A dozen staff members representing the offices of several Illinois U.S. Congressional delegates spent a full day on Aug. 15 touring JUF/Jewish Federation-affiliated agencies in the Chicago area to get an up-close look at the impact these service providers have on the community.

Representatives from the offices of Sens. Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk and Reps. Cheri Bustos, Danny Davis, Bob Dold, Tammy Duckworth, Bill Foster, Mike Quigley and Jan Schakowsky met with agency executives from CJE SeniorLife’s Lieberman Center, JCFS’ Abe and Ida Cooper Center, and Mount Sinai Hospital.

“Three hundred thousand — that is the number of Chicagoans of all faiths Federation and its affiliated agencies provide critical safety net services to every year,” said David Golder, chair of JUF’s Government Affairs Committee. “Supporting these agencies and providing our exceptional professionals with the tools they need to help those with the greatest needs in our community is at the heart of JUF’s mission.”

CJE SeniorLife President and CEO Mark Weiner echoed this sentiment. “The operative word is partnership,” he said, addressing participants. “We, as service providers, are partners, who rely on legislation and funding streams that government policymakers design with the same goals in mind that we have. The question is how will we work with you, our government partners, and the larger health care system, to improve outcomes for one of the most vulnerable populations in our community?”

The group toured all three facilities and engaged in discussions about the work being done to improve the lives of those most vulnerable, including older adults, people suffering from substance abuse, and adults and children with disabilities.

JCFS President and CEO Howard Sitron discussed programs that focus on maximizing life opportunities for one such group — adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a population with a higher unemployment rate than any other demographic group.

“There is so much more that we could do to support people with disabilities in the areas of employment, socialization, housing and full inclusion in our communities,” Sitron said. “People with disabilities are essential members of our community and deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. Not having a voice to advocate for themselves should not result in them getting less than our community’s full support.”

The day concluded at Mount Sinai Hospital, where participants discussed a range of issues from behavioral health services to housing and community development to community violence. Roberta Rakove, senior vice president of government and public affairs at Sinai Health System, summed up what seemed to be the theme of the day. “Our partnership with Federation is very important to Sinai. At Sinai Health System, we devote the vast majority of our resources towards caring for our patients and providing programs and services to our community’s most vulnerable members,” she said. “Federation has been a strong and unwavering partner, critical to our efforts to accomplish this mission.”

These agency visits were the first for the participating congressional district staff, who all expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity to hear first-hand from these agencies which are directly impacted by federal policy.

Throughout the day, JUF leaders were able to draw connections between the work and challenges of its affiliated agencies and many of JUF’s domestic policy priorities. Specific legislative items addressed include the Transition to Independence Act,H.R.5903 / S.1604 ; the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act , H.R.1571 ; and Fiscal 2017 funding for the Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program.

“This event gives Federation an opportunity to continue to build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials and their staff both in Washington and in Chicago,” said Lisa Shuger Hublitz, director of Federation’s Washington DC Office. “A crucial part of our advocacy work is to ensure that the program and funding needs of our affiliated agencies are sufficiently addressed by Congress.”