Health Promotion in Residential Educational Facilities – An Evaluation of a Pilot Program

In recent years, a number of health promotion activities have been conducted in several Israeli residential educational facilities. Following the modest success of these activities, it became clear that if meaningful processes of change are to be introduced over time, there is a need to institute a holistic, system-wide concept of health promotion in these facilities. This led to the development of the Health Promotion in Residential Facilities program, which focuses on health management – dispensing of medication, management of medical records, oral hygiene and psychiatry – and health promotion through nutrition and physical exercise. The program is a joint initiative of JDC-Ashalim and the Ministries of Social Affairs and Services, Health and  Education and was implemented as a pilot from 2010-2013 in 10 residential facilities throughout Israel.

The study examined the extent to which the program was implemented and assimilated in the facilities and identified hindering and contributing factors, to ensure effective future implementation in additional institutions. Using  qualitative methods, data were collected in two rounds of in-depth interviews at nine of the 10 institutions participating in the pilot. The first – some 18 months after the pilot began (July-December 2011) and the second – upon completion of the pilot (2013). Most of the interviews were with the directors of the facilities, the nurse, housemother and sports coordinator.

Although the goals of the program included improving health promotion as well as health management, from the onset most of the resources were invested in health management,  following a survey that found deficiencies such as lack of protocols for dispencing medication and for managing case files. Consequently, the more significant changes occurred in the area of health management.

Key findings

Health Management

  • 22 legally validated protocoles were drafted and eventually incorporated into the ongoing work of the facilities. These include medicine dispensation and medical case management.
  • There was a considerable increase in the number of facilities employing a nurse.

Health Promotion

  • Nutrition: In most of the facilities, there was a significant improvement in the following areas: Adherence to menus, reduction in consumption of sweet drinks and candy, and an improved eating culture.
  • Following the program, health was placed on the agenda in each of the institutions. Short-term activities, such as workshops and instruction for the staff and students led  to increased awareness among the staff of the responsibility for the students’ health and their right to live in a healthy environment. Steps were also taken to expand physical activities for the students. According to staff reports, the health promotion  activities contributed to the students’ awareness of a healthy lifestyle.

The findings were presented to the program steering committee and, based on the successes and difficulties, guidelines were developed for implementing health-promoting programs in residential facilities. The findings and recommendations are contributing to broader implementation of the program and the guidelines can contribute to the planning and implementation of a range health promotion programs in additional frameworks.

Citing suggestion: Elroy, I. (2014). Health Promotion in Residential Educational Facilities – An Evaluation of a Pilot Program. RR-670-14. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. (Hebrew)