Dr. Yafit Gilboa OT, PhD. Shila Dikshtein, ST Cultural Accessibility of Preventive Program for Ultra-Orthodox Preschool Boys in Israel Dr. Yafit Gilboa OT, PhD. Shila Dikshtein, ST

Ultra-Orthodox community context Ma'agan- Preventive intervention program Cultural adaptation of Ma'agan to Ultra-Orthodox preschool

The isolated Ultra-Orthodox community context Defined by its commitment and adherence to preserve and observed an entire life-enfolding system of immutable values, norms, laws and institutions Representing an essential integrating force in Jewish individual, families and communities' identity (Weiss et al., 2013).

Ultra-Orthodox community Emphasize the rules of modesty and separation by gender. Set clear boundaries between themselves and general society in order to maintain their special character and prevent “foreign” influences. (Gilboa and Rosenblum, 2012).

Ultra-Orthodox -Numerically Communities exist worldwide. Approximately 13 million Jews in the world today. Numbers are increasing due to high birth rate and low rate of assimilation. 700,000 in Israel -9% of the population (CBS, 2010).

Ultra-Orthodox community's educational system Usually independent or partially independent With little or no supervision and support from the Israeli Ministry of Education The boys’ and girls’ education systems are separate and with a different curriculum from the age of three (Erhard and Erhard‐Weiss, 2007).

Ultra-Orthodox preschool for boys Do not require their male teachers to have official certification in education (Wolfson and Stoler, 2007). The educational curriculum focus on reading Few opportunities and equipment for play and physical activities Higher percentage of children who were at risk/delayed in motor skills (Golos et al., 2011a; 2011b)

Ma'agan מעג"ן - מערך תומך מעון-גן Aims: Identifying at an early age children who are at risk for developmental delays Creating an enriching developmental environment for all the children in participating kindergartens (Ben Rabi et al., 2008)

Cultural adaptation “The aspiration for inclusiveness meets the reality of cultural heterogeneity” (Barrera et al., 2011) The challenge - maintain essential elements of the program while adapting the delivery methods and materials to the target population (McNaughton et al., 2013).

Principles of community partnership Cultural adaptation Surface Deep (Resnicow et al., 1999)

Cultural adaptation of Ma'agan to Ultra-Orthodox preschool

Deep structure strategies Cultural values, social norms, history, opinions, and the challenges experienced by the population Firsthand knowledge Communication with community members to incorporate their priorities, problems, and preferred methods of participation The process was endorsed and blessed by the highest spiritual authority in the community. The Rabbis were consulted on a regular basis Ultra-Orthodox advisors were employed to serve as a bridge between the secular professionals and the service consumers

Surface structure strategies Health education materials- brochure… Preserve the religious nature of the setting: Gender Modest dress language (Yiddish) and sector considerations. Appropriate games and equipment that would be approved by the spiritual authorities.

מצא את ההבדלים

Ultra-Orthodox program additions Teacher workshops on child development Parent workshops - Fathers and Mothers separately