Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey (JFS) is a nonprofit, non-sectarian, social services agency, with offices in Elizabeth and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. JFS staff provides an array of specialized services for individuals, families and children and works to strengthen family life and encourage personal growth by providing quality social and health services to individuals and families in need.

JFS is licensed as an outpatient mental health agency, adoption agency, childcare provider, and home care agency. Each year JFS helps over 6,000 individuals, from children ot older adults in Union and parts of Somerset Counties. We serve people of every social, economic, race, ethnicity, religious background, and sexual orientation.

The Wilf Center for Family and Children Services offers a program of services to strengthen the lives of individuals, couples, children, adolescents, and families. Through multiple coordinated programs, our caring professional staff brings a variety of expertise to assist clients in improving their lives.

Individual, Couple and Family Counseling 
JFS is a NJ state licensed Outpatient Mental Health Center and our NJ State Licensed clinical staff specializes in facilitating the successful resolution of individual, couples, children and family problems. Stress and conflict are a part of life, and there are times when professional counseling is needed to provide help with these concerns. These challenges may include depression and anxiety, marital and partnership conflict, extended family issues and parent and child problems. Our caring staff has a broad range of expertise and will focus on your strengths to help you gain the insight and skills to better cope with life.

Domestic Violence Counseling
JFS is committed to addressing family violence through our Domestic Violence Program. Our services include counseling for victims and their children, emergency shelter, assistance with safety planning and concrete needs, advocacy, and referral for legal support. We also provide counseling to address teen dating violence.

School Based Services
We provide onsite consultation to teachers and administrators in both private and public schools. We partner with the Linden Board of Education to provide an after school academic and enrichment program in an elementary school.

Children's Counseling
Our licensed social workers and consulting child psychiatrist are experienced in working with children, adolescents and families to seek solutions, nurture growth and help restore family balance. In a warm, trusting environment, the emphasis is on early intervention with solution-focused techniques. Through a team effort, parents and clinicians work together to maximize the strengths of the family and to develop the parents' ability to nurture and provide personal growth opportunities for their children. Services include play therapy, family therapy, consultation, and education to teachers, school administrators, and physicians.

Adoption Services
If you are thinking about adoption, the professional experts in the JFS NJ State Certified Adoption Department can educate and support you in making your decision and help in the creation of your adoption plan. We provide personalized, comprehensive services including the preparation of home study and post-placement supervision reports for both domestic and international adoption placements and collaboration with placement agencies. Additionally, our compassionate professional staff provides pre and post adoption counseling services to children and their families.

Career Development
Together We Can: An Economic Response Initiative:

• Today's economic crisis has created extreme hardship for many in our community, who are unemployed, underemployed or fear losing their jobs. Our program provides special help with job search, reducing stress and coping with reduced financial circumstances. We provide weekly job seeker support groups, monthly job seeker forums and individual appointments for counseling, resume review, interview preparation and job search skills.

Food Pantry
We provide a monthly non-perishable food package to eligible individuals and families living in Union County.

Grandparent as Parent Program
The Grandparent as Parent (GAP) Program at JFS is offered to Union County residents over the age of 55 who have legal and residential custody of their grandchildren. GAP helps grandparents with information and referral, mental health assessments and counseling services to grandparents and their grandchildren.

Support Coordination

The Supports Program provides care management for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities that are 21 years of age and older living with their families. Provides enrollees with service linkage and the ability to make their own choices and direct their own services.

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Accepts Donations of Goods Financial Counseling / Literacy Food Pantry / Soup Kitchen Employment / Training Job Training Family & Support Services Adoption / Foster Care Caregiving LGBTQ Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Family Conflict & Distress Teen Issues Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Counseling / Therapy, Family Counseling / Therapy, Individual Play Therapy Treatment Setting School
Payment Options	Free Self Pay

Last Updated: 06/22/23