ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Together We Rise: CARING FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
Dear Friend, For more than a century, JSSA has helped individuals and families through their most vulnerable moments with warmth and acceptance. As a trusted health and social wellness agency serving the National Capital Region, adapting to meet our neighbors’ changing needs is part of our DNA. This year, new challenges impacted our nation, our region, and our agency. Many federal programs created to ease pandemic-related difficulties ended in 2023, leaving gaps in access to critical services. Demand for mental health support remained at peak levels. And changing labor market trends, including retirements of Baby Boomers and shifts in the chosen professions of younger workers propelled agencies like JSSA to find creative ways to expand the workforce that provides essential services. JSSA rose to meet these changing realities in ways big and small. Together with the generous partnership of our supporters, we developed creative approaches to meet ongoing and acute demand, provide our signature level of compassionate and excellent community care, and enhance JSSA’s impact. We pursued new ways to attract and retain the highest quality professionals to serve our clients, including preparing a new generation of caring and skilled professionals through our Training Institute. We welcomed our largest ever class of social work interns, many of whom were later hired as JSSA professionals. We created new chaplain-run spiritual care support groups to complement our clinical services. And we launched a scholarship program to offer additional education and professional growth for our dedicated staff. This year, JSSA advanced toward our strategic goal of sustainable growth and broader geographic impact.
We developed creative approaches to meet ongoing and acute demand, provided our signature level of compassionate and excellent community care, and enhanced JSSA’s impact.
We earned gold standard accreditation from the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), which qualifies JSSA to receive higher reimbursement rates and positions our agency to serve more geographic locations. JSSA also grew our ability to serve the diverse needs of our community by further expanding our commitment to cultural sensitivity. This year, we created new senior roles focused on inclusion and Jewish engagement. And in our second annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion survey, nearly 90% of JSSA professionals agreed JSSA made significant progress in creating an equitable and inclusive environment for our staff and clients.
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JSSA’ s pragmatic and creative responses to evolving national and local challenges ensured top-level care for our community this year. In this report, you will find highlights and achievements from JSSA’s four major services: l Supporting our neighbors’ mental health l Helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs l Caring for older adults so they can safely age at home l Offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients
Thank you for being a friend and partner in all that we do. Your generosity is what allows JSSA to be ready to help when a neighbor needs support. Together, we are making long-term investments to meet the evolving needs of our community. And together, we are strengthening our neighbors’ ability to thrive in health and wellness. In gratitude,
Ruth Ruskin
Todd Schenk
JSSA Board President
Chief Executive Officer, JSSA
3 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Mental Health and Well-Being
JSSA
supports and treats the mental health of people of all ages as they pursue health and well-being. The demand for access to quality mental health services continued to rise in our region and throughout our country this year. Children, teens, and adults struggled with post-pandemic challenges and faced an increasingly polarized and stressful social environment. At the same time, social stigma for mental health care began to decline, and more people sought care to support their mental well-being. JSSA’s team of top-quality clinical social workers, therapists, coordinators, and chaplains rose to meet the growing need for care with compassion and excellence. We continued to break down barriers to access for neighbors seeking mental health care. JSSA’ s participation as an in-network provider with most major insurance companies helped make affordable and quality treatment accessible to neighbors, and philanthropic support expanded our ability to meet community needs. We also embedded clinicians in dozens of public and private schools, introduced new individuals to mental health support through creative mental, emotional, and spiritual health and community programs, and grew partnerships to connect more people to care.
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2023 AT A GLANCE JSSA delivered mental health
services to 2,405 individuals, including 1,219 children and adolescents. JSSA provided mental health support to
621 children and adolescents through school-based programs in Montgomery County, MD and Fairfax County, VA.
JSSA chaplains provided spiritual care to 2,774 neighbors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals.
JSSA connected 1,140 callers to the J-CARING line for critical care and resources. JSSA helped 53 neighbors secure critical benefits through our
Community Care Navigation program.
JSSA’s Mental Health Services: l Therapy and
Counseling
l Workshops and
Groups
l Psychiatry l Psychological Testing l Divorce Support l Suicide Prevention
100%
of families were satisfied with the quality of services received through JSSA’s Wraparound Montgomery program.
and Support
l Chaplaincy and
Spiritual Care
l Care Management l Youth Services l J-CARING
Community Support Line
5 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Mental Health and Well-Being
Empowering our Youth The COVID pandemic-related mental health crisis – especially acute among school-aged youth – continued to cast a shadow this year. JSSA expanded quality and affordable mental health services through partnerships with local government programs and public schools. This integrated community-based approach made essential mental health supports accessible to more children and families, reduced stigma and the burden on parents to identify and reach providers, and helped young people build a positive understanding of the critical role of mental health for overall well-being. l In 2023, JSSA delivered school-based mental and behavioral health
services to more young people in Maryland and Virginia. In Montgomery County, MD, JSSA’s MindCraft program continued to expand in-school counseling services for children in 39 elementary and middle schools. In 2023, a new online platform enhanced the user experience for families seeking services through the MindCraft program. And JSSA’s new status as a CARF licensed outpatient provider improved financial reimbursement and positioned JSSA to credential staff quickly and expand our workforce to serve more neighbors.
Client Spotlight: Caring through Teamwork Marellena,* an 18-year-old high school graduate, is a bright, engaging photographer and writer and an accomplished Girl Scout. After three hospitalizations for suicidal ideation and a residential treatment, Marellena struggled to transition back to school. Her Wraparound care team supported her consistent participation in therapy and her overall emotional wellness. Marellena was determined to attend college in the fall, so her support team met her at the local library to help her complete college applications and apply for scholarships. Marellena met her goal and was accepted into her college of choice.
l This year, JSSA’s Wraparound Montgomery program provided support
services to 56 K-12 students who faced multifaceted mental and behavioral health challenges. Each child or teen was enveloped in care by their personal team of a case manager, counselor, school administrators, teachers, and family members. These critical allies worked in concert to help youth establish healthy relationships, achieve individual mental health goals, and succeed in and out of school. 85% of youth successfully graduated from the program after meeting some or all of their goals.
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*Names have been changed
l Through a partnership with the Healthy Minds Fairfax program, JSSA provided school-based services and clinical “wraparound” support for
57 young people between the ages of 16-25. Participants in JSSA’ s Transition Age Youth (TAY) program received 3-6 months of guided support and access to mental health, employment services, and community resources. Clients referred by Fairfax Public Schools, the Community Service Board, and community partners established and worked toward independent living goals as they navigated the transition from youth services to the adult healthcare system. l The second annual cohort of JSSA’s Healthy Minds Fairfax Youth Advisory Council included 50% more young people than last year. The
youth-led group worked with local government to improve mental health policy, services, and outcomes for young people ages 14-22. Council members were nominated by educators, juvenile court representatives, or religious leaders in recognition of their resilience in the face of homelessness, educational challenges, and significant mental health needs. In 2023, the Council helped participants identify and build upon their strengths and learn to self-advocate at decision-making tables. The Council: l Hosted four free panel discussions featuring youth speaking to clinicians about their lived experiences on topics including, “What Helps and
What Harms in Working with Transitional Age Youth” and “Moving Beyond Acceptance with LGBTQ Clients and How to Be an Affirming Provider.” l Curated an art gallery of pieces created by young Northern
Virginia artists. The exhibition was visited by 40 community members at an opening in Fairfax.
Community Crisis Response JSSA’s compassionate and skilled crisis response professionals nurtured the resilience and well-being of neighbors at our broad family of partner schools, organizations, and institutions. In 2023, several Jewish institutions in the National Capital Region experienced untimely deaths and illnesses of beloved members and staff, and JSSA was there to support impacted individuals and families. Regional organizations relied on JSSA as an access point and community mental health resource to guide them through challenging situations.
7 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Mental Health and Well-Being
Opening Doors to Greater Health and Well-Being The J-Caring Community Support Line, launched during the pandemic, expanded in 2023 to serve as the “front door” for JSSA’s new Community Care Navigation service. These initiatives represent a partnership between JSSA, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, and our extensive network of human service partners. Compassionate professionals who staff the J-Caring support line assessed each caller’s situation and determined if their needs could be met during the call or with a referral to services. The free Community Care Navigation service provided hands-on assistance and access to community resources to help with more complex challenges, including food insecurity, housing instability, job training and placement, and mental health services.
Client Spotlight: Dignity for Aging Loved Ones When her daughter called the J-Caring line, Cindy* was retired and living independently, although her financial resources were limited, and she was experiencing symptoms of early-stage memory loss and dementia. Her daughter accessed JSSA’ s Community Care Navigation Program to apply for financial assistance for Cindy’s past-due electric, gas, and water bills. JSSA’s care navigator also helped secure funding and reinstate her SNAP benefits. JSSA helped Cindy attend social events at the Kensington Club at White Oak Senior Center, a program of the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) for adults with memory loss. Her daughter reports that Cindy loves attending the meaningful and stimulating activities every Wednesday.
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JSSA’s team of top-quality clinical social workers, therapists, coordinators, and chaplains rose to meet the growing need for care with compassion and excellence.
9 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Employment Services
JSSA
helps adults with disabilities secure meaningful employment to build financial independence and social and emotional fulfillment. Our team focuses on individual strengths, interests, and skills to match people with the right jobs and prepare them for workplace success. JSSA’s jobs and skills training services, train-to-hire programs, and on-site job coaching helped neighbors with disabilities achieve job success and self-sufficiency. Employment specialists worked with jobseekers and their families to discover where their abilities and interests overlap and provided training to help individuals with disabilities become indispensable to their employers. JSSA presented qualified potential hires for hard-to-fill positions available at more than 300 employer partners, from restaurants to gyms, biotech labs, and I.T. facilities. More than 80% of JSSA’ s employment services clients remained in their jobs after six months, a retention rate far above the national average for non-disabled employees. To help meet the acute workforce needs of the National Capital Region, expand our services into D.C., and plan for further growth into Virginia, JSSA grew our disability employment services team in 2023. JSSA’s new CARF accreditation positions us to continue the geographic expansion of critical employment services into more regional neighborhoods and welcome four new employment services team members. We also expanded partnerships with businesses, organizations, and government offices to help address the lingering impact of disproportionate pandemic-related job loss among individuals with disabilities.
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2023 AT A GLANCE JSSA provided
employment services to 243 individuals with disabilities.
80%
JSSA helped neighbors with disabilities achieve an
job retention rate after six months.
JSSA’s Employment Services: l Career Assessment l Job and Skills
JSSA empowered
JSSA formed partnerships with
75% of jobseekers to secure job interviews or begin training programs at companies.
28 new companies, expanding JSSA’s reach to
300 corporate employment partners.
Training l Finding a Job l On-the-job Coaching and Retention l Socialization Support l Employer Education
JSSA placed 53 jobseekers in meaningful jobs, and helped 32% secure
full-time jobs.
11 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Employment Services
Bringing JSSA Services into More Neighborhoods In October of 2022, JSSA hosted 30 D.C. employers and community and government leaders at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in Washington, D.C., to highlight disability employment as a solution for workforce shortages. The successful event launched JSSA’ s expansion of our employer partnerships into D.C.
Partner Spotlight: Valuing Every Single Person Thomas Penny, President of Donohoe Hospitality, a new JSSA D.C. employer partner, said at the MLK Library: “The unique value of [employees with disabilities] helps us recognize the human potential and humanity that every single person can offer. … When we consciously create an inclusive workplace, we demonstrate what it is to be human, to be civil, to be kind, to be engaged, to be empathetic, and to be connected.”
Client Spotlight: Discovering Renewed Strength and Meaning After Sofia* lost both legs in a tragic car accident, she was determined to recover her independence and return to work as a teacher. A longtime JSSA professional who helps individuals with disabilities find meaningful employment helped Sofia secure a parttime position as a teacher’s assistant at Kids After Hours in Montgomery County. Her supervisor said: “Even in the short time she’s been here, she’s overcome some obstacles. … I’m very proud of her.” Sofia emphasized that she is “determined to continue living her life with strength and energy,” and to help others do the same. *Names have been changed 12
More than 80% of JSSA’s employment services clients remained in their jobs after six months, a retention rate far above the national average for non-disabled employees.
13 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Aging in Place, Holocaust Survivor Program, and Homecare
JSSA’s
experienced care managers and caregivers empower older adults to safely and independently age in their
own homes.
Our compassionate care is especially critical for neighbors who survived the Holocaust and rebuilt their lives here in the National Capital Region. And JSSA helps neighbors of all ages and their families navigate the complex physical, social, and emotional challenges of aging, injury, or surgery with home-based care and support services. This year, the needs of our older neighbors continued to grow as COVID-era support programs concluded, and aging Holocaust survivors’ requirements for care became more acute. JSSA met the moment by increasing our levels of critical supports to nurture the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of our older neighbors. The 385 men and women in JSSA’s care who survived the Holocaust are among our region’s most resilient older adults, having survived war, deprivation, and upheaval. They are now in their 80’s and 90’s and most live with limited financial resources. In 2023, JSSA continued to ensure their dignity and wellbeing. Our multi-lingual care managers coordinated homecare and provided comprehensive services to help Holocaust Survivor Program clients avoid further dislocation to nursing homes. JSSA’s critical homecare services continue to be an essential way that JSSA clients receive integrated care and seamless access to all of JSSA’s services and programs. JSSA’s skilled and compassionate homecare professionals work with clients across JSSA program areas, including our Holocaust Survivor Program, Hospice, and Aging in Place services. This year, we bolstered caregiver training to ensure JSSA’s staff continued to provide quality support that empowered our neighbors to live at home, independently, and with dignity even while navigating complex needs.
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2023 AT A GLANCE Aging in Place l JSSA supported 5,094 individuals with Aging in Place services and programs. l The joint Bender JCC-JSSA Coming of Age program provided 1,165 older adults with
socialization opportunities, theater and museum excursions, and an annual health fair. l JSSA coordinated care for nearly 600 older adults, including:
u 385 who survived the Holocaust. u 90% of clients remained safely in their homes and avoided moving to a senior
care facility. l Brenner Transportation escorted 220 older adults to and from medical
appointments with 909 door-through-door rides, reducing missed appointments and lowering E.R. visits and hospitalizations.
JSSA’s Aging in Place Services: l Care Management
and Elder Care Consultations
l Brenner Escorted
Transportation
l Nutritious Meals l Staying Social l Holocaust Survivor
Support Program
l Himmelfarb Mobile
University
l Chaplaincy and Spiritual
Care
l Meals on Wheels provided 110 older adults with 21,126 nourishing, home-delivered
meals. l JSSA’s Himmelfarb Mobile University provided 72 individuals with engaging online
classes and opportunities for socialization, fitness, and mental stimulation from the safety and comfort of their homes. l A joint JSSA-Adas Israel Congregation Fellowship provided 45 older adults with
more than 2,300 nutritious kosher lunches, exercise, Jewish studies, art programs, and support and referrals from an on-site JSSA care manager. 15 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Aging in Place, Holocaust Survivor Program, and Homecare
2023 AT A GLANCE Holocaust Survivor Program l JSSA arranged for 143 Holocaust
survivors to receive no-cost dental services in partnership with 57 local dentists and the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program. l JSSA helped 74 clients receive
pro bono optical care and audiology services. l JSSA prepared and delivered 612 care
packages and Jewish holiday gift baskets for older neighbors and members of the Holocaust Survivor Program.
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In Their Own Words: Care Rooted in Caring “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything JSSA is doing for my mother. The staff ’s kindness has truly touched my mother’s life in a meaningful way. They are a blessing for Holocaust survivors like my mother.” — Rachel*, daughter of a Holocaust Survivor Program participant
“I am eternally grateful to you for the great work and excellent results you provided for my dental care. This significantly improves my health and changes the quality of my life. In your office, I encountered attentive, high-quality treatment, kind hearts, and magic hands.” — Rosa*, 92-year-old survivor of the Holocaust
“It was a great pleasure to receive a Pesach basket from you. Especially now, when times are so hard, you set an example of kindness, sympathy, and a strong desire to help those who need it. We came from Russia 13 years ago and left many relatives and friends behind, so it is very important for us to feel your wish to bring warmth and light to our home.” — Svetlana*, recipient of JSSA Aging in Place holiday basket
*Names have been changed
17 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Aging in Place, Holocaust Survivor Program, and Homecare
2023 AT A GLANCE Homecare
JSSA’s Homecare Services:
l JSSA provided 151,000 total caregiving hours to
l Activities of Daily
115 Homecare clients. l JSSA and Partners in Care coordinated home health care, physical and
occupational therapy, mental health services, and advanced care planning for 83 residents of Homecrest House, Springvale Terrace Independent Living, and Chesterbrook. l JSSA Homecare clients were more than 90% satisfied with
JSSA caregivers and communications from their providers. l JSSA was named an Employer of Choice in 2023 by Home Care Pulse —
our 7th year receiving this distinction. l 9 out of 10 JSSA Homecare professionals would recommend
JSSA as a workplace. l Over 90% of JSSA Homecare caregivers were satisfied with JSSA training,
office support, and client-caregiver compatibility matching.
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Living
l Nurse Assessment
and Supervision
l Medication
Management
l Personal Care and
Hygiene Needs
l Homemaking
Services
l Companionship
Philanthropy Spotlight: Helping Caregivers Pursue Professional Growth Joy Ellen Lerner was a beloved mother and daughter, a respected operating room nurse, a dedicated scholar, a devoted friend, and a joyful traveler. After Joy died in April 2022 from complications of metastatic breast cancer, her parents, Dianne and Herbert Lerner, created The Joy Ellen Lerner Fund for Clinical Excellence to honor Joy’s memory and advance the professional development of JSSA’s hospice and homecare staff. The Fund empowers hospice registered nurses (RNs) to pursue a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certificate and homecare certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to train to become Certified Medication Technicians. “Our daughter was a caregiver, and she was also involved in education at Shady Grove Hospital and Suburban Hospital. She was an operating room nurse for most of her career, and she taught, did research, and mentored. She believed in helping other caregivers grow and care for others,” said Herbert Lerner.
“Joy Ellen graduated with honors from the University of Maryland School of Nursing while supporting her three kids at home,” said Dianne. “When she set her mind to do something, there was no question she was going to get it done.” Joy Ellen’s perseverance, empathy, and investment in others exemplify JSSA’s mission to provide excellent hospice care. The additional expertlevel training for JSSA’ s nurses and nurses’ aides provided by The Joy Ellen Lerner Fund strengthens JSSA’s capacity to deliver highly skilled and compassionate care to our patients and their families. “She would have been thrilled to know that we were setting up this type of fund in her memory,” said Herb.
The Lerners’ meaningful gift is not only a tribute to their accomplished and cherished daughter, but also an investment in the continued excellence of JSSA homecare and hospice professionals, like those who cared for Joy during her illness and final months. “The care that our daughter got from JSSA was so wonderful,” said Dianne Lerner. The Lerners’ generosity funds advanced education and promotes career advancement and retention of JSSA’s talented hospice and homecare staff.
19 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Aging in Place, Holocaust Survivor Program, and Homecare
Chaplaincy: Expanding Spiritual Care This year, JSSA meaningfully expanded our chaplaincy services. Ten ordained members of the Jewish clergy with specialized training in addressing psychosocial spiritual needs served 2,744 neighbors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. We responded to emerging community needs by creating two bereavement care support groups that met in local synagogues to ensure the comfort of familiar settings. Based on the success of this pilot, JSSA is seeking to expand this chaplaincy support model to address other issues community members are facing.
Nourishing our Neighbors In 2023, JSSA expanded our Meals on Wheels program to provide older adults with nourishing, home-delivered meals. To further combat food insecurity and meet essential emergency needs, we launched a new partnership with KAVOD Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund (SHEF), an initiative that provides matching grants to help meet the urgent needs of adults who survived the Holocaust. Holocaust survivors with limited financial resources can access these funds for dental, vision, and medical care and supplies; emergency homecare, transportation, and home services, including utilities, repairs, and rent support; and gift cards for local food providers or pharmacies.
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In Their Own Words: Care Rooted in Caring “My 89-year-old mother is a Holocaust survivor. She was only six years old when the Germans started bombing her hometown, Odessa, on June 22, 1941. That was the day her journey for survival began. She hid from the Nazis for four years and faced horror, pain, and suffering. Before the war, my mom was part of a large family with many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Tragically, all of them were captured and killed by the Nazis. Only my mother and her three siblings survived, but the deprivations of her childhood ruined her health and had life-long implications. For most of my life, my mother refused to talk about this horrible time. It was only when her dementia began progressing that she started reliving and sharing the chilling stories of her survival. Today, the only gift I can offer my mother is to help her continue living in the comfort of her own home and ensure she does not face any more loss, pain, or suffering. I could not achieve that gift without JSSA’ s support. The wonderful and caring people of JSSA have become our family. Over the years, JSSA’s generous and thoughtful caretakers have provided my mother with wonderful support that has truly made a difference in her life. I am deeply appreciative of JSSA’s kindness and compassion and forever indebted for the services and down-to-earth care provided by JSSA’s professionals, the volunteers who take her to doctors’ appointments, the state-of-the-art hearing aid she received at no cost, and the many other supports that allow my mother to remain safely and comfortably at home.” — Olga*, daughter of a JSSA Aging in Place client
*Names have been changed
21 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Hospice
JSSA
ensures hospice patients experience comfort, respect, and dignity in their final stage of life.
Empowering individuals and families to experience quality of life, even during their hardest moments, is an essential component of our commitment to serve our neighbors. This year, pandemic-related delays in care meant patients arrived in hospice with more advanced and complex needs. And JSSA supported the physical, emotional, and practical end-of-life needs of our hospice clients and their families with compassion and cultural sensitivity. JSSA bolstered the professional skillsets and models of care that allow us to support patients with very complex needs in their homes. Through our range of hospice, transitions, and bereavement services, we supported neighbors with terminal illness or confronting end of life questions and those experiencing grief following the death of a loved one. JSSA’ s nurses, social workers, and chaplains rose to meet families’ and patients’ increased needs with more frequent patient visits and a deep commitment to empathy, dignity, and respect. Our steady presence helped our neighbors and their loved ones experience quality of life even during their most difficult moments.
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2023 AT A GLANCE JSSA cared for 961 hospice patients, 182 transitions patients, and 1,570 bereaved individuals.
JSSA’s Hospice services: l 24/7 medical oversight
JSSA hospice professionals visited patients and their families
10,000 times.
l Emotional and spiritual
support and counseling
l Nutritional guidance l Pain management and
JSSA volunteers spent 1,930 hours with hospice patients.
JSSA honored 11 veterans through the national “We Honor Veterans” hospice program.
symptom control
l Provision of
medications, medical supplies, and durable medical equipment
l Assistance with personal
care needs
l Visits by trained
4l 4l 4l 4l 4l 4l 4l 4l 4l 4 l JSSA Hospice received a10 out of 10 rating on the Hospice Care Index.
volunteers providing massage and music therapy as well as pet visits
l Caregiver Support l Bereavement Support
23 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Hospice At Home: Low-Tech, High Touch Compassion JSSA’ s Continuous Care hospice program served patients with the most acute needs this year. Continuous Homecare professionals provided eight to 24 hours each day of very high-level nursing and support services to patients with the highest intensity needs in the comfort of a patient’s home environment. JSSA hospice nurses administered medications and monitored patients using a “low-tech, high touch” approach to assure patients their physical comforts, cultural traditions, and presence of loved ones in the final days of life.
A Gift of Time and Care JSSA’ s dedicated volunteers brought warmth and sensitivity to hospice patients and their families. In 2023, volunteers spent 1,930 hours with hospice patients: Musicians played requested songs, pet owners shared their dogs and bunnies to provide joy, and one volunteer skillfully cut and arranged flowers for hospice patients, which were donated every week by Trader Joes. The gift of our volunteers’ time and expertise allowed JSSA to provide even more services and high-quality care to our neighbors in their toughest moments.
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Honoring Veterans, Celebrating Stories In partnership with the national “We Honor Veterans” hospice program, JSSA celebrated 11 veterans with a ceremony to share their stories of service. During these gatherings, family members and friends demonstrated gratitude for their loved one, and veterans experienced the pomp and circumstance of their military days – complete with an official pinning ceremony and music representing their specific service branch – to remind them of the meaning and purpose of their service. This phenomenal program helps JSSA caregivers honor the enduring value of their patients’ bravery and commitment in their final days of life.
In Their Own Words: Comfort and Sensitivity in the Most Difficult Moments “On behalf of my family and myself, I’d like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude for all the staff and volunteers of the care team who supported Irving* during his time at home on hospice care. I especially appreciate the extra support given to me to fill in with the care I wasn’t physically able to do. The entire care team made Irving’s last days at home happier and more comfortable. For all these things and more, we are very grateful and appreciative.” “Once again, our family needed to call on JSSA for support for our family, and once again, JSSA was there for us. In April, Carole’s stepfather had deteriorated to the point of needing hospice care. Of course, JSSA responded. As one who feels a connection to JSSA and an awareness of its important role in the community, I’m not surprised. Our stepfather passed yesterday and JSSA was there for us throughout a trying week and final day. Thanks to all those at JSSA who support families in our community.” “As you know, my dear mom passed away on Monday, and besides the deep sorrow and emotional stress we are feeling, we are also faced with providing my dad the care he requires and deserves. He is in JSSA’s hospice program, but we are determined to keep him in his home. We appreciate your efforts to support not just your patients, but their families. My dad’s case manager has become an important part of our family. We are very fortunate to have her in our lives. Knowing that we have a team of caring and capable professionals to assist us makes us stronger and more confident. Thank you for helping us provide the best home care possible to the people we love.” *Names have been changed
25 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Financial Statement
FISCAL YEAR 2023 REVENUE FOR OPERATIONS
REVENUE July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
n Program Service Fees: $19,303,037 n Philanthropic Support: $5,540,027
In 2023, JSSA served and
n Grants and Contracts: $10,131,566
supported 19,236 neighbors.
n Endowment Support: $2,848,773
$37,948,173
n Other Income: $124,770
Note: In FY 2023, a reduction in the average length of stay in JSSA’s hospice program, consistent with national trends, resulted in lower revenue than forecast. And national workforce challenges impacted JSSA’s ability to generate revenue at expected levels. JSSA made reductions in expenses to adjust to these trends and created a budget for FY24
FISCAL YEAR 2023 REVENUE FOR EXPENSES
EXPENSES
that returns the agency to a balanced
n Hospice: $13,347,404
operating position during the fiscal year.
n Mental Health Services: $9,439,366 n Employment Services: $1,692,225 n Aging in Place: $10,344,104
$41,540,121
n Homecare: $4,423,171 n Other services: $600,949 n Fundraising: $1,692,902
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More than 98% of JSSA clients reported satisfaction with the level of service they received.
27 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
JSSA Leadership 2022-2023
JSSA Leadership
Executive Management
Board of Directors
Todd Schenk Chief Executive Officer
Rhonda Brandes
Dorothy Matlis
Yvonne Schlafstein Distenfeld
Jean R. Moise
David Flyer
Caroline Appleby Chief Financial Officer
Marcia Nusgart
Patricia Goldman
Grant Ottenstein*
Jonathan Harris
Deborah Peeples Chief Development and External Affairs Officer
Susan Plotnick
Roberta Hochberg
Ruth Z. Ruskin*
Sarah Kaplan
Patricia Silver
Harold Krauthamer
Joel E. Stillman
Jeffrey Krauthamer z”l
Erica J. Strudler
Mitchell Lahr
Robin Thomashauer*
Capt. Solomon Levy
Jeff Yentis
Kylie McCleaf Chief Operating Officer
Jenn Ripkin Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Schiffman Chief Medical Officer Cephas Silvera Chief Information Officer and Health Information Security Officer
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Esther Newman
Suzanne Levy Althea Lloyd-White Michael Mael*
* Executive Committee
JSSA’s Ambassador’s Council Members 2022-2023
Recognizing the Generosity of Caring Supporters
Co-chairs: Harriet Tritell and Michael Flyer
Thank you to our generous donors.
Jeff Abramson
Connie Heller
Cherie Artz
Larry Kline
Faith Bobrow
Candace G. Kaplan
Cathy Brodsky
Leslie Kaplan
Phyllis Cela
Judith Oppenheim
Irving Cohen
Barry Perlis
The caring contributions of thousands of generous donors are essential to JSSA’s ability to ensure our quality services are accessible and affordable. Every contribution is an investment in JSSA’s vital mission to enhance well-being in our community and makes it possible for our agency to sustain our long-term commitment to serving and supporting even more neighbors.
Rita Corwin
Lewis Priven
Joan de Pontet
Joseph Rosenberg
Norman Eule
Jonathan Schnitzer
Elaine Feidelman
John Schmelzer
Michael Flyer
Lois Silberberg
Michael Goldsmith
Howard Silberberg
Sherri Gottlieb
Elaine Snider
Larrie Greenberg
Harriet Tritell
Linda Hartman
Susan Turnbull Marilyn Yentis
We are grateful for our partnership with The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and their ongoing commitment to helping us serve our neighbors. JSSA is privileged to work with Federation to expand services and create new programs to meet the ever-changing needs of our community. We recognize the significant support from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) that enables us to provide essential services and care to the men and women in our community who survived the Holocaust.
JSSA’ s Holocaust Survivor program is also supported by grants from The Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma and the Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies and Kavod SHEF. JSSA is deeply grateful for every contribution. We regret being unable to list all donors due to space limitations. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of these acknowledgments, but if an error or omission was made, please contact our Development Department at 301-610-8370 to correct our mistake. 29 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
Mission
JSSA
Recognizing our shared humanity, JSSA empowers individuals and families to enhance well-being across all ages and stages of life.
Vision Guided by Jewish values, we are the partner of choice, providing integrated services that enhance the quality of life across our region’s diverse communities.
Values Dignity We honor, respect, and esteem the ability and diversity of all individuals and serve all people with empathy, compassion and caring. We promote autonomous decision-making and the right to self-determination of everyone we serve. Integrity We are committed to strong ethical and moral principles; honesty, fairness, equity, trustworthiness and bringing our whole selves to everything we do. Hope We foster an optimistic outlook allowing individuals to journey through uncertainty and confront difficulty with the promise of learning and healing that leads to a greater sense of physical and emotional well-being.
These Jewish tenets infuse all that we do: B’tzelem Elohim Recognizes our shared humanity; the value and dignity of every human life. Tikkun Olam Healing the world through collective and individual engagement. We feel a responsibility to give back. Chesed Unconditional kindness, compassion and generosity. Altruism inspires our every action.
Inclusiveness We seek and embrace the diversity of perspectives backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and contributions of staff, volunteers, clients, and partners, fostering an environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential.
Kavod Bringing honor to ourselves, our families and the communities we belong to. We cherish human dignity and individuality.
Responsibility We are dedicated to ensuring that services needed by our community are accessible and available to all. We are committed to disciplined stewardship of resources to ensure the organization’s services are sustainable.
Pikuach Nefesh Recognizing the ultimate value of human life. We devote ourselves to healing and health.
Excellence As a learning organization we strive for continuous improvement, utilizing best practices and employing innovative techniques to achieve outstanding outcomes.
Teshuvah Faith in the ever-present possibility of growth and renewal. We work to inspire positive change.
35 ANNUAL REPORT FY23
About JSSA
JSSA is the National Capital Region’s trusted provider of health and social wellness services. We support individuals and families on their journeys toward well-being, even during their most vulnerable moments. JSSA’s four areas of focus are: Supporting people’s mental health, helping people with disabilities find meaningful employment, caring for older adults so they can safely age at home, and offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients. After 130 years, JSSA is a steady presence, providing warmth, compassion, and essential care to our neighbors.
Office Locations ROCKVILLE-FALLSGROVE The Ina Kay Building 200 Wood Hill Road Rockville, MD 20850
@OfficialJSSA
ROCKVILLE-MONTROSE The Elsie and Marvin Dekelboum Building 6123 Montrose Road Rockville, MD 20852
@jssaofficial
jssa.org l 240-800-JSSA (5772)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA 3025 Hamaker Court Suite 450 Fairfax, VA 22031
jewish-social-service-agency