JFS and Orange County Public Schools partner to provide in-school counseling

Jewish Family Services Orlando (JFS Orlando), the Winter Park-based non-profit, human service agency, announces its partnership with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) in providing its Kids Konnect Family Circle program to students and their families beginning August 2013.

Participating Orange County schools will host licensed JFS Orlando therapists who will work on-site with school guidance counselors. The counseling program is geared toward students from homes that are experiencing family disruption or life-altering situations including, but not limited to: divorce, separation, parental abandonment, incarceration, a single-parent upbringing or grandparenting. In addition to school counseling sessions, therapists will make follow-up visits to participating students’ homes to ensure that in-school sessions are translating to the home environment.

“We’re delighted to introduce the Kids Konnect Family Circle program to Orange County Public Schools,” said Eric Geboff, JFS Orlando’s executive director. “This empowering program will provide a safe and supportive setting for Orange County students facing difficult situations at an early phase in their lives. It’s our goal is to reach as many children as possible in the Central Florida area, and our partnership with OCPS brings us one step closer.”

JFS Orlando is one of 12 agencies approved to provide in-school counseling services. The Kids Konnect Family Circle program works as an extension to the existing counseling services the organization provides to the general community via its Center for Counseling, Growth and Development. Kids Konnect Family Circle will be accessible to students in elementary, middle and high school. The program is not funded through agency dollars and fees apply. Private pay, insurance, Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted. Registration is necessary to participate; interested parties should call Susan Weissman, JFS Orlando Clinical director, at 407-644-7593.

This year marks JFS Orlando’s 35th anniversary of providing social services to struggling children and families in Central Florida. To learn more about the agency, Kids Konnect Family Circle or make a donation, please visit http://www.jfsorlando.org or call 407-644-7593.