UJA-Federation of New York

Accessing the Right Services for All in Need: J11 Information and Referral Center

To help people navigate New York’s maze of nonprofits as well as government services and entitlements, UJA-Federation of New York recently launched J11, a newly expanded information and referral service staffed by highly trained professionals.

Previously known as Resource Line, J11 offers comprehensive information and referral services addressing every type of request for help, whether for life-cycle events, personal crises, or finding Jewish connections.

• We have two girls in college. My parents invested with Bernard Madoff and lost all their retirement savings. If we help them, we can’t manage two tuitions. Is there anyone who can help us sort out our options?
• I’ve been working part-time sporadically for the past three years because I have chronic pain. My friends tell me I should apply for disability. How do I do that?
• I am feeling overwhelmed and very concerned about my teenage daughter. She has a history of depression, and lately her grades are slipping and she seems extremely withdrawn. My husband and I have been arguing about what is best for her. We’ve taken her to a private therapist in the past, but money is tight lately and I’m not sure we can afford to pay out of pocket anymore. Where can I turn for help?
• My 86-year old mother has been taking care of my 94-year old father by herself for years. Now she has to go to the hospital. What’s the best agency to call to help my dad? I’m in California. How do I arrange this long-distance? What will happen to my father if my mother dies?
• I think our 2-year-old may have autism. Where do we go to have her tested?
• My husband died three months ago. Are there bereavement groups in Queens? I’m only 50, and I need to find a group where there are other people like me.
• I just moved to New York. Is there a place I can go for the High Holidays without being a member? Do you know how I can meet other young Jews?

Currently, J11’s continually updated database includes relevant information about more than 6,000 programs. Calls to J11 are fielded by B.S.W.- and M.S.W-level information and referral specialists, who elicit enough information to make a viable initial referral and determine other areas where help might be appropriate. Reviewing the resources of
UJA-Federation’s network of agencies and the broader not-for-profit community, these trained professionals find programs and services best tailored to the situation and discuss these recommendations with the caller. If necessary, they will advocate for the caller with UJA-Federation agencies and other service providers and follow up to make sure the problem has been addressed effectively.

The Synagogue Connection Rabbis, lay leaders, and synagogue executives are encouraged to refer congregants to J11 for referrals to programs that address such areas as employment, legal assistance, financial aid, mental health, substance abuse, children with special needs, seniors, caregiving, Jewish camps, synagogues, day schools, and Israel travel.

J11 is also appropriate if you are unsure whether a congregant is eligible for free employment, legal, financial, and support services through UJA-Federation’s Connect to Care. J11’s social workers will determine whether the person can be best helped by Connect to Care or through a combination of other assistance programs available to the general community.

J11 is also a portal to UJA-Federation’s new Mental HealthGPS, which helps families struggling with child or adolescent mental illness navigate the mental health system by pairing them with an experienced family resource specialist who can handle the child’s complex needs.

J11 is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1-877-UJA-NYJ11 (1-877-852-6951) or by e-mail at .

Telephone messages and e-mails received after 3:30 p.m. will be responded to the next business day.

 

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