The legislation of Mandated Reporting in 1989 marks a significant shift in the approach and policies towards "at-risk" children and youth in Israel. Following this legislation, the Israeli public as well as the various social services became increasingly aware of the extent and complex nature of risk situations among children. The numbers of children reported as subjected to abuse and neglect rose dramatically, and systematic information about the range and extent of these children's and their families' needs began to be collected. The heightened awareness coupled with findings from a series of major studies led to a broad-based realization of the need for significant changes in policies towards at-risk children, youth and their families.
Beginning in 1995, substantial efforts were invested by both public and non-profit sector bodies working with at-risk young populations. New professional practices were adopted, and new initiatives arose to respond to the needs of at risk children and youth. This resulted in a significant increase in the range and diversity of services for at-risk children and their families, upgrading of services with the introduction of innovative approaches and practices, and greater inter-organizational collaboration in the field. Over time, many more services began to emphasize and promote parent participation, community-based activity, and inter-organizational collaboration.
In 2004, the Prime Minister's Committee for Disadvantaged Children and Youth, chaired by Professor Hillel Schmid (hence often referred to as the Schmid Committee), was convened. Its mission was to study the aspects and extent of risk situations among Israel’s children and youth, to examine the continuum of care provided by existing services and inter-ministerial collaborations, to assess policy and legislation in light of existing data and international conventions on children’s rights, and to make recommendations for both the short and long-term. The Schmid Committee’s recommendations for comprehensive policy and strategy relating to children and youth at risk are being implemented through the National Program for Children and Youth at Risk (see below).
Recent Policy Developments:
In the past ten years, a number of major policy developments have taken place, foremost among them:
Reforms of the Educational System, including the "Shoshani" Reform implemented to achieve greater equity and efficiency in managing elementary schools, some recommendations of the Dovrat "National Task Force", standardized testing at key grade levels, and, most recently, the "New Horizon" reform, which greatly expanded the teachers' work with children individually and in small groups. ·
"Towards the Community" reform in child welfare, of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. The reform promoted more decentralized budget allocations and local planning of services, in order to develop community services as an alternative to out-of-home residential care when appropriate.
Legislation on behalf of children with special needs, including the "Modification of Criminal Procedure for People with Emotional Disabilities and Mental Illness" to require investigations of people with special needs by specially trained investigators, and an amendment to the Special Education Law to increase mainstreaming of children with special needs in the regular education system
The National Program for Children and Youth at Risk was initiated in 2008, based on the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Committee for Disadvantaged Children and Youth (Schmid Committee) and brings together six Government ministries in an effort to reduce the number of children and youth in situations of risk. The National Program operates in 56 of the lowest socio-economic areas in Israel (reaching a total of 72 localities) where approximately half of the country’s children and youth at risk live. A strong emphasis is being placed on prevention of risk, with a third of the resources dedicated to the “New Beginnings” early childhood component of the National Program. Significant budgets (155 million NIS per year) have been allocated for five years for new or expanded programs and services in participating localities.
Who is At-Risk?
Services
