Jewish Family Service of Greater Santa Barbara: Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

In the months since the outbreak of COVID-19, Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Greater Santa Barbara has been able to continue to provide our full-range of professional services to the community, offering much needed mental health support during this time of challenge and crisis. In the weeks leading up to the stay-at-home orders and in anticipation of our building closure, our entire JFS clinical staff, including licensed therapists, associates and trainees, transitioned completely to HIPAA and Medicare-approved telehealth platforms. Thus, our clinicians were immediately ready to provide short-term support; crisis intervention, as well as long-term therapeutic intervention and counseling for teens, adult, couples, and families with a special emphasis on the needs of older adults in our community. While other agencies in our community saw a drop in those utilizing clinical services, our numbers have actually risen, as telehealth has provided an opportunity for some clients to comply with treatment, without the burden of physically having to get to our building. In addition, as we are one of the few agencies in our community which accepts Medicare, as well as Medicare/ MediCal insurance, this allows many older adults to utilize our services, a lifeline for many, especially at this time.

In addition to therapy services, we are always committed to serving those who are particularly vulnerable – especially now during this unprecedented crisis. Our Caring Visitors Program, which combines a social service and spiritual focus, is managed by our Chaplaincy Department. Pairing para-professional visitors with those isolated and alone and in need of weekly visits, this program provides that much-needed personal touch, which is now, although transitioned to virtual platforms, even more critical during this time when many are feeling so very alone. In general, staying in contact with as many members of our community as we can right now is a priority – our Holocaust Survivor group is an important example. Our Mitzvah Meal Program (hot meal delivery) and challah deliveries have been very important ways for us to connect and let others know that we are here for them. Our new Schmooze in a Box Program is a weekly curbside lunch pick-up opportunity which started in early June to allow a safe alternative, while our building remains closed. In partnership with the Food Bank of Santa Barbara, bags of food staples will also be available for pick up at this time.

Jewish Family Service generally plays an active role interfacing with our community, but during a time of crisis, this role is elevated even more. JFS is one of thirteen local agencies actively engaged on the Community Wellness Team (CWT), part of the Department of Behavioral Wellness of Santa Barbara County. Having formed after the Thomas Fire/Debris Flow disasters, this team knows how to respond effectively to community crises. Our JFS Director receives frequent briefings as a member of this team, constantly shares resources, and is involved with impacting local policy and working on solutions. Coordinating with other local agencies, JFS has been able to broaden our Mitzvah Meal Program to help Hospice patients and families, First Responders, and at-risk youth who are working as volunteers in their own community.