care Association offers COMPASS, a resource for young adults with learning disabilities and special needs that assists in identifying career and educational direction.

• NURSING HOME TRANSITION DIVERSION, a Medicaid Waiver program, helps seniors and the disabled who require a nursing home level of care, to remain in the community or to return to thecommunity from a nursing home. WJCS service coordinators work with participants/their families to put services in place for a safe transition.

            Contact: Valerie Rissman, LMSW    Phone:  914-761-0600, Ext. 344         Email: vrissman@wjcs.com

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SERVICES      
Through the Department of Health's TBI Waiver Program, this program serves adults whose head injury occurred after the age of 21. WJCS offers individuals home care support (HCSS) through the Home Health Services division.
     Contact: Sheila Rabideau, RN, Asst. Exec. Director, Home Health Services
     Phone: 914-761-0600 ext 339   E-mail:  srabideau@wjcs.com

For information about Residential Care, contact: 
     Janet Alpert, MA, Director of Residential Services
     Phone: 914-761-0600 ext. 128  E-mail: jalpert@wjcs.com

For information about Counseling for People with Special Needs, contact:
     Patricia Grossman, LCSW, Director, Counseling for People with Developmental Disabilities
     Phone: 914-949-7699 ext 355  E-mail: pgrossman@wjcs.com