The Mehasut le-Atzma’ut program is designed to support wards of the Youth Protection Authority (YPA) as they leave residential care to embark on independent living. It has been implemented since 2010 by the Elem nonprofit organization by means of coordinators who provide the “graduates” with intensive and personal support and assist in linking them to various services. The program is funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Services (MSAS) with the support of the Gandyr Foundation.
An evaluation study of the program was conducted by the Institute with the goal of examining the integration of the graduates into the community, its contribution to participants, and its implementation for purposes of improvement and decision-making on its continuation. The data were collected from 2011 to 2013 in in-depth interviews with YPA personnel, program staff, community service representatives, and graduates approaching the end of the program; and in questionnaires for coordinators on all graduates who participated in the program during the study.
The program manages to provide support according to its principles, offering graduates a response adjusted to their needs. The study found that most of the graduates are satisfied with the support and appreciate the assistance. However, coordinators find it difficult to adhere to the scheduled frequency of meetings due to their heavy workload. Steps have been taken to ease the workload, but it is still heavy and the number of graduates per coordinator has risen.
The main findings on the graduates are:
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Most are aged 19-20; half are girls – exceeding their proportion of the youth population in YPA facilities.
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The great majority has little emotional support; often, a coordinator is their only source of support.
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Their needs are very complex in eight areas (e.g., employment, studies, housing, health and skills of living independently); the program manages to provide some intervention in about five areas on average.
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Most have integrated into normative pursuits – work, military or national service, and relatively fewer – into studies. Most graduates function well in their pursuits though few are satisfied with them. All have at least one source of income but approximately 80% require further financial assistance.
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About half have returned to live at home whereas the rest have found other residential solutions. However, some 60% still require assistance with housing and consider their current residence temporary.
The study was initiated by the Division for Research, Planning and Training and conducted together with the YPA, Division of Adolescents, Young Adults and Correctional Services of the MSAS. It was accompanied by a steering committee. The findings were presented at a number of forums. For example, a special seminar was held with all the parties involved to discuss the implications of the study. The findings have brought the further needs of the graduates to the surface, reinforce the importance of supporting them, and serve as a basis for continued implementation.
Citing suggestion: Levi, D., & Kahan-Strawczynski, P. (2014). Mehasut le-Atzma’ut (From Dependence to Independence) : Support for Former Wards of the Youth Protection Authority. RR-661-14. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. (Hebrew)