VISION
The Jay Dooley Memorial Foundation [JDMF], a 501(c)(3) public charity, is deeply committed to assisting children who may have a learning disability or suffer from depression by assisting their family as well as the educators and schools.
MISSION
The JDMF will address the lack of critical mental and medical health services for families in need and ease the economic burden associated with these services. We will provide financial assistance so families can get proper medical diagnosis and treatment for their special needs child. In addition JDMF will fund programs to educate both parents and special needs teachers for the benefit of their children / students.
WHO IS JDMF?
JDMF is a family foundation dedicated to the memory of Jay Dooley and the special needs of adolescents within our community. JDMF was created by Jay's parents Jerry and Margie Dooley and his sister Alison Dooley to complete the foundation's mission.
WHAT DOES JDMF DO EXACTLY?
JDMF provides resources for health and educational services for children with disabilities as well as for the educators providing in class support, professional training for in class teachers and assistants, and assist with medical and related expenses for those in need with children with special needs.
WHAT IS JDMF TRYING TO ADDRESS?
The number of children in the United States with learning disabilities has reached almost epidemic proportions. The U.S. Department of Education recently released a report based upon a 2003 study that in New Jersey, 1 in every 3 children has a learning dysfunction. In the United States, about 20 percent of teens will experience teen depression before they reach adulthood. Four and a half million children between the ages of five and seventeen [5-17] have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2006. Because of hard economic times and governmental cut backs and budget constraints, public and private schools are often ill-equipped to address these issues. JDMF will work with schools to provide training for teachers as well as to assist with the development of special needs programs for children with learning disabilities or suffering from depression.
