Nefesh B'Nefesh - Resources for Disabled Individuals in Israel

Akim is a nonprofit organization that provides services for children and adults with mental disabilities and other developmental disorders. Akim provides community living arrangements, family support centers, and a café which provides vocational training and job placement for young people with mental disabilities. In addition, support services are offered to the families of disabled individuals.

Aleh

Approximately 650 severely disabled Jewish children receive top quality medical, educational and rehabilitative residential care at branches in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Gedera and the Negev.

Aleh cares for children with medical conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, as well as genetic disorders including Tay-Sachs, Canavan disease and Rett syndrome. Many of them are learning how to overcome their handicaps and do the things that other children do, such as climb on jungle gyms, splash in the pool, finger paint, sing and dance. Others are learning how to eat and how to get dressed by themselves. They are also discovering how to communicate with the outside world.

12 Aharonovitz St., POB 435 Bnei Brak 51103
Tel: 03-617-1888
Fax: 03-617-1880
Email: aleh@aleh.org

Alyn is a nonprofit organization treating physically handicapped children and adolescents. Alyn offers services for a broad range of physical disabilities, and is the only facility of its kind in Israel . Alyn includes a staff of medical specialists including physicians, nurses, paramedical services and social workers. It maintains educational staff for day care nursery, kindergarten and a study center; recreation counselors; and a Biomechanical Engineering Laboratory. Additionally, Alyn offers respite services and safe transportation for children with special needs.

Contact Details
Located on the corner of Olswanger & Shmaryahu Levin Street
P.O.B. 9117, Jerusalem 91091
Fax: 972-2-6433653
Email: alyn@netvision.net.il

Dvora Ben Zvi, Director of In-Service Education
Tel: 972-2-6494387
Michal Bloch, Social Work Department
Tel: 972-2-6494351

Israel

Elwyn:

Israel Elwyn is an organization that helps children and adults with special needs become active partners in Israeli society. The services provided by Israel Elwyn include: preschool developmental centers, educational services, work activities center, adult developmental centers, small business units, supported employment services, job placement and vocational training, transitional employment, supported group homes and dental services. David Marcus is the Executive Director of Israel Elwyn; he is a native English speaker, and he is very helpful.

Enosh: The Israel Mental Health Association

Enosh provides the following services: housing, vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, social rehabilitation, mentoring and buddy families. Enosh is an agency that works with the government (and specifically, with the Ministry of Health).

Michal Ronen, office manger of the professional staff. Phone: 03-5400672, extension: 120,121

Ilan-Israel: Association for Handicapped Children & Adults

The mission of Ilan-Israel is to help with the welfare, education and rehabilitation of disabled children up to the time of their maturity and rehabilitation. The services offered by Ilan-Israel include: integrating the disabled person in a suitable educational, occupational or residential framework; sport activities; social activities; summer camps for the disabled; transportation services for disabled children; and individual assistance such as providing special computers or financing paramedical treatments.

Note: The menahalet of Beit Tamar (one of Ilan-Israel's facilities), Einav Kesher, speaks English and can be reached directly at 972-2-625-7410.

Shalva: Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged Children

Shalva offers respite services for families of disabled children. They have a professional staff made up of psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, music therapists, art therapists and other specialties. Shalva primarily services children with Down syndrome.

Shekel: Community Services for the Disabled:

Shekel is an umbrella organization that provides community services in Jerusalem for children and adults with special needs (involving physical, intellectual, emotional, mental and learning disabilities). The services offered by Shekel include: Assessment and Treatment, Education, Community Living, Vocational Rehabilitation, Leisure and Sports, Accessibility Center , Special Programs.

4 Yad Harutzim St. P.O.B 53105 Jerusalem Israel 93531
Phone: 972-2-6720157/8, Fax: 972-2-6725208
E-mail: shekel@shekel.org.il

Job Training for Olim with Aspergers Syndrome

Beit Eckstein, an organization whose goal is to improve the quality of life for people with special needs, has a job-training center for people with Aspergers Syndrome in Tel Aviv. In order for an oleh to benefit from these services, he must first be recognized as having AS by the Ministry of Social Welfare. He may then apply to the job-training center, known as Beit Ofek, and should simultaneously apply for a grant from the Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute) to cover expenses.

Application process

1. An oleh with Aspergers Syndrome first applies to the Ministry of Social Welfare in order to be recognized as an AS patient and to be referred to care outside his home. The applicant must have an ID card with an address in Israel – it cannot be done before making aliyah. This process can take anywhere from 2-6 months (and with pressure can possibly be sped up). Beit Ofek will not house anyone until this approval is granted.

[Note: It is suggested that during this waiting period, the oleh should take ulpan classes to improve his Hebrew before joining Beit Ofek.]

2. After approval from the Ministry of Social Welfare, the oleh goes to the absorption committee of Beit Ofek for an interview which lasts approximately one hour. Immediately following the interview, Beit Ofek makes their decision about whether or not to accept the oleh into their program.

3. If accepted, the oleh then applies for a stipend from Bituach Leumi. This may take up to two months, but it is paid retroactively to the date of the application . Bituach Leumi will give the stipend directly to Beit Ofek, who will take all the money necessary to cover expenses (approximately 80%) and will give the remainder to the AS oleh as monthly pocket money. The stipend from Bituach Leumi will cover health insurance.

Accommodations

Beit Ofek consists of three semi-detached cottages, each of which has a few levels. Five members live in each cottage, along with a day-time madrich. Someone other than the madrich sleeps in the cottage every night in case of emergency. Every member has his own room with basic furniture, and he is allowed to bring in his own as well. Each cottage has a lounge and a kitchen. The five members living in the cottage, along with the madrich, run the cottage as their own home, rotating cleaning and cooking duties, to prepare for independent living. Members are permitted to stay in their cottages for Shabbat, though most do not.

Members will live in the Beit Ofek cottages until they are ready to live on their own, which on average takes approximately two years (but may take as little as six months). At that point, members will move into an apartment nearby with 1-3 other members, and they will still be in contact with the Beit Ofek staff as necessary. This allows the members to live independently while still having the support of Beit Ofek.

Program

Every member of Beit Ofek has an individualized program made for him by a Support Coordinator working in the field of Special Education. All members go to the Job Training Center each morning at 8:00 AM, and they continue with their personal programs throughout the afternoon. In the evening, a member may leave his cottage as he wishes, though he must always say where he is going and return by 11:00 PM.

Daily checks are done on each member's progress. The personal programs focus on helping the members with life, social, and communication skills. Beit Ofek will help its members identify a suitable trade and will guide them on the correct course for getting a job. When a member has completed the program, Beit Ofek staff assists him in finding a job.

Contact Information

For further information, contact Beit Eckstein at 03 648 6477.

Additional Resources

Israeli Society for Autistic Children

http://www.alut.org.il/frames/frames.asp?data=english/english.html

Early Intervention for the Autistic Child:

http://www.mifne-autism.com/

Akim: National Association for the Habilitation of the Mentally Handicapped in Israel

Aleh

Israel Elwyn:

Enosh: The Israel Mental Health Association

Ilan-Israel: Association for Handicapped Children & Adults

Shalva: Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged Children

Shekel: Community Services for the Disabled: