SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITIES
E ducation
See the Jewish Education chapter for the synagogue-based education
programs for children with special needs.
Whole Community Inclusion
Jewish Learning Venture
261 Old York Road, Suite 720 • Jenkintown, PA 19046
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 Road • 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)
P.O. Box 141 • Merion Station, PA 19066
215-477-7123 • PtachPhiladelphia@gmail.com • ptach.org
Provides educational services for children with learning differences who require
support to maintain themselves in area Jewish day schools. Provides resource
room funding and tutorials.
E mployment P rograms
JEVS Human Services
441 N. Fifth St., second floor • Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-341-5626 • jevshumanservices.org
hireAbility hireAbility@jevs.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 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.
Student Transition Services
267-350-8675 • student@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org/STS
Offers group training and individual work-based learning experiences
for high school students with disabilities in the early stages of their tran-
sition from school to work. Assessment process pairs strengths, values,
barriers and interests with job shadowing and internships toward a goal
of competitive integrated employment.
H ousing
JEVS Human Services
9350 Ashton Road, Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • Fax: 215-255-4777 • jevshumanservices.org
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 Mount Airy, the North-
east and Frankford sections of Philadelphia and in Montgomery County.
Community Residential Rehabilitation Services
Offers individuals diagnosed with a 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 community. Resi-
dents 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. communityresidentialservices@jevs.org.
Life Sharing
Offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to live
with the support of a loving and caring family within the community
and to more fully integrate into the community. This form of adult foster
care helps individuals build relationships with new families and make
new connections and friends. lifesharing@jevs.org
Tikvah Residence
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
tikvah@jevs.org • jevshumanservices.org/program/tikvah-residence
Offers affordable housing for adults with mental health conditions. Res-
idents enjoy the privacy of independent apartment living within a sup-
portive community. JEVS staff organizes activities and provides services
to help each resident lead an active and healthy life. All apartment 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
215-698-7300, ext. 195 • Fax: 215-673-7447 • igulko@kleinlife.org
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, toys and family retreats.
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.
THE GUIDE 2018/2019
81
Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region
South office: 754 S. Ninth St. • Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-574-1765 • info@phillyfriendship.com • phillyfriendship.com
North office: 25 N. State St. • Newtown, PA 18940
215-497-9925, ext. 17 • Fax: 215-497-9929 • jamie@fcpa.info • fcpa.info
Connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families,
by offering Jewish and social experiences; developing friendships while participat-
ing 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.
Hebrew Association of the Deaf
Rose Olanoff Community Center • 8027 Castor Ave. • Philadelphia, PA 19152
215-725-9010 (V/TTY) • TheHADNews@gmail.com
Offers social and recreational programs for the deaf and the hard of hearing,
including religious observances, Shabbat and High Holiday services.
JEVS Human Services
9350 Ashton Road, Suite 201 • Philadelphia, PA 19114
267-350-8600 • Fax: 215-255-4777 • jevshumanservices.org
Community Collaborative • collaborative@jevs.org
Offers participants a full range of adult day services and a seniors pro-
gram providing social activities, social skills training and community
involvement to adults with developmental disabilities.
In-Home Supports
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. inhomesupports@jevs.org
Philadelphia Independence Network-Narberth, PA &
Independence Network-Collingswood, NJ
Empowers young adults with disabilities to live independent and full
lives. Members live in their own apartments within a walkable com-
munity (currently Narberth, PA, and Collingswood, NJ) and are active
members of the community. Each member receives a mix of services,
customized to their needs and changing as they grow. Services may
include independent living skill instruction and strategies, employment
support and coaching, opportunities to socialize and engage in com-
munity events and activities, team and community building techniques,
community and home safety discussions, and group financial manage-
ment discussions. Members also participate in enrichment activities to
increase awareness of opportunities. pin@jevs.org • NJSupports@jevs.org
Road to Recovery
Offers opportunities to adults (18+) with serious mental illness to
achieve independence in living, learning, working and socializing. Par-
ticipants take an active role in their own recovery, selecting their own
goals and areas for improvement. The program instills confidence, self‐
empowerment and self-sufficiency by assisting individuals to integrate
into the community and to live more independent lives. Participants
engage in psycho-educational groups as well as evidence based treatment
modalities and individual therapy. Website: recovery@jevs.org.
Supported Independent Living
Allows adults with intellectual disabilities or with a behavioral health
diagnosis to live stable lives in the comfort of their homes. With the sup-
port of helpers, the participants maintain their independence and are
encouraged to make their own choices, develop new abilities, and culti-
vate their special talents. Website: clhs@jevs.org.
Supports Coordination
2770 Red Lion Road • Philadelphia, PA 19114
215-728-4435 • Fax: 267-298-1301 • supportscoordination@jevs.org
Seniors and adults 18 years of age or older who have a physical disability
82 THE GUIDE 2018/2019
lasting for more than a year, can benefit from Supports Coordination
to assist them to stay in their own homes, go to work, attend school and
participate fully in the community. Assists individuals who participate in
the Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) programs in gaining access to
needed services and other state Medicaid plan services, as well as other
medical and social services regardless of the funding source. Services are
free to those who qualify.
Jewish Family and Children’s Service
of Philadelphia-People Living with Disabilities
7901 Bustleton Ave., Berris Plaza, Suite 206 • Phila, PA 19116 • 1-866-532-7669
and: The Barbara & Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center
345 Montgomery Ave. • Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 • 267-314-0909
info@jfcsphilly.org • jfcsphilly.org
Supports individuals with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers,
in the process to achieving stability, the highest level of independence, a sense
of community and an enhanced quality of life. Staffed by a team of care man-
agers and social workers, the Center supports children, teens and adults with
developmental or intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, Asperger’s
syndrome, learning disabilities, social phobias, anxiety disorders, attention
deficit disorders, etc. Offers a network of services and programs providing care
management services and long-term care planning, including connections to
community-based resources, financial assistance, budgeting guidance, planning
for the transition from childhood to adulthood, life skills coaching, assistance in
locating meaningful employment and/or volunteer opportunities, and respite.
The program provides socialization outings, skill-building workshops, holiday
celebrations, community service activities, as well as counseling services.
Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence (JCHAI)
Federation Hall • 274 S. Bryn Mawr Ave. • Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-667-7875 • Fax: 610-520-4705 • questions@jchai.org • jchai.org
Provides independent living support and vocational programs for individuals
with developmental disabilities. Although JCHAI is nonsectarian, kosher
options are available, and Jewish programming is provided for those residents
who wish to partake in Jewish activities.
JCHAI Supported Apartment Program is designed for individuals who
can primarily live independently, but who may need some additional
support in daily living skills.
JCHAI At Home provides an independent living program providing
support in daily living activities to individuals living in their own apart-
ments or homes or still living with their parents.
JCHAI Transitions is an after-school and weekend activity program
offered at the JCHAI Bryn Mawr location geared toward teaching inde-
pendent living and vocational skills to young adults 18 through early 30s.
Outpatient Mental Health Services
Einstein Healthcare Network
1200 W. Tabor Road, Suite 100 • Philadelphia, PA 19141 • 1-800-EINSTEIN
and Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park
60 Township Line Road • Elkins Park, PA 19027 • 215-663-6077
Board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists offer outpa-
tient services for children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Services include:
comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy for individuals, families,
couples and groups, and medication management.
Tikvah/AJMI (Advocates for the Jewish Mentally Ill)
2100 Arch St. • Philadelphia, PA 19103 • P.O. Box 52730, Philadelphia, PA
19115 • 215-832-0671 • 267-581-5291 (event line)
TikvahAJMI@jewishphilly.org • tivahajmi.com
Provides support and advocacy for individuals and families who are affected
by mental illness. Builds a sense of community by socializing and celebrating
Jewish holidays. Educates the Jewish community about mental illness
(biological brain disorders) and improves the quality of life for persons with
mental illness by providing psychosocial rehabilitation via social experiences
and life-skills education, and some transitional employment.