Yeladim – The Council for Children in Care Bridge to Independence – A program for young persons who are “growing out of Residential Care”

Target population Young persons, who grew up in group homes, and graduate out of the homes at the age of 18, with no family home to return to. Some of them are orphans, some have been abandoned, but the majority have families that cannot offer even a minimal level of support, and may actually endanger the youngsters. During their years in the group homes, they lost contact with relatives, never visited in weekends and vacations.

Underlying Assumptions The transition from the group home to the outside world may be as significant for the future adjustment of the youngsters as the quality of care they received in the home. Expectations about what awaits them when they leave the home, may impact upon the adjustment of young persons while in the group home.

Is Israel different? Presumably, in Israel the transition from life in group homes should be smoother then in other countries, due to the fact that the great majority of young persons, including those growing up in residential care, pass through a structured stage of military or civilian service, lasting between one and three years. However, the ability of group home graduates to adjust to the demands of military or civilian service cannot be taken for granted. It is a stage at which most young persons need a lot of support.

Bridge to independence: Background and Motivation Professionals in the area of residential care – staff of homes, supervisors, as well as the staff of “Yeladim”, expressed concern over the fate of young persons graduating from group homes with nowhere to go. Some group homes and youth villages explored local responses to the need. The relevant government ministries had no overall policy to deal with this problem. A number of foundations were willing to support an NGO that will take the lead in developing a comprehensive response to the need.

Needs of Young Persons Leaving Residential Care A roof over their head A listening ear and a shoulder to cry on A supportive social network Advocacy vis-a-vis military and civilian authorities Learning skills needed for independent living Information about resources and rights Financial support, loans and scholarships Psychological, medical, legal services

Two Alternative Models 1. The group home as “family”: When the group home is the only home a person experienced during childhood and adolescence, it may as well continue to serve as home beyond the age of 18, allowing for a gradual process of disengagement. 2. A new beginning: Emerging adulthood requires transition to a separate setting, emphasizing the fact that a young person is on the way to becoming an independent adult person, having to learn to fend for himself.

Scope of the program - May young persons, in 19 flats, From Kiriat Mozkin in the north to Beer Sheba in the south. A professional staff of 12, most of them part- time, including director, supervisor and 10 counselors. About 100 non-resident service users, some of them former residents, others who made their own living arrangements, but need counseling.

Services and amenities Furnished apartments for semi-independent living of six residents, subsidized rent and partial support for living expenses. A counselor (social worker or similar occupation) visiting twice a week, “on call” around the clock, to provide information, advice, advocacy and support. Scholarships for academic and vocational studies, partial support for psychological counseling and other services.

Contract with residents Time limit for residence: 18 months, not counting 1-3 years of military or civilian service. Payment of rent, based on income. Active involvement in academic studies, vocational training or gainful employment (except during military or civilian service).

Contract (contd.) No alcohol or drugs in the home No overnight guests Active participation in maintenance of the home Respect for others and property Cooperation with fellow residents and staff

Variety of Ownerships, Partnerships and Arrangements In some instants, “Yeladim” rents an apartment to accommodate a heterogeneous group (before, after or during military or civilian service), and employs the counselor. Some apartment are rented by an organization operating a group home or a chain of group homes, sometimes adjacent to the group home, housing mainly or solely their graduates. The counselors are employed and supervised either by “Yeladim” or the group home, or jointly. Same, but with a majority of residents who are not graduates of the home.

Variety (contd.) Some apartments are rented and made available to us by the “Soldiers’ Welfare Association”, to house groups of either male or female soldiers. The counselors are employed by “Yeladim”. Same, but apartment rented and made available by an organization operating civilian service, housing a group of young women doing such service.

Issues and Concerns There is still a gap between known need, actual demand, and scope of the program. Two population groups are as yet unserved: Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews. Issues regarding the boundaries of the target population: There are those who may want to use the program but are not really without family, and those who are not ready for independent and cooperative living. Need to structure transition out of the program, and follow-up on former participants.

Issues (contd.) What roles should the group homes continue to play vis-à-vis their graduates? Recently the Ministry of Welfare decided to assume responsibility for the program, in partnership with “Yeladim”. This raises issues about respective roles and responsibilities of the NGO and the Government. An evaluation of the two first years of the program showed that it served a real need and helped the participants. It is time for a new formally structured evaluation.

Concluding Remark Our experience, over the last seven years, has shown that there is a real need for a program to serve graduates of residential care, and that a program like “Bridge to Independence” can effectively answer the need. The challenge now is to make this a regular part of Israel’s service system.