JSSA Blog
Celebrate Generosity with JSSA and #GivingTuesday
JSSA is joining the #GivingTuesday movement. Our #GivingTuesday fundraising goal this year is $10,000 for our Give-a-Gift campaign. This seasonal program provides families of all faiths with gift cards to purchase what they really need and want for the holidays.
Maryland Works, Inc. Names JSSA “Provider of the Year”
JSSA’s Specialized Employment Services will receive the “Provider of the Year” award from Maryland Works, Inc. on November 7, 2017 at their 10th Annual Employment Awards Luncheon. The award recognizes a nonprofit community service provider that has achieved significant outcomes in the employment of people with disabilities.
JSSA Hospice Social Worker Wins Children’s Book Award
I Have a Question about Death: A Book for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Other Special Needs, co-authored by JSSA Hospice social worker Arlen Gaines, LCSW-C, has been awarded a bronze medal by the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. A clear and concise resource, I Have a Question about Death uses straightforward text and images to help […]
When Enough is Enough: Balancing Your Child’s Extracurriculars
Between sports programs, scout meetings, music lessons, and art classes, our children have fuller schedules than we ever did at their age — and that’s not even including play dates and homework. So why do we keep our kids so busy with extracurriculars? When our children truly love an activity, we want to help nurture […]
My JSSA Story: Irena, A Transitions Client
At 86 years old, Irena* is thoughtful, sharp, and social. A child of Eastern Europe, she can still speak multiple languages yet struggles to converse with the other residents in her facility.
My JSSA Story: Emily, A Specialized Employment Services Client
Emily* was earning money as a dog walker and self-published author when she was referred to JSSA’s Specialized Employment services by DORS. At twenty-nine years old, she was interested in pursuing competitive employment opportunities and needed help with the process.
My JSSA Story: Jason, an Out and About! Participant
Jason*, age 30, describes himself as a bit of a nerd. “I like comics, TV, games, movies, and the internet,” he said. “I also enjoy writing fan-fiction — stories about preexisting characters in preexisting franchises. I’ve written two stories with over a million words. Really need to finish one of them one of these days…”
Our JSSA Story: Mark and Rich, Adoption Options Clients
Most first-time parents anticipate a few surprises and bumps in the road when bringing home a new baby, and Mark and Rich* were no exception. What the couple hadn’t counted on, however, was for the twins they were adopting to be born two months early.
JSSA’s Specialized Employment Partnership with RSV Pools on ABC7
On Monday, September 4th, WJLA-ABC7 featured the new innovative partnership between JSSA and RSV Pools in a televised news story. Working with JSSA’s Specialized Employment services, RSV hired more than 15 teens with autism spectrum disorders as gate guards this summer at their various pools. You can read the complete transcript from ABC7 below or click here […]
Tips for Parents of Teens Entering High School
Adapting to high school isn’t always easy for adolescents, and neither is learning to parent a teenager. Responding to the growth and maturity that teens experience in high school often causes parents to seek new ways to guide and manage their children effectively. Families can help teens entering high school prepare for this exciting but […]