Special Needs
HaMercaz—A Community of Support for Families Raising Children with Special Needs
The Federation’s HaMercaz program offers ongoing assistance, advocacy, and support for Jewish families and children with special needs and developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, and cerebral palsy, from birth to age 22. Ha mercaz means "the center" in Hebrew.
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Contact HaMercaz
866-287-8030 or hamercaz@jfsla.org
HaMercaz Services
- A network of community agencies and organizations that work together to address your family’s needs
- Social programs including play days and outings, sibling programs, multi-generational events, and Jewish holiday celebrations
- Support groups and counseling
- Parent and professional workshops
- Connections to Jewish community programs including those at synagogues, Jewish schools, and camps
Online Resources
- HaMercaz Resource Guide: Discover organizations and programs in L.A. that can help you and your family
Activities
- HaMercaz Annual Family Play Day at the Zimmer Children's Museum — February 20, 10am–12:30pm
- Two Fathers' Journeys: Raising and Being Raised by Sons with Special Needs — February 21, 7-9pm
Jewish Family Service is the lead clinical partner for HaMercaz. The collaborative includes Jewish Family Service, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services, Etta Israel Center, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jewish Free Loan Los Angeles, and the New Jewish Community Center at Milken.
February is Inclusion Awareness Month, a part of a national effort to inform and raise awareness about members of the Jewish community with disabilities. HaMercaz and our partner agencies will be taking part in many exciting events for parents, families and professionals throughout the month. For more information, visit www.JewishLA.org/IAM.
Funding provided by:
The Jewish Federation
The Jewish Community Foundation
Marcia Israel Foundation
