Human Services (North America)

Six Key Issue Areas in Jewish Poverty

In October 2020, the National Affinity Group on Jewish Poverty, a collaborative of funders, Jewish Federations, direct service providers, researchers, media outlets, and advocates coordinated by JFN and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, published six funder briefings. These briefings highlight what is being done and outline needs — and concrete ways funders can help — in six key categories. Download PDFs of these briefings below:

• Food Insecurity
• Housing
• Jobs
• Mental Health
• Older Adults
• Systems

End-Of-Life Care, Including Funeral Preparation/Burial Services 

• According to a document prepared by the David Berg Foundation funerals and burials are the most pressing immediate need as many COVID-19 patients are dying quickly. However, other aspects such as palliative care will also require support. Palliative care will be needed for those who do not recover quickly, have been on ventilators, and will need end of life support.
• The Berg Foundation notes that “rules and norms in this area have had to be adjusted due to COVID-19 and there is need for
  protective gear. Many Chevra Kadisha [burial society] members are themselves elderly.”
• Many families are challenged by a limited amount of burial spaces in certain areas, as well as burdensome fees for additional services beyond burials themselves, such as transportation and headstone installation.

Coping with Closures of Facilities Due to Social Distancing/Quarantine

• How to get food, medication and other services to clients if agencies cannot keep facilities open due to social distancing requirements.
• Difficulty recruiting and mobilizing volunteers due to social distancing.

Serving Seniors

In a July report on business continuity issues for major Jewish communal networks in response to coronavirus, Jewish Federations of North America noted that “throughout the world, the infirm, elderly population has been the most severely impacted of all population groups during this pandemic period.”

Senior care facilities, according to JFNA, are experiencing significantly increased costs from several factors:

• Skyrocketing costs of PPE supplies: “As a result of heightened demand during the pandemic, shortages and distribution issues, it can cost $23 or more in PPE expenses every time a single nurse, caregiver or service worker enters a resident room properly attired.”
• PPE, JFNA notes, is not reimbursed and must be paid for directly by each facility. Total increases in PPE costs alone across Jewish long-term care facilities are estimated at $12M for 2020. 
• Dramatically increased labor expenses, including managing drastic staffing shortages when staff become ill.
• Most facilities are closed to new admissions, further impacting revenue streams.
• JFNA reports that while all senior care institutions accept Medicare and Medicaid, “it is important to realize that reimbursement levels scarcely account for 50% of the cost of nursing home care during normal days.”