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

• Activities and continuing education programs for foster children and families as part of the Summit Institute’s foster care community

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 save these at-risk children and provide them with the warm embrace of a safe, welcoming home, help put smiles on their faces and ensure them brighter futures. 

Criteria to become a foster care or emergency shelter 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

· Acknowledgement and acceptance of the role of the foster family: to facilitate the normative development in all aspects of life and to provide an alternative home as long as it is needed

Want to join? For more information contact us.

The Summit Institute’s Emergency Shelter Foster Families

Emergency shelter foster families take in children who are in immediate danger - in accordance with a court order - providing a safe, stress-free environment for three to five months. During this period, the child’s welfare and relationship with his or her biological parents are closely examined. A formal recommendation for the child’s future is then presented to the Social Services Treatment Planning Committee and the child is either returned home or sent to a more permanent foster care family or other external framework.

Emergency shelter foster families provide everything these children need after being suddenly removed from their homes. The families are responsible for the children’s physical, emotional, and educational development while the best possible treatment plan is created. The families offer protection and shelter in a warm, supportive family atmosphere while also helping to facilitate the children’s meetings with their biological parents at the contact center. They play an important role in crafting a plan for each child’s future care.

The National Insurance Institute defines the role of emergency shelter foster families as both voluntary and confidential. The Ministry of Social Welfare provides a monthly stipend as reimbursement for expenses.

The Summit Institute supports emergency shelter foster families thorough professional guidance, assistance for foster children, and resources for basic needs.