NEW 2021 Domain name

www.hjsn.org

(& www.kjis.com)

are forwarded to

www.houstonjewishspecialneeds.com

same old website = 3-30-2021

(delete old long username @ .org)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Organizations By Name

Informal Bowling - Usually on a Sunday

Parent driven - for social interaction.

This is open to all and is not affiliated with any other group.

In 2011 this changed to: Bowling Buddies a monthly Friendship Circle event that will have volunteers from St. Johns high school to team up with participants.

This is still open to all kids with Special Needs including their SIBLINGS.

1st event was on Sunday 02/13/2011 @ 1:30 pm. (Check a different drop down tag for the next current bowling date.)

RSVP appreciated in order to make sure there are enough volunteers

Location: Palace Lanes - 4191 Bellaire Blvd about half a mile east of 610 freeway on the right.

The "Friendship Circle" extends a helping hand to families who have children and young adults with special needs
and involves them in a full range of Jewish and social experiences at the Chabad Lubavitch Center - Texas Regional Headquarters.

The Jewish Children’s Regional Service (JCRS) is the oldest existing Jewish children’s social services organization in America - providing a financial safety net to vulnerable Jewish youth throughout the south for over 150 years. Through generous supporters like you, JCRS is able to reach out to over 1,000 youth annually with unique programs that are unavailable elsewhere.

Some of these are:
- paid college scholarships, including grants and no-interest loans
- caring services for kids with developmental problems and special needs
- once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience the joy of summer camp

Our Services at a Glance

We are primarily focused helping Jewish children and families with the below programs & services:

Alexander Institute Logo

The JFS Alexander Institute is a resource created to enrich and empower families and caregivers through professional services, education, advocacy, opportunities, referrals and information of the highest quality within a Jewish framework. The Institute is working to develop programs and services that will not only provide answers, but will also endeavor to strengthen and improve the quality of life for individuals with special needs and those who love them.

If you have a loved one, of any age, with developmental or functional disabilities: cognitive, mental, physical, psychological, sensory or other challenges, the professional staff and dedicated volunteers of the JFS Alexander Institute have the knowledge, experience and sensitivity to work with you throughout the complicated process of addressing special needs issues. You are not alone.

In addition to its own services and programs, the Institute is working in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and the Bureau of Jewish Education, Chabad Outreach, the Jewish Community Center, schools, congregations and other agencies and organizations to develop complementary quality special needs services.

Jewish Family Service Alexander Institute services and programs include:

The Basics

Information, resources and referrals
Life planning: understanding the issues and opportunities
Jewish special connections

For Parents and Caregivers

Meaningful programs and events
Support groups
Networking opportunities

For Your Special Family Member

Counseling: individual and group
COMING SOON! www.chaitime4us.org: a safe, secure, monitored online website exclusively for young adults with special needs
Employment services: job counseling, assessment, placement and support
Social activities

We are committed to providing supportive services for members of the Jewish community who have special needs. Your input is important. Please help us in the planning process by completing the Confidential Special Needs Questionnaire.
For more information, please call (713) 667-9336 or Email.

Click Here To Download Our Brochure

Partners Brochure

Click Here To Read Our Community Partners

Take The Confidential Questionnaire

Our skilled professionals work individually with clients to assess their skills and strengths and develop action plans designed to lead them into successful participation in the workplace. Confidentiality is assured.

Services Overview

Preemployment Assistance

Skills assessment
Interest profile

Job Preparation

Interview preparation
Resume building
Accompaniment to interviews

Job Placement

Job matching
Customized job placement

Job Coaching

On the job training
Task breakdown and evaluation
Task accommodation

Job Retainment

Ongoing individual and group support
Ongoing career and life skills

For more information call 713-667-9336

Email This Address

Hiring Employees with Special Needs

"Through our experience, people with disabilities are loyal and steady employees."
—Carole Keeney, Public Information Officer
Houston Community College

JFS Alexander Institute vocational specialists assist employers by matching qualified individuals with appropriate jobs in the community.

Benefits to the employer include:

Competent, productive and loyal employees
Positive impact on co-workers due to increased co-worker morale
Higher than average retention rates
Eligibility for tax credits and tax deductions
Enhanced corporate image
On-going assistance through help with accommodations and co-worker support
Assistance in filling staffing needs
JFS Alexander Institute employment support services at no cost to the employer

For more information call 713-667-9336 or email this address.

Special Needs Programs at the JCC

The JCC offers a varied selection of activities and services designed to meet the social and recreational needs of people with special needs. These groups offer them opportunities to enhance their self-esteem and improve social skills while developing meaningful relationships. Whenever possible we work to integrate participants into ongoing classes and events.

If you are physically impaired and need handicap access to the gym and recreational area, please notify the Membership Office in advance at 713-729-3200 ext. 3220 or email this address.

Club Haver	Adapted Aquatic	TOPSoccer
Gymnastics Super Stars	STARS	Nite Owls

Club Haver (suspended due to lack of attendance)
Club Haver offers services and programs for K-5th grade children with special needs.

Club Haver provides monthly social and Jewish learning events.
In addition, we work to mainstream participants into our children’s program with the assistance of trained staff.
We provide developmentally appropriate social programs and support to children with special needs.
We focus on the whole child and his or her social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.
We believe that parents are our partners. They are included as active members of the program.

All events begin at 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $10

For more information contact Eric Bishop at 713-729-3200 ext. 3230.

Adapted Aquatic - Youth/Teens/Adults

These classes are designed for individuals with special needs who require individualized swim instruction and/or adaptive equipment to be successful in the water. Lessons are customized for each student to teach water safety, functional and recreational swimming skills with the ultimate goal of progressing through the American Red Cross Learn To Swim Levels. Instructor is specifically trained and experienced in working with individual with special needs.

Click here for class schedule

For more information, please contact Tonya Hall at 713-729-3290 ext. 3290.

Gymnastics Super Stars -Special Needs Class 3 - 13 yrs.

Parent and child explore a fun world together in the gym and enjoy an introduction to physical play promoting coordination, balance and strength. Full state-of-the-art gymnastics facility and equipment is utilized. Fantastic way to improve motor skills and even cognitive awareness! Excellent way for children with special needs to join the fun and learn to develop and interact with challenging activities and friends. Non-stop action from one activity to another. Open to the public! Shadow could be required for class participation. Max 10. Inst: Professional Staff

Click here for class schedule

For more information, please contact Leslie Holmes at 713-729-3200 ext. 3250.

TOPSoccer - Sundays • 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

TOPSoccer is a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with disabilities, organized by youth soccer association volunteers. The overall program is designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl, ages 4-19, who has a mental or physical disability. The program is coordinated by Eric Bishop along with soccer Coach Jonathan and VOLUNTEERS.

The program is open to children with special needs who require specific modifications on the game. Participation helps develop general motor skills, soccer-specific skills, social & cognitive skills, as well as teamwork, in a fun and relaxed environment. Each child receive a soccer ball to motivate participation at practices and at home. Trophies will be handed-out at the end of each session. There is a minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 children per class, with at least 2 coaches per group.

Click here for class schedule

For more information or to register, please contact Eric Bishop at 713-729-3200 ext. 3230.

Nite OwlsNite Owls - Wednesdays • 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The Nite Owls is an amazing group started over twenty years ago as a social group for Jewish teens with special needs. The group stayed together over the years and has grown into a special needs group for all adults in the community. There are currently 30 members, some of whom were part of the original teen group. The Owls participate in many activities throughout the year including arts and crafts, athletics, cooking, yoga, Jewish and secular holiday celebrations and, of course, field trips. Field trips include going to an Astros game, hay rides, mini golf, bowling, IMAX movies and much more. The program also allows for families of the group members to interact with each other and form a support network. Through community involvement, the group hopes to decrease the stigma surrounding people with special needs

You do not have to be Jewish to join the group, but you do have to be a member of the JCC. Single adult memberships are available as well as scholarships for those who qualify.

For more information on the Nite Owls contact Eric Bishop at 713-729-3200 ext. 3230.

STARS

STARS Preschool Intervention Program was designed to enable preschool children, with language, social pragmatic and sensory motor challenges, to attain skills required for transition into traditional school settings. Our program provides multi-disciplinary intervention in a highly structured, language based, creative and nurturing environment within a Jewish setting. Families are collaborative partners in the ongoing observation, treatment and education of our students. Children have the unique opportunity to develop communication, play and social skills with typical peer groups at a traditional preschool campus.

(Currently suspended) Yad B' Yad - Inclusive Jewish Day School pilot program for 1 hour and 30 minutes once a week

Are you interested in your child taking part in an "Inclusive Jewish School Program"?

Yad B'Yad - (hand in hand)

Last school year such a program was introduced at Beren Academy every Wednesday from 3 pm till 4:30 pm.

Children over the age of 8 were able to take part in classes and/or group activities with their typical peers.
Being surrounded by fellow Jewish students in a Jewish environment was a great success.
The program is open to all Jewish children irrespective of their degree of observance.

The program also benefited the Beren students who learned to be more accommodating and understanding.

BUT for the program to continue, it needs more participants so PLEASE consider joining - if not weekly then bi-weekly.

Contact: participating parent Mark K, to express your interest in joining this group.