Community Resource

Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Central New Jersey

(908) 352-8375
Elizabeth

Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Central New Jersey

The mission of Jewish Family Service of Central NJ (JFSCNJ), a non-sectarian health and social service agency, is to strengthen family life and encourage personal growth by providing specialized quality services to individuals and families in need. The Agency is a licensed mental health outpatient agency and a licensed and accredited home care agency.

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 psychiatrists 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 for 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 referrals, 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 who 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
Employment / Training
Family & Support Services
Health Services
Behavioral / Mental Health
Crisis / Safety
Treatment Services
Outpatient Services
Treatment Setting
  • School
Payment Options
  • Free
  • Self Pay

Last Updated: 04/23/24