442 new families joined Israel’s foster care system over the past year despite a period of uncertainty, security tensions, and social and economic challenges, according to the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry.
The ministry released the statistics ahead of World Foster Day, which occurs annually on May 31.
According to the statement, the ministry has recently expanded financial and training support for foster families and has promoted pending legislation to remove age restrictions for foster parents.
Statistics released by the ministry show a total of 3,560 children currently within Israel’s foster care system, with an average age of 6.17 years.
In addition, a total of 905 disabled people, both children and adults, are cared for by the system.
Minister of Social Welfare and Social Security Haim Katz commented on the addition of hundreds of new families to the system, describing it as “evidence of mutual responsibility and social resilience.”
“Foster families provide a warm home, stability, and a sense of belonging to children and youth in Israel,” said Katz.
‘A stable home for children’
The ministry’s Senior Deputy Director, Eti Kissos, emphasized the importance of foster families, which she said constitute a “stable home for children.”
“We are committed to continuing to support and strengthen the families that provide children with a stable and safe home, and to giving them the tools and support to continue this important mission,” she added.
Social worker Adi Mekel, the ministry’s Director of the Foster Care Service, invited additional families to join the system.
“We are seeing more families joining foster care out of a mission and a genuine desire to impact the lives of children in need of a warm and supportive home,” said Mekel.
