Jack Nadel Social Services Center

Special Needs

Our Special Needs Center is staffed with professional, highly-qualified individuals who work with Long Island children, teens and adults with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We provide families with access to a range of socialization, respite and inclusion programs such as a summer day camp for high functioning children, a summer vocation program for teens and young adults and year-round social skills groups.

For over 30 years, the JCC has provided the community with services for those with special needs. Our approach is the person-centered model. We work with every child, teen and adult with special needs to reach their fullest potential, both developmentally and interpersonally. An individual assessment is required to determine an appropriate placement. Our staff is comprised of experienced professionals in the field of social work, special education and psychology, who possess a combination of clinical and recreational skills.

Partial funding for these programs is provided by:

• Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
  
• UJA Federation of New York
• J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation
• The Sheldon A. Sinett BASICS Fund of Sid Jacobson JCC
• New York Community Bank Foundation
  
• Rita & Frank Castagna
• North Shore Autism Circle

For programs for high-functioning children, please click here. Programs for children with moderate disabilities can be found here.

S.O.U.R.C.E

Social Skills, Outreach, Understanding, Recreation, Camps andEducation
S.O.U.R.C.E. offers supportive, challenging and creative programs for high functioning individuals. Programs are created to enhance self-image, foster interpersonal relationships and develop individual interests through socialization experiences.

Socialization Groups

Teen Talk
Ages: 13–18
14 sessions
Tuesday, 7:15–9:00pm
Fee $475 / members $375

Wednesday Adult Social Club
Ages: 30+
14 sessions
Wednesday, 7:30–9:30pm
Call for pricing

Thursday Young Adult Social Club
Ages: 18–30
14 sessions
Thursday, 7:15–9:00pm
Fee $25 / members $20 per session

Big Boost!
Ages: 13–18
A socialization program based on the TEACCH method, using visual supports and typical peer buddies. Payment plans available.
28 sessions
Tuesday, 5:30–7:00pm
Thursday, 5:30–7:00pm
Fee $825 / members $725
Pro-rated fee available

Little Boost!
Ages: 7–12
14 sessions
Sunday, 9:00–10:30am
Fee $400 / members $350

RECREATION PROGRAMS

Cartooning
Ages: pre-teens and teens
13 sessions for the year
Thursday, 6:30–7:30pm
Fee $375 / members $275


Kehilla Saturday Mini Day Camp
Ages: 5–17
Reunite with your past camp friends and come join us to make new ones. Participate in sports, art therapy, yoga, tae kwon do, swimming and more in this mini camp experience.
13 sessions for the year
Saturday, 2:30–5:30pm
6 session fee $425 / members $325
13 session fee $625 / members $525

Saturday Night Teen Lounge
Ages: 12–16
13 sessions
Saturday, 7:00–9:00pm
Fee $20 / members $10 per session

Saturday Night Young Adult Lounge
Ages: 17–25
13 sessions
February 18
Saturday, 7:00–9:00pm
Fee $20 / members $10 per session

Sunday RAVE Program
Ages: 5–21
A respite program for children and teens with autism and other special needs who are at a mild to moderate functioning level. Participate in sports, art, cooking and much more.
13 sessions
Sunday, 12:30–4:30pm
Fee $375 / members $275

HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Shooting Stars
A basketball clinic for children, teens and young adults with special needs. Each participant is paired with a typical peer
mentor.
14 sessions for the year
Ages: 5–11, Sunday, 10:40am–11:40pm
Ages: 12–21, Sunday, 11:45am–12:45pm
Fee $54 / members $36

Track and Field
Ages: pre-teens, teens and young adults
Join us for a fun and athletic running program with speed, agility and endurance training.
February 25
13 sessions for the year
Saturday, 2:45–3:45pm
Fee $400 / members $300

Sports Mania
All Ages
Learn sports skills such as soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball.
13 sessions for the year
February 25
Saturday, 4:00–5:00pm
Fee $400 / members $300

Get Fit
Ages: teens and young adults
Participate in aerobic activities while increasing coordination, balance and movement.
13 sessions for the year
February 18
Saturday, 5:30–6:30pm
Fee $425 / members $325

Special Needs Aquatic Program
Ages: 4–10
Come learn to swim! Our program is geared specifically for the high-functioning child with special needs and provides experienced instructors and a low student-to-instructor ratio. Contact Marshall Kurland at ext. 162. For more information, contact the Fitness Welcome Desk at ext. 139.
13 sessions
Fee $500 / members $400
Made possible in part through the Harry & Talia Gross Family Fund.

Grades: K–2
Begins February 26
Sunday, 11:15am–12:00pm & 12:00–12:45pm

Grades: 3–5
Begins February 26
Sunday, 12:45–1:30pm
Begins March 1
Thursday, 5:30–6:15pm

SNAP Swim Team
Ages: 10–17
This program is geared to the high-functioning child who can swim one length of the pool. For more information, contact Fitness Welcome Desk at ext. 139 or Marshall Kurland at ext. 162, mkurland@sjjcc.org.

 

R.A.V.E.
Respite, After-School, Vocational Experience
R.A.V.E. serves children, teens and adults with autism and other cognitive and developmental delays, who are of a moderate functioning level. These programs offer individuals the opportunity to participate in recreational and vocational activities, building social and daily life skills. These programs require OPWDD eligibility.
For more information, contact Director of Respite Services, 516-484-1545, ext. 178.

After-School Respite Program
Ages: 5–21
Monday–Friday, 3:15–5:15pm

Saturday Night Respite Program
Ages: 10–21
February 18

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THE FAMILY DEPOT

Family Depot is geared to meet the wide array of needs which families have when their family member has special needs.  Questions, concerns, information and support are offered through support groups and educational workshops.  

For more information on The Family Depot programs, contact Michelle Laser at ext. 200.

All Aboard
Workshop/lecture series geared to address current issues, trends and life events. For more information, contact Michelle Laser, LCSW. at ext. 200. 

NEW! Grandparent Advocates Supporting Autistic Kids (GASAK)
GASAK is a support, informational and advocacy group of concerned grandparents of autistic children. All adult family members welcomed.
Third Thursday of each month
March 15, April 19, May 17 & June 21
1:00–2:30pm

TRANSITIONS
A Vocational Program for Teens/Young Adults with autism spectrum disorders
Sid Jacobson JCC, in collaboration with Jewish Child Care Association and funded through UJAFederation
is now offering a full multi-service transitional program for students on the autism spectrum. For young adults between the ages of 17–30, this program prepares high functioning individuals for the workforce and provides vocational assessments, matches participants with internships, provides ongoing vocational preparation and support, as well as social opportunities. Participants work approximately ten hours per week for ten months and receive a stipend upon completion of the program. For more information, contact Lisa Warren, LCSW, Special Needs Social Worker at ext. 215.

UPCOMING EVENTS   

iPad Workshop: What is the "Hype" about the iPad for students with Special Needs?
Presented by: Vicki Windman, Special Educator
Thursday, March 1
7:00–8:30pm
Sid Jacobson JCC’s Auditorium
Fee $10



Dee Snider and Friends Jam for Autism Benefit Concert for the Special Needs Center
Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider and his all-star line-up of rock musicians will jam together to support Sid Jacobson JCC programs serving children, teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Please join us to hear big rock hits for a great cause! Proceeds from Dee Snider and Friends Jam for Autism will benefit the Sid Jacobson JCC’s Special Needs Center.
Thursday, April 19, 8:00pm
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
For ticket information, click here.

VACATION PROGRAMS

SPRING RECESS/PASSOVER
Please note: there is no lunch option over the Passover break. All children need to bring a kosher for Passover lunch during these days.  

Monday, April 9
Green Thumbs
Let’s go green at the JCC and plant flowers in honor of earth day!
Fee $80 / members $65

Tuesday, April 10
Crazy Creations
How creative are you? Use your mind, artistic skills and your zany imagination on this awesome day!
Fee $80 / members $65

Wednesday, April 11
Cartooning Day
A cartoonist takes you on a step by step journey, inking your favorite cartoon characters or drawing real world characters by hand.  
Fee $80 / members $65

Thursday, April 12
Disney Day
Movies, games and art projects—everything is Disney for the day. We swim like Nemo, play sports like Air-Bud and race like Lightning McQueen.  
Fee $80 / members $65

 

SATELLITE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

For more information, contact Sharon Hanover at ext. 148.

Herricks After-School Enrichment “Inclusion” Program
In cooperation with the Herricks School District, we offer elementary school-aged children an opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment programs with typical peers.

Garden City Social Skills Program
In cooperation with the Garden City School District, we offer a social skills program held for elementary school-aged special needs children.  

Port Washington
In cooperation with the Port Washington School District, we offer elementary school-aged children an opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment programs with typical peers in an inclusion setting.

SUMMER CAMPS

Kehilla Day Camp
A summer day camp for high-functioning special needs children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, speech and language delays and mood disorders. The camp is located in a beautiful, woodsy setting on the nearby Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds.

Kehilla Kayf at Roundlake
A special needs sleep away camp for high-functioning special needs children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, and mood disorders held through the New Jersey Y's Roundlake Camp in Lake Como, Pennsylvania. 

Kehilla Vocation Experience
A six week vocational program, for high functioning teens and young adults with special needs, who receive placements provided at community job sites to learn basic job skills. Recreational and social skill-building experiences are incorporated. this program is based out of the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds.

NEW! Camp Kehilla at Camp Jacobson
The camp fun continues for one more week! Come join us and participate in a one-week post-Kehilla program held at Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp, our Brookville campus which features swimming pools, playgrounds, sports fields and creative arts.

NEW! Camp R.A.V.E.
We are excited to announce that this year we will be offering a new end-of-summer, one-week "R.A.V.E. Respite Camp" program! This daily camp runs Monday, August 22-Friday, August 26 at Bernice Jacobson Day School & Camp, our Brookville campus. This unique R.A.V.E. Summer Respite Camp provides fun camping activities for children and teens, while offering respite to families at the end of summer before school resumes. This program is funded by OPWDD and may require OPWDD eligibility.

NEW! The Miracle Project, as seen in HBO’s Emmy winning Autism: The Musical is a creative socialization program for campers with autism and other special needs to express themselves through music, dance, acting and writing. Together, campers of all abilities create a dynamic circle of friends as they prepare for an original musical performance!

Offered Monday and Wednesday at Camp Kehilla through the end of camp.

See the trailer for Autism: The Musical here!

For more information on camps, contact Sharon Hanover at ext. 148 or Lisa Warren at ext. 215.

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Michelle Laser, Program Director of Special Needs, 516-484-1545, ext. 200, mlaser@sjjcc.org