Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) is a human services agency with a Waltham base that cares for individuals and families, guided by Jewish traditions. It serves people of all faiths and backgrounds across the stages of life, from new parents to older adults. Its strategic plan aims for a community where people can get the help they need, when they need it, with compassion and dignity, under one roof.

For families, the agency offers Parent Connect, a free and confidential helpline where parents and caregivers can talk through concerns with a trained professional and find next steps, from infancy through adolescence. Free weekly support groups help parents of newborns cope with exhaustion and overwhelm. For older adults, a team called Your Elder Experts guides seniors and their families through the challenges of aging well.

What to Know

• Parent Connect is available in English and Spanish.
• Service providers, clergy and other professionals can also call Parent Connect to refer families.
• Parent Connect is run by the agency’s Berlin Center for Family Resilience.
• The agency holds small community gatherings, such as Circles of Connection, for support.