Ask the Experts: A Q&A Series from Goodman JFS
At Goodman Jewish Family Services, we believe knowledge is power. In this Ask the Experts Q&A series, Goodman JFS President & CEO Randy Colman sits down with our professional leaders for timely conversations on the issues that matter most to our community.
Whether you’re seeking insights, support or a deeper understanding of the services we provide, this series is designed to offer practical guidance and expert perspectives on mental health, family wellbeing and caring for our community. It’s just one more way we aim to serve by supporting those who need help and informing those looking to make a difference.
Q&A with Samantha Salver, Program Manager – Joshua’s Path Disability Services
As children with disabilities grow into adulthood, many families find themselves asking what comes next. In reality, the transition after age 18 can bring complex challenges related to employment, independence, caregiving and long-term support. This Ask the Experts Q&A explores what life looks like for adults with disabilities and their caregivers, with a focus on the services, resources and community support available.
Q: “What happens after 18?” is one of the most common questions caregivers ask. What is the reality families face when a child with disabilities ages out of adolescent services, and what should caregivers know early on to prepare?
A: Life after high school is a daunting thought for most families who have a child with a disability. When the world and our communities are not designed for us, there is a deep sense of uncertainty. A typical trajectory like college or traditional employment is not always an option.
Many individuals need to develop specific life skills and vocational skill sets to succeed in a post-secondary environment or in the workforce. Some continue living at home or in group homes and often rely on fixed government benefits. Disabilities vary widely, which means community programs do not always meet every individual’s needs.
To prepare, families often begin early with employment readiness and independent living skills training. Early intervention is one of the strongest predictors of greater independence in adulthood.
Q: When caregivers begin searching for adult disability programs or services, what should they be looking for?
A: When evaluating adult disability programs, caregivers should look for:
- Support for the individual’s unique needs such as feeding, bathrooming, behaviors and communication
- An experienced and knowledgeable leadership team
- Clear information about accepted funding sources
- Programming that goes beyond “supervision “babysitting” and offers meaningful educational or vocational training opportunities
- Access to therapies if needed
- Appropriate staff-to-client ratios
- A safe and clean environment
- Strong accessibility including transportation options, physical space and adaptive learning tools
Q: How does caregiving impact mental health, and why are respite and peer support so important?
A: Caregiving can be very taxing. Helping a loved one with disabilities reach their potential while navigating systems, funding and appropriate services is challenging no matter where they fall on the spectrum.
Caregiving can also be isolating. When friends or family feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or ashamed around the person with disabilities, it can cause families to grow apart. Caregivers may find themselves excluded from events or conversations that once felt normal. Even sharing their experience can feel isolating when others are judgmental or do not understand.
This is why finding a support system of people who can truly empathize and relate is so important. Support may come through groups, therapists, connections made at therapy centers or online communities. It’s also important for caregivers to stay true to themselves by continuing to do the things they enjoy and not losing their sense of self, even when it feels like all their energy is being taken up by caring for their loved one or managing other obligations.
Q: February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. Why are awareness months important, and how can people practice inclusion beyond February?
A: Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month is an opportunity to learn about disability inclusion, accessibility and cultural competency. Awareness months help people become more familiar with communities they may not fully understand.
That can include sharing educational content on social media, debunking myths, attending inclusive events or evaluating whether spaces are truly accessible. These months are meant to empower people to carry that knowledge of inclusion and cultural competency throughout the entire year. They also shine a light on the community itself, helping individuals feel seen, valued and recognized as an important part of our broader community.
Q: What’s coming up at Joshua’s Path Disability Services of Goodman JFS?
A: Joshua’s Path Disability Services continues to offer:
Summer workshops will be offered in July. BOOST (Building on Our Strengths Together), our life skills and vocational training program designed to build independence, confidence and workplace readiness, will begin a new cohort in August.
Through programs like BOOST, adults with disabilities gain practical experience that supports employment readiness and greater independence.
Resources for Families in Broward County and Beyond
For many families, the first step is simply reaching out to talk through what they’re experiencing and what they need. Even when our programs are not the right fit, we help caregivers identify local disability resources and better understand available options.
For families outside Broward County, we recommend starting with local or state disability services agencies and advocacy organizations. Navigating adult disability services can feel overwhelming, but families do not have to do it alone. We’re always happy to help point people in the right direction.
To contact Joshua’s Path Disability Services of Goodman JFS, email JoshuasPath@jfsbroward.org.
To contact Samantha Salver, email ssalver@jfsbroward.org.