News

What Self-Care Looks Like
What does realistic and sustainable self-care really look like? Explore this idea with thought provoking and simple solutions to help you build a self-care regimen into your daily life.

Why Self-Care is MORE Necessary for Adoptive Parents
Parenting is hard. No matter what, who, where, or when; it is the toughest job you will ever have. All children demand everything from us: they need to be cared for on every single dimension. Being a parent is a huge undertaking!
Parenting adopted children can be even more challenging. Typically adopted children come from hard places and bring baggage along with them. Even more reason to ensure that you make time for self-care every day!

“I Gotchu Son”
JFS ‘Adoption and Foster Care Program is thriving. We work with foster families, pre-adoptive families, children in the child welfare system, and adoptive families. Below is an inspiring story about one success story.

Dear Director: The Attachment Edition
Parenting kids with trauma is tough. You took an oath when you adopted your child that you would parent him forever. Learn about options that can help when you are feeling defeated in your parenting journey.

So Your Child Has Been Diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder?
Disorder or RAD is one end of the spectrum. Try not to get bogged down with hopelessness by this frightening diagnosis. Put your compassion hat on and learn more about how to live with and help your child to heal with RAD.

Examining Attachment
How we connect with others is key to our mental health. Depending on our past experience, we all have a specific type of attachment style. What’s key for all adopted children is that they were separated from their biological parent/s. This bond WAS disrupted. No matter how wonderful you are as a parent, this turmoil always impacts your children’s everyday lives, behaviors, sense of self, ability to manage hard things, to name a few. As adopted parents, we must understand the interaction of early attachment to present day to become the best parent we can possibly be.

Project Lift/Back On Track Annual Report: 2021
Since 2017, through the generosity of our donors, Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg supported some of the most vulnerable members of our community through our Back on Track Initiative and Project Lift.
Back on Track offers emergency financial support to individuals and families who run the risk of “falling through the cracks,” due to short term financial problems. These emergency problems can often be eliminated by a “lift” in the form of a minimal one-time offer of financial support.Project Lift connects individuals and families with JFS services as well as with those provided by other social service organizations. These services can benefit those who may already be in the JFS system as mental health therapy clients but could also benefit from a “lift” of additional social services

Ukraine Crisis: Message from our Director
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Steve Schauder, our Executive Director, shares his wisdom and concrete ways you can help. He answers community member’s questions about the Ukrainian refugee crises and the role JFS can play in such.

Why Summer Camp?
As Covid continues, it becomes more and more crucial to attend to our children’s mental health. All the uncertainties and unknowns have burdened all of us over the past 2 years. Planning a summer full of fun, healing, structure, and with peers and activities that your child prefers is the perfect antidote.