Special needs resources

Published on February 7, 2008

Special-Needs Resources HaMercaz, a project of Jewish Family Service and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, offers a central resource for Jewish families raising a special-needs child, connecting parents to support groups, programs and services.

Special needs program puts spotlight on the siblings

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on November 15, 2007

A collaborative project of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Jewish Family Service and seven other Jewish community agencies, HaMercaz (which means "the center") assists families with children up to age 21 who have developmental and learning disabilities such as autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or mental retardation. The two-year-old program serves as a "one-stop-shop" for families, providing guidance, support, education and referrals. Programs include a toll-free warmline; support groups for mothers, fathers and grandparents; and referrals to agencies that can provide assistance, such as interest-free loans or parent respite.

Agencies Join to Aid Special-Needs Kids

By Marc Ballon
Published on December 15, 2005

In November, The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles brought together seven other agencies, including, the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles, the Jewish Free Loan Association and Etta Israel Center, to create Hamercaz, a central resource for Jewish families raising special-needs children under 22.