Provided/Jewish Family Service Chief Executive Officer Andrea Steinberg, Atlantic City Business Administrator Anthony Swan, Second Baptist Church Representative Ambrose Gray, JFS Senior Director Outpatient Services Naomi Jones, AC Police Department Capt. Rudy Lushina, CRDA Executive Director Sean Pattwell, and Hard Rock Director of Public Relations & Community Affairs Sharon Pearce participate in the ribbon cutting of the enhanced JFS Atlantic City offices.
ATLANTIC CITY - The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties held a ribbon cutting Thursday, June 2 at the JFS's new Atlantic City office, located at 26 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
The ribbon cutting comes after the CRDA awarded JFS a $685,000 three-year grant to support outpatient mental health counseling services for Atlantic City residents in need.
The past two years have been challenging for everyone in their own way, JFS representatives said in a release. In today's environment, the demand for therapy has surged as healthcare workers have been traumatized from caring for COVID-19 patients, political disagreements have people on edge, and families and marriages are in greater distress. Children out of school or learning virtually for extended periods of time has created obvious deficits in education with an unanticipated fallout in development and stressors to their mental health. More people of color are seeking support especially as racial injustice remains at the forefront. Burnout and compassion fatigue is ever present.
JFS is in overdrive to keep up with the requests for counseling and a high demand for qualified therapists. Despite providing 9,003 therapy sessions last year, JFS, along with providers nationwide, have lengthy wait lists. Needs are greater and the stakes are higher.
CRDA proudly supports the efforts of Jewish Family Service in addressing mental health in Atlantic City and surrounding areas, CRDA Executive Director Sean Pattwell said. The multi-year grant will fund much-needed health services, particularly in light of many unmet needs during the pandemic.
In the initial year, JFS will partner with the distinguished Leaders in Training program and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to serve youth as well as property employees who reside in Atlantic City and are seeking mental health assistance. In the subsequent years, JFS will explore additional partnerships that will promote the health, well-being and productivity of Atlantic City residents. Additionally, CRDA funding will provide 163 Atlantic City children, teenagers, adults, families and seniors with outpatient counseling.
Mental health treatment is imperative for many individuals. Last year alone, JFS provided 98 Atlantic City residents with its outpatient counseling services. The programs included youth interventions, functional family therapy and case management services, JFS CEO Andrea Steinberg said. With the CRDA funding, coupled with the Hard Rock partnership, JFS will be able to continue to help residents experiencing mental health challenges.
JFS has dozens of highly-qualified therapists and is expanding counseling hours and continuing tele-health sessions to keep pace with the demand. Currently, JFS provides in-person therapy in the Atlantic City, Margate and Cape May Court House office locations.
Anyone needing counseling is asked to make an appointment by calling the JFS Intake Center at 609-822-1108, ext. 1.
For more information on JFS programs and services, visit www.jfsatlantic.org.
