September is National Suicide
Prevention Month
All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
#BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and beyond, which helps spread the word about actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope.
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JFCS Louisville Names David L. Finke, Ph.D. as CEO
Jewish Family & Career Services of Louisville announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, David L. Finke, Ph.D., following an exhaustive national and local search. Finke will begin his role on September 13th.
Finke brings more than twenty-six years of experience as a clinical psychologist and administrative manager in the social service sector, specializing in trauma-informed care practices. In his most recent role as the Vice President of Residential Programming for Bellewood and Brooklawn, Finke provided administrative and operational oversight for the dual campus residential treatment facility, implemented trauma-informed quality improvement initiatives for staff and collaborated with community service providers, schools and the court system regularly. Learn more about David Finke here.
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FALL TRAININGS
Including CEUs for Social Workers
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NJHSA member agency professionals are invited to join Courtney Owen, LCSW, Director of Individual & Family Services at JFCS of Greater Philadelphia for a specially designed training webinar on hoarding. During the session you'll learn the definition of hoarding disorder as determined by the DSM5, how to engage individuals with hoarding disorder and what interventions are available based on current research. Additionally, you will learn to utilize clinically appropriate assessment tools to determine if hoarding disorder is the appropriate diagnosis and how to utilize those tools in treatment.
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People with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others may view as no longer useful or needed. They have persistent difficulty parting with possessions, leading to clutter that disrupts their ability to use their living or work spaces as intended, and can lead to health and safety concerns.
Hoarding is not the same as collecting. People with hoarding disorder save items to prevent waste, fear of losing important information, sentimentality, characteristics or aesthetic of items, or a feeling of safety being surrounded by their items.
The hoarding causes major distress or problems in social, work or other important areas of functions.
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Intro to Hoarding Disorder
Thursday, October 5th | 3 - 4:30pm ET
1.5 CEUs for Social Workers
$36/person
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In-person/Remote Yet Never Apart: A Course About Intentional Gatherings for Impact
FOR C SUITE EXECS ONLY!
Tuesdays, October 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th | 3:30-5pm ET
$350/person - EARLY BIRD $300 by Sept. 15th
Participate in this 4-part series designed to enable attendees to strategically harness the best of in-person, remote and hybrid models for optimal organizational impact. The course includes:
- 4 x 90-minute sessions
- 6 online collaborative tools and technology with support in how to use them and introduce them internally to professional and volunteer leaders.
- New mindsets and vocabulary for navigating the evolving landscape.
- Strategies for leading teams in making critical decisions for optimal gathering, engagement and impact.
- Digital ‘swag bag’ of all tools and materials shared in the course
- A proactive approach to policy, gathering, engagement, and improved service delivery.
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Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults - 11/2 | 1pm ET
During this training you'll learn how to explain the terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, understand why LGBT older adults may hide their identity, and become more aware of corporate LGBT concerns into person-directed care. You will also be connected to local and national resources.
Transgender Older Adults: Information and Suggestions for Providers - 11/9 | 1pm ET
This training will enable participants to answer common questions about the transgender experience and transitioning, learn best practices for providing transgender affirming care, and discuss the unique needs of transgender older adults
Preventing and Responding to Bullying Between Older Adults - 11/16 | 1pm ET
In this training you will learn how to describe the different types of bullying behavior, intervene when you see bullying behavior, and articulate how to address the underlying cause of the bullying.
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Under the Rainbow:
A 3-Part Training Series on Older Adult LGBTQ Inclusion and Cultural Humility
Tuesdays, November 2nd, 9th & 16th
3 CEUs for Social Workers
$108/person
Participate in the 3-training series offered by SAGE, a national advocacy and services organization that’s been looking out for LGBT elders since 1978.
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*RESCHEDULED TO 10/27*
Introduction to JSCREEN
1pm ET
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Supporting Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia and a History of Trauma: Unique Challenges and Trauma-Informed Approaches
August 31st | 2pm ET
Family caregivers of older adults with dementia and a history of trauma face a number of unique challenges, including trauma-related symptoms in their loved ones that can be sudden, frightening, and difficult to explain; and fears of re-traumatizing their loved ones while managing their behavioral and cognitive symptoms during caregiving tasks. This webinar, presented by The JFNA Center on Aging and Trauma, a project of the Holocaust Survivor Initiative, will provide an overview of the intersection between trauma and dementia and of the unique challenges of family caregivers of older adults with dementia and a history of trauma, and provide examples of how person-centered, trauma-informed approaches can help ameliorate these challenges and promote the health and well- being of this uniquely vulnerable caregiving population.
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FLEX For CHECKS Vaccine Incentive Program
September 14th | 1pm ET
Sponsored by the Residential Providers, Disabilities and Home Care Administrators Affinity Groups
FLEX FOR CHECKS a vaccine incentive program that agencies can sign onto to encourage staff to get the vaccine. Those who take the vaccine and those who refer as well as the agencies that they work for will all receive cash payments per shot.
This is a partnership of NJHSA with NEVVON and the National Minority Health Association.
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Turning Our Good Intentions Toward Actions That Lead to Belonging and Inclusion
Join Shelly Christensen for Inclusion in Action, Tamir’s new webinar series! At Tamir they believe that including people with disabilities and mental health conditions across the lifespan is an important part of our Jewish values. In this webinar, Jewish Inclusion expert Shelly Christensen will discuss opportunities and strategies to embrace a growth mindset so important to belonging and inclusion. Whether you’re just getting started or continuing your journey, you’ll be inspired and motivated.
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High Holiday Resources
The High Holidays are a powerful time for reflection on what we've accomplished and what we could have done better, and making a commitment to improving ourselves in the new year. For many, however, that task can be not only challenging but dangerous.
Reflection done right can be transformative and enlightening, but for those struggling with mental illness and eating disorders, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can be incredibly taxing days that are detrimental to their mental health. That is why we created our High Holiday resources to ensure everyone has an elevating and mentally healthy High Holiday experience.
The Blue Dove Foundation hopes these resources serve as powerful tools to promote mental wellness in your community, and we encourage you to share the creative ways your community uses them by posting photos to social media with #BDFHighHolidays2021.
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Opening All Gates: Making High Holiday Celebrations Accessible to All, In Person and Online
RespectAbility has created a revised edition of the “Opening Your Virtual Gates” toolkit that they created last year, with the help of Rabbis Lauren Tuchman and Darby Leigh, to ensure that virtual services included the one in five Jews with disabilities. Leigh, who is Deaf, and Tuchman, who is blind, brought both their deep knowledge as rabbis and critical lived experiences. “Opening All Gates" updates this content, while adding in content for in person services. Access the current toolkit here.
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NETWORK CALENDAR
View the NJHSA Calendar for a complete list of calls and webinars.
Visit the Calls & Webinars page in the Members Only section for registration links.
All presentations are recorded. Video and audio recordings as well as presentations and additional resources can be found on in the Resource Library in the Members Only section.
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Action Alert!
HIAS Actions on Afghan Crisis
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USDA Modernizes the Thrifty Food Plan, Updates SNAP Benefits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a re-evaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, used to calculate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. As a result, the average SNAP benefit – excluding additional funds provided as part of pandemic relief – will increase for Fiscal Year 2022 beginning on October 1, 2021.
As directed by Congress in the 2018 Farm Bill – and with the expressed support of President Biden’s January 22 Executive Order – USDA conducted a data-driven review of the Thrifty Food Plan. Recent evidence consistently shows that benefit levels are too low to provide for a realistic, healthy diet, even with households contributing their own funds toward groceries.
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“Policy Goals Supporting a Comprehensive 988 Crisis System” for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September 14th | 12pm ET
Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Kennedy Forum, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) with remarks from Vibrant Emotional Health. Speakers will provide an understanding of the workings of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and its transition to 988 and awareness of current policy goals to build a comprehensive crisis response system.
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NJHSA Requests Fixes to Ensure CTC Reaches All
in Need
NJHSA recently joined a national organizational letter to the White House urging funding for state agency and education several technical corrections to ensure that CTC payments effectively reach all experiencing economic hardship, including: ITIN filers, parents with partial child custody, those who are self-employed. Read the letter here.
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How Can Your 401k or 403b Retirement Plan Help You Attract, Obtain and Retain Top Talent in Today’s Tough Job Market?
When was the last time that you reviewed the provisions of your retirement plan for their competitiveness and updated them to make your plan more attractive to today’s workforce and to prepare your employees to be more retire ready? Are you still requiring a one year waiting period or any waiting period for employees to participate in your plan? Are you asking employees to opt in or to opt out? To make enrollment easier more and more plans today no longer ask employees to opt in but ask if they want to opt out. Enrollment rates are much higher with the opt out method. Plans with higher enrollment rates often have less turnover. Have you reviewed your employer match or base contribution to see if it’s still competitive with others in the marketplace? Does your plan give service credit towards eligibility and/or vesting for employment with another employer in the same field or industry?
NJHSA’s retirement plan partner Mutual of America can review your plan at no cost and no obligation to help you determine if your plan is up to date and has plan provisions that are more appealing or attractive to candidates in today’s very competitive job market. Get started!
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Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color
Dive into the findings for yourself and get a bird's-eye view of the JoC community, from experiences with systemic racism to the vibrant and healing ways Jews of Color are connecting with one another and cultivating a beautifully multiracial Judaism. Whether you are seeing yourself reflected in the data as a Jew of Color or listening as an ally, Beyond the Count is a chance for our community to learn and move forward together toward a Jewish community that is for all of us.
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NETWORK AFFINITY GROUPS
Join NJHSA’s Member Agency ONLY affinity groups. There are more than 20 professional groups that meet over Zoom video conferencing where participants have the opportunity to connect, learn, share and support each other. Whether it be to resolve specific agency challenges or define larger Network projects, the affinity groups bring like professionals together on a regular basis.
Contact Lisa Loraine Smith, to learn more about the groups or visit the Affinity & Facebook Groups page in the Members Only section of the NJHSA website.
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Clinical Professionals Affinity Group Highlight
Last week the Clinical Professionals Affinity Group met to discuss Forgiveness. Elaine Rotenberg, PH.D and Clinical Director at Alpert JFS in West Palm Beach, FL presented. Visit the Resource Library to view her presentation.
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Weyerhaeuser Co. - Giving Fund
Focus areas for our giving: (1) AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SHELTER *Support the production and preservation of affordable, efficient and healthy housing, including organizations that provide affordable homes for working families, and organizations providing support that helps homeless families achieve permanent, stable housing. (2) EDUCATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT *Strengthen public schools in Weyerhaeuser operating communities and build relationships to become an effective partner in advancing student learning. Support district-level improvements to teaching and learning that promote student achievement and ensure more students graduate ready for the world of work, advanced learning and life. *Support educational programs and organizations that enhance and enrich learning experiences for youth. (3) ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP *Sustainable Communities: Includes projects that assist in green building efforts, energy efficiency programs, urban park projects *Natural Resources: Includes the protection, conservation and restoration of natural resources, habitats, and non-urban parks, land restoration *Climate Change and Renewable Energy: Includes projects that support climate change and renewable energy efforts *Environmental Education: Includes projects that inspire behaviors of environmental citizenship and stewardship, educate communities on environmental issues, and provide environmental education programs for teachers and students that develop critical thinking skills and improve environmental literacy. (4) HUMAN SERVICES, CIVIC & CULTURAL GROWTH *Support the economic well-being and health of our communities and their most vulnerable residents. *Support programs that serve the basic needs of families, move people toward self-reliance and family sustainability, promote economic development, provide cultural enrichment, and respond to local emergencies or disasters.
Region: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia. Deadline: 30 September 2021. More information
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Working for a Jewish human service agency is a highly rewarding career.
A listing of open positions at member agencies can be found HERE.
Member agencies are welcome to post career opportunities with the Network as a benefit of membership. Positions will be posted for 90 days.
Non-members may post positions for 60 days for a fee. Contact Megan Manelli for more information.
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Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies | networkjhsa.org | 201.977.2400
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