Program Background

Children living in residential group homes have been removed from their family homes due to dysfunctional, neglectful and abusive parenting. Although the parents are not living with their children, most have maintained their legal status as guardians of their children. Unlike in America, where children are often put up for adoption within a short period of time, in Israel maintaining a relationship with the birth parents, no matter how difficult, is considered preferable. Children need roots and a connection with their extended families. Adoption is only considered an alternative after all attempts at rehabilitating the family relationship have failed. Therefore, in general, parental contact with the children is encouraged because eventually parents and children will be reunited at home. For the child, the quality of the parent-child relationship, both while the child is living in the group home and when returned to the familial home, has a profound effect on his/her development and future adjustment.

While the child is adjusting to living away from their home, the parents are struggling with their absentee relationship with their children. Most parents are unaware of the key role they still play in the child's development. They often do not know how to handle their children, are confused about their role, and are uncertain where they stand regarding their parental responsibility. Most express a desire to stay involved in their children's lives, but don't know how.

The re-establishment of a more positive parent-child relationship is a long and difficult process. Individual counseling and work is done with the children in the group homes and separately with their parents at home. Few group homes are equipped to provide parent- child or family therapy.

The Oded Parent-Child Summer Camp environment is stress-fee and non-threatening. It is staffed by professionals and child care helpers that work with the children and their parents to help them reach out to one another. There are no outside distractions of home care, and work. Time is solely devoted to the improvement of communications and building relationships between the children and their parents.

Program Objectives

The Oded Summer Camp, named after Oded Messer, a deceased Yeladim Board member who promoted the idea, has two objectives:

1) To initiate change in or enhance the relationship between parent and child. In general the relationships between these parents and their children are troubled - they need immediate and on-going attention and supervision by trained staff at all times. Parents are made to understand the important role they have in their children's development and the responsibilities they have as parents; it is hoped that they will then be less ambivalent about their relationship with their children.

2) To encourage the social workers in the group homes, as well as the social workers in the parent’s home community, to help develop the process of communication between parents and their children throughout the year. It is vital, once a relationship has begun to develop, to maintain the momentum and learning for all parties involved.

Program Operation

Group homes are notified in the spring about the summer camp in August. Specific criteria are listed regarding which parents and children will benefit most from the summer camp experience. Parents elected to participate are interviewed by camp professionals. The program is explained in detail to them and their readiness, sociability and ability/openness to change are evaluated. A group is then selected to take part in the camp.

The camp session is one-week long and takes place during the summer school holiday. Parents and their children are divided into small groups, with almost the same amount of staff as parents.

The camp staff includes a director, social workers, group counselors, group leaders and their assistants. Parents and children participate in various activities throughout the week: art, sports, social games and field trips. All activities are closely supervised by the professionals and any immediate intervention necessary is taken.

Regular staff meetings and evaluations take place during the camp session. Individual situations requiring special handling are immediately addressed. A final evaluation and report is made at the end of the session regarding each parent/child participant. Achievements and breakthroughs are highlighted and a course of action for continued intervention is recommended.

Summary

Yeladim's Oded Parent-Child Camp is a step towards the establishment or rehabilitation of the critical relationship between a child and his/her parent. This fundamental connection has a direct bearing on the child's development during the formative years. Without intervention and guidance, the relationship may be irrevocably disrupted. The Summer Camp helps in this rehabilitation process; the continuation of counseling and therapy throughout the year leads the way to a better understanding and relationship between parent and child.