For 150 years, Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS) has focused on a singular, powerful goal - to improve people's lives. Guided by Jewish values, JF&CS cares for people at all stages of life who seek support, guidance, and a purposeful, independent life. We focus on serving particularly vulnerable populations including children and adults with disabilities or mental illness, new mothers and their infants, older adults living with chronic conditions, and people experiencing financial crisis, hunger, or domestic abuse. Is an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) charity organization.
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Services Offered
Children and Adolescents
We provide a unique suite of programs that focus on youth with autism spectrum disorder, mental illness, and related conditions with the goal of improving family life. We also offer support to help children succeed in school socially and academically as well as adoption services and child and family counseling.
Older Adults
Most extensive continuum of services for older adults throughout Greater Boston. We offer comprehensive, compassionate geriatric care to help senior adults live healthy, independent, and meaningful lives.
Programs Include: - Aging and Mental Health Training - Aging Well at Home - Alzheimer's/Related Disorders Family Support - Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Jewish Healing - CJP SeniorDirect - Geriatric Care Management - Your Elder Experts - Guardianship - Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson's Family Support - Schechter Holocaust Services - Suicide Prevention
Community Services
Our programs are designed to strengthen families and support individuals with hope and dignity. Our services are lifelines that help people feed their families, heat their homes, keep roofs over their heads, assist immigrants, and so much more.
Programs Include: - Center for Basic Needs Assistance - Betty Ann Greenbaum Miller Center for Jewish Healing - Journey to Safety - Response to Domestic Abuse - Mental Health Services - New American Services - Nutrition Services - Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson's Family Support
CHAI Services
CHAI Services provide support, strategies, and solutions that strengthen individuals and families, build community connections, and enhance independence. We offer special expertise in addressing the needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities, mental illness, and autism spectrum disorder, while providing services that are inclusive of people with a wide range of strengths and needs.
- Disability Resource Network (DRN) - Adult Family Care (AFC) - Autism Services - Clinical Services - Day Programming and Employment Services - Disability Lifespan Solutions (DLS) - Jewish Life - Residential and Supported Living Programs - Respite and Recreation
Fees and Payment
Please visit or contact our office for insurance and program eligibility inquiries.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual Faith-Based
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
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Qualifying for assistance from Massachusetts' program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Massachusetts' program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.