Early Childhood Centers, Inter-Ministerial Model Developed by 360° – The National Program for Children and Youth at Risk: Evaluation Study

Early Childhood Centers (ECCs) were established as part of the National Program for Children and Youth at Risk (NP). They aim to serve as a central resource for children up to age 6, their parents, and community professionals; and to provide services in three core areas: identification of developmental and emotional difficulties; diagnosis and treatment of such difficulties; and work with parents. Their work is based on inter-ministerial agreements. Responsibility for budgeting and implementation is shared by the Ministries of Health, Social Affairs and Education.

In early 2012 local authorities began establishing ECCs or converting centers that provided early childhood services (developmental or others) to work according to the model. Towards the end of 2013, the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute began conducting an evaluation study that monitored the period of establishment, with special emphasis on examining the inter-ministerial ECC operational model. At the start of the study, 23 ECCs had been working for periods ranging from 6 to 12 months. All ECC directors received questionnaires; interviews and focus groups were held with staff from 4 ECCs and with early childhood staff in the localities. At a later date, parents of children who received services in these ECCs were also interviewed.

Selected Findings

  • Most of the ECCs provided assistance and support in all three core areas. In 2015 they provided services to some 4,700 young children.
  • Parents reported great satisfaction with the work with the children, and the counseling and support that they themselves received from ECC staff. They also noted that a main contribution of the ECCs was that they offer developmental and enrichment services that were previously unavailable.
  • The inter-ministerial model stipulates that ECCs should be a  center for guiding and instructing local professionals and that they function as partners, and even leaders, of multidisciplinary processes in the communities (such as local planning committees). According to the directors, little time was devoted during this first year to such activities.
  • The study describes the challenges stemming from the attempt to implement a new model within an existing service system, among them:  a lack of clarity as to the organizational hierarchy between ECC management and other senior management in the municipality, as well as clashes deriving from different regulations in different services.

The study findings were presented in various Ashalim and NP forums. The issues raised in this report served as a basis for updating the inter-ministerial model in 2015, under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office. The job of the ECC directors was redefined, taking into account their role in initiating city-wide endeavors; and inter-ministerial supervisory teams were appointed. A senior inter-ministerial team is continuing to address policy issues such as the authority of the director regarding various services within the ECC. It also deals with implementing unified standards to recruit professionals and developing case-management and information transfer procedures.

The study was commissioned and funded by The National Program and JDC-Israel-Ashalim.

Citing suggestion: Sikron-Vazan, L., & Ben-Rabi, D. (2016). Early Childhood Centers, Inter-Ministerial Model Developed by 360° – The National Program for Children and Youth at Risk: Evaluation Study. RR-732-16. Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute. (Hebrew)