(Courtesy of JFS MetroWest) Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ (JFS) and Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest (JVS) are proud to announce they have each received grants from the Community Development Block Grant program which is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. presented the funds to Diane K. Squadron, PsyD, Chief Executive Officer of JFS, and Michael Andreas, Chief Executive Officer of JVS.

JFS is grateful for this continued funding, which provides case management services for frail, homebound and isolated older adults throughout Essex County. This program is an integrated approach to the provision of case management, mental health, health education and healthcare services, with the goal of enabling older adults to get the support they need to live meaningful lives. The plan is monitored and adapted to meet the evolving needs of the aging client as the client gets older, their health declines and their needs increase.

Services provided include client referrals and coordination of services such as:

• At Home Assistance: Home Health Aide/Companion Agencies
• Adult Day Programs & Senior Centers
• Community & Government Resources
• Financial: Medicare Counseling, Money Management, Elder Care Attorneys
• Food: Meals on Wheels, Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Home Modification Services
• Housing: Senior Buildings, Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Mental Health: Counseling, Support Groups, Friendly Visiting
• Medical: Geriatricians, Visiting Nurse Agencies, Psychiatrists
• Transportation

The funds received by JVS will be used to support its work with people with disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. Its vocational rehabilitation department provides individualized assistance to people with disabilities to help them enter and be successful in the workplace. Services include all facets of career discovery, career readiness including life skills, job placement and long-term follow along.

In addition to its work with people with disabilities, JVS assists people who face barriers to employment based on age, educational level, immigrant status and socioeconomic background to prepare for and find employment. Services include:

• English as a Second Language Classes
• Citizenship Classes
• Immigrant and Refugee Services
• Adult Basic Education Classes
• Pharmacy Technician Training
• Home Health Aide Training
• Career Services, such as Career Counseling, Mock Interviewing, Resume Support
• Student Loans and Scholarships

For more information, please call (973) 765-9050 or visit www.jfsmetrowest.org.