In order to improve the lives of children with special needs, it is essential to address the legal and bureacratic structure which governs their lives.
In 2000, the first Rehabilitation Daycare Center Law was passed in the Knesset, entitling infants between the ages of one to three years, with disabilities, to early intervention daycare.
However, enlightened though the law was, it was too narrow and there was no budget to provide for its full implementation. The criteria for entitling children with therapeutic daycare excluded many infants and toddlers with disabilities and unfortunately, to this day, many children still are not eligible.
In 2001, in order to bring pressure to bear on the authorities to expand and improve the law, Beit Issie Shapiro formed a broad-based coalition which it leads, including fifty parents’ organizations and associations operating rehabilitation daycare centers. It's mandate is to address the problems with the law.
The Early Intervention Coalition has grown into a strong force, having already brought about considerable improvements in the law and its provisions. At the same time, new issues have been identified which are being addressed. Our next goal is to get the law expanded to allow babies who do not need therapeutic day-care to be included in community day-care facilities. We estimate that there are some 1000 children who fall into this category.
The project was pioneered by Idit Gudes-Greenbaum, LLB - and is now led by Valerie Zilke, who can be contacted at: valeriez@beitissie.org.il.
In July 2008, the Coalition made a most significant breakthrough when the law was modified to assure all infants with special needs over the age of 6 months, the right to early intervention services.
Impact:
800 infants received services from the first stage of the law. 230 additional infants not previously entitled to day-care, now receive these services. We believe that today all children with severe disabilities are now able to receive the early intervention that they need.
The success of the early intervention coalition demonstrates that when an enlightened and skillful group of people confront an issue together they can become a powerful force for social change.
An important side benefit of the work of the coalition has been an improvement in the cooperation between parent organizations and other services, as well as a stronger sense of civic involvement and social activism.
Other issues targeted by the coalition
The expansion of the law to cover all infants and provide access to early intervention from a very young age.
The issue of transporting infants to therapeutic daycare centers.
The issue of ensuring that availablity of specially qualified nursing staff for children with serious medical conditions.
The procedures for implementing the law, have to be refined.
The coalition also advises advise parents and professionals on the most effective ways to negotiate and advocate. | 
