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ADOPTION
RELATED SERVICES: Although JFVS
does not handle actual child placement, we conduct home studies
prior to child placement and psychological and social assessments
after placement before the adoption is finalized. These processes
are required by state law in connection with adoptions. JFVS also
assists adoptive parents with fingerprinting and paperwork
involved in the adoption process. Other related services include:
adoption resource groups, birth parent counseling, adoption
consultations and educational seminars. The goal is to provide
information to clients about the procedural, legal, emotional,
cultural and religious issues surrounding adoption.
DEPRESSION/ANXIETY:
JFVS licensed clinical social
workers provide individual, family and couples counseling to
assist people in dealing with feelings and/or issues that are
making it difficult to cope.
LOSS:
JFVS provides bereavement
counseling individually or within groups, for those who have
experienced the loss of a loved one.
DIVORCE/SEPARATION
ISSUES: JFVS helps couples learn
effective ways of communication to deal with parenting and custody
issues more effectively.
CRITICAL
INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING: JFVS
Staff is trained in Critical Incident Debriefing and responds to
the Community's needs in coping with natural and man-made
disasters.
TROUBLED
YOUTH: JFVS provides support at the
Joan Krantz After School SPOT (Support Program of Teens), where
students can "drop in" up to 5 days per week in order to
help them deal with stress, family discord, depression or anxiety.
JFVS therapists work with parents to help sensitize them to cues
of potential violent or self-destructive behavior in their
children. At the Children's Counseling Center, play and expressive
therapy are expertly utilized to help children communicate
feelings they may not be able to articulate.
MENTAL
HEALTH EVALUATIONS: JFVS provides
Mental Health Evaluations to the Middlesex County Family Court for
the youth in the Detention Center.
THERAPEUTIC
ARTS PROGRAMS: Introduced recently at JFVS, our first
successful event incorporated song writing into the older
adolescent group, which serves 16 to 18 year olds. This is a
two-part group run by two musicians who are trained to work with
at-risk populations. The group was facilitated by JFVS staff who
helped the youth utilize the song writing skills as a method of
self expression, a vehicle for self definition and a healthy
strategy for the release of emotion. Because the youth
participated in this event in an environment in which they felt
very safe and supported, the potential of the exercise was
maximized. Other suggested activities are full body tracing for
our 8 to 10 year olds and mask making for 13-14 year olds. Both
activities allow for children to show the therapist their inner
self and emotions without having to put words to it. They are
wonderful ways to use creativity to share themselves with each
other and their therapist. |
