Jewish Residential Services (JRS) has exciting news! We are planning to open another Community Living Arrangement (CLA) or group home in Squirrel Hill. Like the Solomon and Sarah Goldberg House, the new group home will be licensed to serve individuals who require round-the-clock care because of significant intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

The new home will operate similarly to the Solomon and Sarah Goldberg House. JRS will again partner with Verland, a family of person-centered community homes and services supporting 230 individuals with intellectual disabilities, many of whom have multiple physical challenges. Verland will employ all of the staff providing direct care, taking care of the grounds, etc. The home is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. JRS will be involved in making sure residents are included in the fabric of the community by assisting with staff training related to Jewish culture, facilitating linkages with the Jewish Community Center, synagogues, and other Squirrel Hill organizations, and continuing to work closely with Verland’s leadership.

Generally, residents of group homes licensed for this level of care have a PA Consolidated Waiver which is designed to help individuals with intellectual disabilities access a variety of services, including housing, to support community living.

Residents of the new group home do not need to be Jewish but the home celebrates Jewish culture, however, with a kosher kitchen, Shabbat dinners, and observance of Jewish holidays, so it is important for residents to be comfortable in this environment.

JRS will be hosting a series of community meetings this summer for friends, neighbors and interested parties of the new group home.

For more information contact Alison Karabin, Project Manager for Families in Transition at Jewish Residential Services, at akarabin@jrspgh.org or 412.325.0039.