![\"\"](\"http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/jafco_about_585x377.jpg\")
<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22%93}”]
JAFCO\u2019s mission is to provide care, safety and support to children and their families within the Jewish community and beyond who are impacted by abuse, neglect, trauma, or developmental disabilities…giving every child a place to belong.<\/p>\n
JAFCO provides a full continuum of high-quality services including foster care, adoption, family preservation, mentoring, independent living and developmental disability programs. The JAFCO Children\u2019s Village, consisting of an Emergency Shelter and six Group Homes, is one of the most unique and innovative programs in the nation. The JAFCO Children\u2019s Ability Center supports families raising children with developmental disabilities by providing family enrichment, resources, and respite care all within one state-of-the-art center. JAFCO also is providing foster care, adoption, family preservation and support services to families raising a child with a developmental disability in our Philadelphia office.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”40px||0px||false|false” border_color_bottom=”#F06730″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/wHoDD1W_cwQ” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
2023 \u2013 JAFCO Children\u2019s Ability Center
Channel 6 News<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/jmxcmLRUR7E” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
2023 \u2013 JAFCO Children\u2019s Ability Center Justin Kohlhagen
Inside South Florida<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=T6gVtG1xxl4″ image_src=”\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/T6gVtG1xxl4\/hqdefault.jpg” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]
2020 \u2013 JAFCO CAC Tour<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” module_id=”vision” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Vision” module_id=”about-us” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_line_height=”1.6em” background_image=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_1920x200.jpg” background_position=”center_left” title_line_height_tablet=”1.6em” title_line_height_phone=”1.4em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”40px||40px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”67de79a4-4aff-4754-9b98-82e777fc9dd7″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”||20px||false|false” custom_padding=”||50px||false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”5px|2px|5px|2px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|4px|20px|4px|true|true” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#cccccc” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_vision_585x377.jpg” title_text=”jafco_about_vision_585x377″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”9d312539-24a4-4fa1-be14-6266b91c7596″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22%93}”]
JAFCO\u2019s vision is to provide a model child welfare program which can be replicated by other communities around the country providing a full continuum of high-quality family preservation, case management, foster care, adoption, emergency shelter, group home, independent living, therapy, mentoring, family enrichment, and respite services to both typical and special needs children and their families. We believe that the care of children in our community is our responsibility, one we accept with joy, pride and love.<\/p>\n
Our long-range vision is to promote the development of our unique comprehensive services to abused, neglected and special needs children in other Jewish communities around the country \u2014 whether those services are provided by local existing autonomous agencies, or by JAFCO directly.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”67de79a4-4aff-4754-9b98-82e777fc9dd7″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”5px|2px|5px|2px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|4px|20px|4px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”9d312539-24a4-4fa1-be14-6266b91c7596″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22%93}”]
JAFCO believes that the care of our children is a community responsibility.<\/p>\n
We believe that while JAFCO was created to fill an unmet need in the Jewish community, it is our privilege, our pleasure and our responsibility as a Jewish community to offer our quality services to any child and family in need.<\/p>\n
We believe that by recognizing and respecting the signs and symptoms of trauma in our clients and other stakeholders, we can mindfully integrate our commitment to the Trauma Informed Care Model and Person Centered Approach into our policies, procedures, practices and daily interactions.<\/p>\n
We believe that nothing is more tragic than a family torn apart and that providing a child with a familiar cultural and religious environment will assist that child as they heal from the trauma of abuse and neglect and separation from their biological family.<\/p>\n
We believe that communities will respond to the responsibility of caring for abused and neglected and special needs children when appropriately educated as to presence of local children needing their support, and when an organizational framework is established that provides concerned people with opportunities to participate in meeting the needs of such children.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/cac_gardening_760x500-X6Q3Ki.tmp_.jpg” title_text=”cac_gardening_760x500-X6Q3Ki.tmp_” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”9d312539-24a4-4fa1-be14-6266b91c7596″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22%93}”]
We believe that children served by JAFCO should be treated no differently than the traditional way loving \u201cJewish parents\u201d would act toward their biological children, offering them the best life has to offer in all aspects of their social, emotional, physical, educational, cultural and spiritual development.<\/p>\n
We believe that caring for dependent children should not be viewed as charity, but should be viewed as a parent caring for a child \u2014 with joy, pride, love and support\u2026giving every child a place to belong.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” module_id=”history” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”History of JAFCO” module_id=”about-us” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_line_height=”1.6em” background_image=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_1920x200.jpg” background_position=”center_left” title_line_height_tablet=”1.6em” title_line_height_phone=”1.4em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]
by: Shani McManus, Jewish Journal Staff Writer<\/p>[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”40px||40px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”67de79a4-4aff-4754-9b98-82e777fc9dd7″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”5px|2px|5px|2px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|4px|20px|4px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_history_585x377.jpg” title_text=”jafco_about_history_585x377″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”9d312539-24a4-4fa1-be14-6266b91c7596″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22%93}”]
Ronald D. Simon may be just 55 years old, but as President and founder of Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options, also known as JAFCO, he ranks as a true-life pioneer in the child welfare and foster care field. Moreover, the proven success of The JAFCO Children\u2019s Village, located on a five-acre site in Sunrise and providing a wide range of services for more than 350 abused and neglected children, may possibly stand as the model for future state-run foster care programs nationwide.<\/p>\n
Since he grew up with 10 siblings, it is no surprise that Simon, who was born in Philadelphia and moved with his family to Miami Beach at age 13, would devote his life to improving the lives of children. The Delray Beach resident, who married his high school sweetheart, Deni, and is the father of two grown sons, initially became involved in child welfare during the 1980\u2019s\u201a when he headed a national training program, the first such organization to initiate preparation classes for foster parenting.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”9d312539-24a4-4fa1-be14-6266b91c7596″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22%93}”]
Simon earned his doctorate in education in 1982 at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. While still involved in education as president of Alternate Educational Systems, which develops and operates model independent educational programs in the state of Florida, and as headmaster at the Randazzo School in Coconut Creek, his true career is in social services. \u201cA lot of decisions in life happen by chance, without planning,\u201d Simon says. \u201cI felt this was my calling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea for JAFCO grew out of Simon\u2019s\u201a years of work with social services and child welfare, and took root in 1992 when, with the help of Nova staff associates Sarah Franco and Wendy Jenkins (who later became JAFCO founding Executive and Clinical Director), he saw a need. We would come across Jewish kids, and (we) found they were totally separated from the Jewish community, he says. So we decided to form our own agency, and since we were experts in this field, we wanted to create something in the Jewish community that would be significant.<\/p>\n
JAFCO started as a private charity funded by the Simon family, with his uncle, Jack Taylor, putting up the seed money, along with his father, Charlie Simon, and himself. The concept of JAFCO is an original idea and revolutionary, Simon says. Where JAFCO differs is that it is a privately-funded community-based agency. The Jewish community says these kids are really a part of our family. You won\u2019t find this in state welfare; we view them as our kids. It is our hope that the model we created in Florida will become the model for the rest of the country.<\/p>\n
Future plans may include opening JAFCO prototypes in other communities around the country one day. A current project will expand JAFCO services to include a campus to help developmentally disabled children and their families. Simon is grateful to the Jewish community for making his dream come true. \u201cWithout Ron Simon, JAFCO would never exist\u201d, says Sarah Franco, JAFCO Executive Director. \u201cHe is one of the most caring and intelligent human beings I know and thankfully his love for children has spread throughout our JAFCO family.\u201d<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” module_id=”heritage” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Preserving Our Jewish Heritage” module_id=”about-us” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_line_height=”1.6em” background_image=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_1920x200.jpg” background_position=”center_left” title_line_height_tablet=”1.6em” title_line_height_phone=”1.4em” title_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”80px||80px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”40px||40px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”40px||40px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”67de79a4-4aff-4754-9b98-82e777fc9dd7″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding_tablet=”5px|2px|5px|2px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”20px|4px|20px|4px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/75.103.67.20\/~jafco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/jafco_about_heritage_585x377.jpg” title_text=”jafco_about_heritage_585x377″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22%93}”]
Nothing is more tragic than a family torn apart. When a child is removed from his family, he leaves behind what he has known and takes with him his fears, anger, hurt and insecurities. We believe that we can provide one less obstacle in the healing process by providing a child with a familiar cultural and religious environment. We believe every child deserve a safe and loving home.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1992 by the Simon Family, JAFCO was created to ensure that Jewish children who were being removed from their home due to abuse or neglect and in one moment lose everything that is important to them, their home, their family, their pets, their friends, would at least be able to take with them the one piece of their identity that comes from their connection with their Jewish heritage.\u00a0<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.7em” link_font=”Open Sans||||on||||” link_text_color=”#95222b” locked=”off” inline_fonts=”Open Sans,Open Sans Condensed” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-309ef043-f1f3-4a2b-adc1-c42e9a1993fe%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22,%22text_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22%93}”]
Prior to the creation of JAFCO the Jewish community had not taken any action to care for these children who ended up lost in a large state foster care system that was not able to maintain their Jewish identity. While JAFCO was created specifically to meet an unmet need in the Jewish community, it is the Jewish tradition to take care of any child in need and respect their culture and religion as well.<\/p>\n
The JAFCO Jewish Children\u2019s Village and the JAFCO Foster Care and Adoption Program are the placement options for a child whose family is unable to care for them.<\/p>\n
At the JAFCO Jewish Children\u2019s Village, we teach the children about the beauty of Judaism by\u2026<\/p>\n
Yes. In 2014, JAFCO opened the Children\u2019s Ability Center which provides family enrichment, support, and respite for children with all developmental disabilities including Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy and Prader Willi. We support families who are raising a child with a disability ages birth through 22 with support groups, case management, education, training, social and life skills training and clubs for the children, summer camp and day and overnight respite, also known as Incredible Social Experience. Naming opportunities in honor or memory of a loved one are still available for those wishing to donate to the Center and name a room or building.<\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What does JAFCO stand for?” toggle_icon=”5||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]
JAFCO stands for Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options.<\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How does JAFCO hear about the children?” toggle_icon=”5||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]
JAFCO can help a family in one of two ways: either voluntarily with the request of the parent or guardian or if ordered by the court; referrals are made by the state, schools, grandparents, rabbis, therapists, teachers, neighbors, family members and by parents themselves who are seeking help.<\/p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”I know someone who is interested in adopting a child? Can you help them? What about a baby?” toggle_icon=”5||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]