Home Treatment Program for Infants in the Israeli-Arab Commu

4 Foreword This guidebook describes the intervention program in the homes of families in the Arab community living in the southern part of the Triangle. The program was implemented by the Family Center in Qalansawe among the families of children with disabilities up to the age of three, who are at high risk due to not receiving the essential treatments required for their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. The Sindian Center in Qalansawe serves children with various special needs and their families. The Center is operated by the Beit Issie Shapiro Association, whose mission is to work towards a society guaranteeing children and adults with disabilities the maximum opportunity to grow and participate in community life. At the Sindian Center, which serves the population of the southern Triangle, there are two main programs:  The Early Childhood Center, which operates a rehabilitation day care program and kindergartens in which, children aged 6 months to 6 years with complex delayed developmental issues, learn and are treated with the various required therapies.  The Family Center, which provides a supporting community network for the families of children and teenagers with special needs. This pilot proved beyond any doubt the necessity and vital importance of the program in the Arab community. During the pilot, we designed the working model of the program, and developed tools and working methods to suit the community and the particular characteristics of the population. The program was designed as a multi-dimensional community program, with the aim to: 1. Create awareness of the situation. 2. Provide early identification of the children, who fall into this category and their families. 3. Offer a focused and time-limited therapeutic service, with the aim of improving the family’s ability to realize its rights and make use of the services existing in the community. Should you require consultations focused on developing a similar program in your community please contac t consulting@beitissie.org.il Early Intervention The field of early intervention is intended to ensure that the families of young children, from birth until the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities, receive support and resources that will help them optimally realize the opportunities for their child’s development. This intervention is carried out in a manner that uniquely services each child