SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
E DUCATION
See the Jewish Education Chapter for the Synagogue-based Education
Programs for children with special needs.
Day Schools
The following day schools have programs for children with special needs.
Abrams Hebrew Academy: 215-493-1800
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy: 610-922-2300
Politz Hebrew Academy of Philadelphia: 215-969-5960
Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Day School:
Forman Center: 215-635-3130
Stern Center: 610-658-2518
Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia: 610-642-7870
Jewish Federation Early Learning Services
Central Administration:
Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Campus
10700 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-676-7550 • Fax: 215-676-9498
info@FelsKids.org • FelsKids.org
Enrolls children with a wide range of special needs. A child development
specialist, in co l laboration with parents and teachers, develops individual
educational plans and assists teachers in achieving desired outcomes, including
the successful integration of children with special needs into the classroom.
Jewish Learning Venture-Whole Community Inclusion
Mandell Education Campus
7607 Old York Rd. • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-320-0360 • Fax: 215-635-8946
Gkaplan-mayer@jewishlearningventure.org jewishlearningventure.org
Engages people with special needs, and their families, and supports their ability
to access a range of Jewish educational and religious experiences from early
childhood through the transition to adulthood. Learning opportunities
throughout the year are offered for families, educators and community
members and leaders.
OROT Program
7601 Old York Rd. • Melrose Park, PA 19027
215-935-0020 • info@orotkids.org • orotkids.org
Supports special needs education in Jewish day schools for children whose
needs cannot be met by a resource room. In conjunction with host day schools,
OROT personnel set policy, create and supervise programs, provide financial
support and advocate for services provided to children with special needs.
OROT seeks to provide the best possible curriculum within a supportive and
inclusive environment.
P’TACH (Parents for Torah for All Children)
Post Office Box 141 • Merion Station, PA 19066
215-477-7123 • PtachPhiladelphia@gmail.com • ptach.org
Provides educational services for children with learning difficulties who need
help to maintain themselves in area Jewish day schools. Provides resource room
funding and tutorials.
66 THE GUIDE 2016/2017
E MPLOYMENT P ROGRAMS
JEVS Human Services
9350 Ashton Rd., Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • Fax: 215-255-4777 • jevshumanservices.org
Culinary Connections
1528 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
267-298-1618 • culinaryconnections@jevs.org
Offers youth and adults the opportunity to gain experience in the culinary
arts field. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of cooking and
safety through professional kitchen workshops and experiences. At
completion of the eight-week, hands-on training course, students
receive job development and job search support, as well as a four-week
professional culinary internship and job retention support for alumni.
hireAbility hireAbility@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
Offers individuals with disabilities -- as well as those living with
chronic diseases -- assistance in preparing for competitive employment.
Customized services include vocational assessments, career track
identification, along with job development, placement and coaching.
Project Success
projectsuccess@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org
Offers young adults with Asperger’s syndrome or pervasive
development disorder a transition to employment. A comprehensive
approach supports these young adults through all phases, including
development of socialization, one-on-one job development, job
placement and personal-interaction skills.
H OUSING
Judith Creed Homes for Adult Independence (JCHAI)
Federation Hall
274 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. • Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-667-7875 • Fax: 610-667-7882
Questions@jchai.org • jchai.org
Provides group homes and supportive apartment programs for individuals
with developmental disabilities. Although JCHAI is nonsectarian, all houses
are kosher, and Jewish programming is provided for those residents who wish
to partake in Jewish activities. Also provides an independent living program
providing support in daily living activities to individ uals living in their own
apartments or homes.
JEVS Human Services
Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region
9350 Ashton Rd., Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • Fax: 215-255-4777 • jevshumanservices.org
South Office: 754 S. Ninth St. • Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-574-1765 • Fax: 270-574-1766
info@phillyfriendship.com • phillyfriendship.com
North Office: 25 N. State St. • Newtown, PA 18940
215-497-1003 • friends@fcpc.info • fcpa.info
Connects teens and young adults to youths with special needs and their families,
offering Jewish and social experiences; developing friendships while participating
in creative arts group activities, Jewish holiday celebrations, weekly playdates and
more. Fosters the development of a caring, supportive community.
South office serves Philadelphia, Montgomery, Chester and
Delaware counties.
North office serves Bucks County, Huntingdon Valley and
Northeast Philadelphia.
Community Homes
clhs@jevs.org Offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live
with independence and dignity. Staff provides specialized 24-hour support
for one to three individuals per residence. The Community Homes
promote each individual’s interests and abilities, with an emphasis on
community involvement, stability and maintaining important ties to
family and loved ones. Homes are located in the Mt. Airy, the Northeast
and Frankford sections of Philadelphia and in Montgomery County.
Community Residential Rehabilitation Services
communityresidentialservices@jevs.org Offers individuals diagnosed with a primary mental health disorder
a home and trained staff focused on helping them become more self-
sufficient and prepared for independence and everyday life in the com-
munity. Residents agree on goals annually and receive the assistance to
meet these goals. It is the mission of this program to graduate
residents to a more independent living situation.
Life Sharing
lifesharing@jevs.org Offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live
with the support of a loving and caring family within the community.
Individuals build relationships with new families while maintaining
strong ties to his or her own family of origin.
Tikvah Residence
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Tikvah@jevs.org • TikvahResidence.org
Offers affordable housing for adults with mental health needs. Residents
enjoy the privacy of independent apartment living within a community.
JEVS staff organizes activities and provides services to help each resident
lead an active and healthy life. All units are currently occupied.
S OCIAL AND S UPPORT P ROGRAMS
Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
KleinLife: Northeast Philadelphia
10100 Jamison Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-698-7300, Ext. 184 • Fax: 215-673-7447
Offers social and educational activities, a support group and life skills classes
for visually impaired adults. Transportation is available through ParaTransit.
Chai Lifeline
732-719-1700 • Fax: 723-886-0065
nj@chailifeline.org • chailifeline.org/nj
Provides seriously ill children and their families in Pennsylvania care and assis-
tance. Maintains a network of psychosocial support programs including medical
referrals, insurance support services, emotional support groups, homebound
tutorial programs, special trips and holiday festivities, toy dr.s, bone-marrow dr.s
and family retreats. Also offers a summer camping program called Camp Simcha
and Camp Simcha Special. The program offers a daily shuttle service from New
Jersey locations to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and accommodations at
Chai House, an apartment located near the hospital. The newest addition is a
fully stocked kosher pantry in the hospital.
Hebrew Association of the Deaf
Rose Olanoff Community Center
8027 Castor Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19152
215-725-9010 (V/TTY) • Rgbalsam@juno.com
Offers social and recreational programs for the deaf and hearing impaired,
including religious observances, Shabbat and High Holiday services.
JEVS Human Services
9350 Ashton Rd., Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • Fax: 215-255-4777 • jevshumanservices.org
Community Collaborative
330 W. Chelten Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-844-7700 • Fax: 215-848-7715
collaborative@jevs.org Offers participants a full range of adult day services and a seniors
program providing social activities, social skills training and community
involvement to adults with developmental disabilities.
In-Home Supports
inhomesupports@jevs.org Offers adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live in the
comfort of their own homes and maintain their independence with the
support of committed caregivers. Individuals are supported and encour-
aged to make their own choices, develop new abilities and cultivate their
special talents in their homes and communities.
Philadelphia Independence Network (PIN)
pin@jevs.org Empowers young adults with disabilities to live independent lives.
Members live in their own apartments throughout Narberth and are
active members of the community. Each member receives a mix of
services customized to their needs, which change as they grow.
Services may include independent living skill instruction and strategies,
employment support and coaching, opportunities to socialize and
engage in community events and activities, team and community
building techniques, community and home safety discussions, and
group financial management discussions.
Rd. to Recovery
recovery@jevs.org Offers opportunities to adults (18+) with mental illness to achieve
independence in living, learning, working and socializing. Participants
take an active role in their own recovery, selecting their own goals and
areas for improvement. The program instills confidence, self‐empower-
ment and self-sufficiency by assisting individuals integrate into the
community and living more independent lives.
THE GUIDE 2016/2017
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