We are pleased to share the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter with news, updates, and highlights from JCS Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities.
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Maryland General Assembly Votes on Supported Decision Making
In what is seen as a civil rights issue for people with disabilities, House Bill 529/Senate Bill 559: Estates & Trusts - Supported Decision Making creates a far less restrictive alternative to guardianship with the use of “supporters,” chosen by a person to help effectuate their decisions. Supporters are prohibited from substituting their own decisions for that of the person they are supporting and the Supported Decision-Making option does not supplant the authority of a power of attorney or an advance directive.
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• SUPPORTED LIVING FOR YOUR FAMILY •
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Is Supported Living a Match for Your Family? |
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Supported Living is a residential habilitation service designed to provide individuals who require 6-24 hours of support per day with the supports they need, while empowering participants to choose how, where, and with whom they live.
- Supported Living helps participants to live more independently in their homes and communities, with or without a housemate.
- Participants receiving Supported Living services must have a legally enforceable lease or service agreement.
- Supports are based on individual needs and preferences and may include but are not limited to assistance with housekeeping, meal planning, budgeting, banking, community integrations skills, social and self-advocacy skills, etc.
JCS is currently accepting referrals for Supported Living. Have questions? Call 410-466-9200.
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Our diverse team of professionals is dedicated to creating a community in which every person can achieve their highest quality of life and well-being. Want to be part of the change you wish to see in the world? Check out open positions with JCS Support Services for Individuals with Disabilities (SSID) and Employment Support Services (ESS):
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• ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH •
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Recognizing and Supporting Mental Health Needs of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
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July 11, 2022
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Via Zoom
2.0 Category I CEUs
Calling all human services providers, mental health practitioners, and direct support professionals! To effectively meet the comprehensive needs of individuals who have developmental disabilities, you must also be prepared to recognize and attend to co-occurring mental health challenges, ensuring individuals receive appropriate supports and services.
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Meaningful Day Activities Open Up
As of Monday March 7, due to the downward trend in COVID rates, we were able to reopen our in-person Community Development Services program that has us out visiting the community and volunteering. It’s been especially nice to enjoy the spring weather after the long cold winter. We continue to offer our virtual programming and encourage individuals to participate in a hybrid of both in-person and virtual activities. In-person activities take place at the Park Heights JCC where we can utilize a kitchen to make delicious treats, access the gym and pool, and spend time walking outside.
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Movie Night
On April 5, the residential program had a private viewing of Spider Man: No Way Home at the Next Act Cinema in Pikesville. Everyone enjoyed getting together to see their peers, eat popcorn, and watch the movie in comfortable reclining seats. The event was made possible through a generous grant from the Civitan Club of Baltimore which allows JCS to plan for upcoming activities, including bowling parties and BBQing in the park.
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Songs and Storytelling During Passover
On April 7, JCS hosted our second virtual Passover Seder with 30 clients and community members in attendance. Ben Temin, JCS Coordinator of Economic Sufficiency, was our song leader. He guided clients, community members, and staff in an evening of song and interactive storytelling. Ben also created fun pictures and a special Haggadah for the occasion. Thanks, Ben!
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Ready to Find Your Next Job? Let Us Help!
The JCS Employment Support Services Team is geared up to help you with your job search! ESS staff received a one-day training facilitated by Corey Smith, Senior Associate at Griffin-Hammis Associates, focused on job development strategies in a post-COVID shut down environment. This training has given our employment specialists and job coaches the necessary tools to assist transitioning students and adults with disabilities to gain competitive and inclusive community-based employment. In this ever-changing workforce landscape, the ESS team is here to meet the needs of the employer and the job seeker. A good match of employer and job seeker is essential to sustaining long-term employment.
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The Road to Employment for Teens
Learn to Earn is a JCS sponsored program designed to help prepare girls with diagnosed disabilities who attend Bais Yaakov for the working world. Through a series of weekly classes, students explore their skills and talents, along with their passions to figure out what types of jobs they might be best suited. Basic skills of learning how to introduce yourself, interact with a boss, making a skills resume, and interviewing are topics that are covered.
The goal of the program is to start these young ladies on the road to thinking about what it means to have a job and give them some pre-vocational soft skills that will prepare them for the world of work. The program is being led by retired Howard County Special Education Teacher and now JCS Job Coach, Eric Reisman.
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Lighting a Spark this Summer
This summer, JCS is excited to partner with Friendship Circle to bring The Spark Summer Program. Designed for adults who have diagnosed disabilities, this program will teach important vocational skills to prepare for or re-enter the world of work, including work etiquette, time management, customer service, self-advocacy, and more. In addition, fun summer activities will be woven in throughout the day.
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Denise James
Direct Support Professional
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Dedicated to JCS for more than 8 years now, Denise is the lead staff at our Bland Avenue Alternative Living Unit, which is home to three wonderful women with varying abilities. Denise has made it a point to promote person-centered plans, communicating with each of the residents in her care in ways that are meaningful and empowering to them. She champions the residents and assists them in meeting their personal goals, finding new and creative ways to involve them in every decision. During the pandemic, Denise was instrumental in keeping the women busy and maintaining some form of normalcy throughout the uncertain times. She recently shared: "I am excited that we have made it through COVID and kept ourselves busy with puzzles, zoom activities, movies, family and friend porch and zoom visits, community rides, and neighborhood walks. Because of the compassion and LOVE we have for one another, we are still standing.”
Denise's supervisor, Sharon Barksdale had this to say about Denise: "Denise goes above and beyond to assure the women of Bland are living their best life, always willing to assist as needed. Whether she’s coordinating appointments, movie nights, dance parties, bowling adventures, or shopping, Denise is truly loved by the women of Bland and JCS is blessed to have such an amazing and impressive person working for us.”
When asked about a guiding principle that keeps her motivated, Denise said, “One of the things that I'm learning in life as I get older is you have to see yourself in other people and see other people in you. When you love yourself you can't help but to love other people. It makes life a whole lot simpler.”
We thank Denise for her commitment to JCS and for enriching the lives of the residents at Bland Ave.
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Freddy, a resident at one of our Alternative Living Units celebrated his 80th birthday in April. with a bowling party at Pikesville Lanes, where he was surrounded by his peers and JCS staff. In addition to celebrating a milestone birthday, Freddy will also be celebrating 2022 as a 30-year resident in the ALU program.
Living his formative years with parents who left him and his siblings malnourished and neglected, Freddy became a part of the state system when his parents were incarcerated for extreme child abuse. At age 10, Freddy was admitted to an institution and spent years in and out of residential facilities, institutions, and psychiatric facilities.
Freddy came to JCS in November 1992 and through the years, not without difficulties, Freddy succeeded in gaining long-term employment at a hotel, taking public transportation independently and embracing the community. He looked forward to his community activities with peers and staff, especially going to dances, because this man can dance! Those who Freddy encounters are quickly brought into his circle. He makes everyone smile and want to be a part of his life, particularly the ladies, who Freddy loves to charm with his sweet talk. At the youthful age of 80, Freddy would be considered the “grandfather of the residential program,” a family member to us all, and a true success story at JCS.
Here’s to 80 years - Happy Birthday, Freddy!!
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• SUMMER RECIPE: ICE CREAM •
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Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to whip the cream until stiff peaks occur. The cream will be done when you pull the beaters out and the cream stands at attention; be careful not to over-whip.
- In another large bowl, whisk the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk. Gently fold in the whipped cream with a spatula, slowly incorporating the two mixtures together so it stays light and aerated.
- If making individual flavors, scoop the cream mixture into smaller bowls and gently fold in your desired mix-ins, or if making just one flavor, mix the ingredients directly into the cream mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to an insulated tub or paper containers and freeze for 4-6 hours. Enjoy!
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JCS provides a range of community-based services for individuals with disabilities and their families through supported living, residential services, and employment support services.
Our mission is to enable people with differing abilities to live, learn, work, and otherwise participate as full members of their Jewish and general communities. We are dedicated to ensuring all individuals have the same opportunities that are open to other community members; that is, the ability and support to live a dignified lifestyle with opportunities for growth, friendship, recreation, and choice.
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