The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services expands child welfare services to Alachua, Baker, Bradford, and Union counties

Press release from Jewish Family & Community Services

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services (JFCS) is expanding its child welfare services to Alachua, Baker, Bradford, and Union counties starting Jan. 1, 2025. Working alongside Partnership for Strong Families (PSF), JFCS case management staff will provide comprehensive case management services to families already involved in the court system and those at risk of entering it due to reported abuse or neglect.

As a pioneer of preventive child welfare, the agency helped more than 4,000 at-risk youth and their families from 2023 to 2024 in Duval and Nassau counties. In its expanded role, JFCS aims to not only reunite families with their children but also intervene early to help parents address life’s challenges. This includes implementing parental training to foster stable home environments, supervising visits to support reunification, and referring families to counseling and psychiatric services. 

“We were brought into this new partnership to bridge the resource gaps that were identified in these communities,” said Colleen Rodriguez, CEO of JFCS. “Our mission is to provide support by working alongside these families to Increase the scope and depth of the services already available. We’re committed to helping them build skills and support systems that will make a lasting impact on their lives.”

JFCS will employ staff who live in the local counties to better understand the needs of the families they serve. This will allow staff to build deeper connections, creating long-term, sustainable change. 

“We are excited to bring JFCS on board to enhance our collective efforts in child welfare,” said Ginger Griffeth, president and CEO of Partnership for Strong Families. “JFCS has demonstrated incredible expertise in this field and has done amazing work in Jacksonville.”

JFCS is committed to building upon the strong foundation of services that Partnership for Strong Families has established in these counties. By enhancing existing programs and introducing new approaches to prevention and intervention, JFCS will make a meaningful impact in the new communities it’s serving

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