Israel

Israel National Organiser for Schemes

Rachel Larea
Home-Start Israel
The International Initiative
Aronowich
St. Rehovat
76347
Israel
Ph: 00972 524 297821
Email: rslarea@netvision.net.il

The Origins of Home-Start

In 1990 the Israeli Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs decided to start a programme based on the British model of Home-Start. The beginning was modest, with three schemes: Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Ashkelon and Um el phahem. The pilot included both the Arabic and Jewish populations.
After two years trial, the results were positive and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs decided to adopt and operate the Home-Start model nationwide. The chosen name KEN is the Hebrew word for nest and thus expresses the family orientation of the organisation.

Objectives

In the short term KEN''s objective is to offer isolated young families with children friendship and support. In the long term the objective is to enable parents to provide for the needs of their children independently, and to experience joyful and satisfying parenthood.

About the Schemes

Today KEN schemes spread all over Israel, from the Galilee in the north to Eilat in the south. The national co-ordinator, together with the steering committee, is responsible for the day to day management of KEN. Its schemes operate though the local municipalities'' welfare and social affairs departments. Regional consultants are responsible for providing training and guidance to existing and new schemes.

The multicultural Israeli society is represented in the schemes. There are Jewish, Arabic and Druze volunteers and families. Each scheme organises various activities to guide and support families: home visits, local workshops, holidays, family groups, women''s clubs, outings and trips.

Funding

KEN schemes are funded by the Israeli Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs through the local municipality welfare departments.

Future Activities

1. To enlarge the number of schemes in Israel.
2. To include husband and wife couples as volunteers.
3. To develop and enlarge the various models to meet cultural differences.

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