ALPERT JFS/LEVINE JRFS CLINICAL DIRECTOR SHARED BEST PRACTICES IN DELIVERING
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES VIRTUALLY AT THIRD TRANSATLANTIC ZOOM SESSION
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – October 23, 2020 – Jewish Welfare Services from the United States, Europe, Canada and Israel convened online on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the Third Transatlantic Zoom Conversation, sponsored by the European Council of Jewish Communities and the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA). The focus of the conference was virtual mental health services in response to COVID-19.
Dr. Elaine Rotenberg clinical director of Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) and Melvin J. & Claire Levine Jewish Residential & Family Service (Levine JRFS) represented the American agencies, and shared her experiences about leading our local Jewish community through the transition from face-to-face to virtual service delivery. Her presentation – “Delivering Mental Health Services Virtually” – explored how living within a pandemic has challenged mental health professionals to take on the role of first responders for themselves, their families, their organizations, and their communities in unprecedented ways. She discussed the challenges – and opportunities – that have resulted from our “new normal.”
“The increased uncertainty brought about by the pandemic has had dramatic implications for organizations, employees, and the clients we serve. This conference brought together more than 16 countries, all navigating the same storm,” said Dr. Rotenberg. “After finishing my presentation, it was so gratifying to have a colleague from a human service agency in Switzerland comment that she now felt motivated to learn how to connect with clients using video technology. During such a challenging, tumultuous time, sharing with colleagues from around the globe made the world feel just a bit smaller and a great deal more united.”
Dr. Rotenberg is a licensed clinical psychologist, a member of the American Psychological Association, and the Florida Psychological Association, and serves on the steering committee of the Action Alliance for Mental Health in Palm Beach County. She received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University, and her graduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver, completing her pre-doctoral fellowship at Yale University.
In her role at Alpert JFS, Dr. Rotenberg provides clinical oversight and establishes standards of best practice for the more than two dozen programs of Alpert JFS and Levine JRFS. Her responsibilities include direct oversight of all the behavioral health services of the agencies, including counseling, psychiatry and residential services, and coordinates the ongoing Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program of Alpert JFS. Dr. Rotenberg spearheaded the creation of a coalition to introduce the international evidence-based Metal Health First Aid (MHFA) program throughout Palm Beach County. Additionally, she is involved with the NJHSA, serving on their Best Practices task force, and is the chair of the clinical services affinity group for the network. Dr. Rotenberg is a much-requested speaker, and works hard to promote outreach and inter-agency collaborative initiatives.
Established in 1974, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) is a nationally accredited service provider for children, adults, seniors, and Holocaust survivors. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization is a trusted leader, with a team of 200 highly skilled professionals delivering high-quality care to community members. Alpert JFS works to ensure the well-being of children and families, independence of older adults, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visitwww.alpertjfs.org/ or phone 561-684-1991