ETTA has hired Jeffrey Popkin, MSW, LCSW, and special needs professional for over 30 years, as its new Director of Operations.

Mr. Popkin brings his extensive experience as Associate Director of Kern Regional Center, one of California’s 21 Regional Centers, which coordinates community-based services for 250,000 citizens who have developmental disabilities. Mr. Popkin provided services to approximately 7,000 people in Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties.

ETTA, which merged with OHEL Children’s and Family Services last year, is the premier resource for residential services for Jewish individuals with disabilities on the West Coast. ETTA currently operates four group homes, one independent living home, Supported and Independent Living Services, vocational training, educational training and workshops, social events, a Day Program, a summer camp program, and volunteer programs. ETTA has now embarked on an ambitious plan to expand over the next seven years to meet  needs of the Los Angeles Jewish community as part of its “200 by 2020” plan (to house, or support in various housing arrangements, 200 individuals with disabilities by the year 2020).

In all these areas, Mr. Popkin’s tremendous expertise and knowledge will be invaluable, overseeing client services, operations, human resources, student services and program development while building solid relationships with multiple stakeholders both internally and externally.

“I am looking forward to being part of the ETTA team which is meeting the goal of providing additional quality, community-based living arrangements,” states Mr. Popkin. “Over my years of service to the developmentally disabled I have always strived to develop services and supports that enhance the quality of life.”

ETTA is thrilled to be bringing Mr. Popkin to the LA community, enhancing our services to people with special needs and forwarding the vision of ETTA is an inclusive, participatory community of people with and without special needs, succeeding and growing together.