Foster Care Services

The Summit Institute provides guidance and direct support for families at all stages of foster care. Our services are available to foster families in the Jerusalem and Southern regions, in partnership with and under the regulation of the Ministry of Social Welfare. Summit works closely with the relevant welfare authorities in local councils and municipalities.

In order to optimize the foster care system, the Summit Institute offers foster families a range of resources alongside in-depth, professional support. The services include:

- Training for new foster families, including personal and group courses that cover screening, placement, and instruction, as well as one-on-one preparatory meetings.

- Intensive professional and emotional support from foster care caseworkers during absorption, separation, times of crisis, and throughout the foster child's stay in the family.

- Consultation and treatment planning with foster care caseworkers, who are all certified, social workers.

- Personalized treatment plan implementation, including psychological care, paramedical treatment, tutoring, assistance in school, and more.

- Support groups and meetings to assist foster parents with day-to-day concerns and challenges.

- Treatment groups for foster children and adolescents.

- Coordination between foster families and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to ensure reimbursements for expenses for foster children with special needs.

As part of Summit's efforts to integrate with the local community, we hold 'fun days' and training sessions for the foster families and children.

Thousands of at-risk children in Israel, many of them even in immediate danger, are in need of urgent intervention. In addition, there are thousands of children who are not receiving the care and treatment they need within their family units. if you are interested in learning more about becoming a foster family, please contact us.

Together we can help save these children at-risk and provide them with warm and supportive homes and a safe and protective environment to give them every chance at a better future.

The following criteria are needed to be considered as an emergency foster family:

• • Parents up to age 55
  • Medical confirmation of good health status

• • Proof of no criminal record

• • Appropriate space for children in the house

• • Steady income and financial stability

• • Good personal relationships within the household

• • Written and oral references from the community

By being accepted as a foster family you become partners in helping a child develop and grow in a stable framework in ways that will assist them in all areas of life, and ensure they are given a caring and loving home.