A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a model based process used for reaching a joint decision between families (including their childrens), professionals, and community members regarding the concerns that exist towards the children at risk . This process is led by a trained coordinator, who over a period of a few weeks accompanies the family and the people from the community who support them, in order to come together to build an intervention plan to improve the well-being of children and reduce risk. This model, carried out in several countries, is currently run as a pilot in Israel in several cities as a possible alternative to "decision committees" for children at risk. The pilot is currently being implemented with families from diverse cultural groups (e.g. Ultra orthodox, immigrants) and is led by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, JDC-Ashalim and the Ministry of Immigration and Integration. The pilot itself is carried out by Mosaica.
This research group is conducting a longitudinal evaluation study of mixed methods by interviewing parents, children, social workers, coordinators and supportive members from the community. In addition to understanding aspects of FGC practice, we also explore perceptions of risk and protection within cultural context and the relationship between the diverse communities and the welfare systems.

Research team: Prof. Dorit Roer-Strier, Dr. Orna Shemer, Dr. Yasmin Abud-Halabi, Yan Serdtse, Liraz Mizrahi-Levy, Gilat Biton, Vered Cohen, Hodaya Benitah, Mayan Omer, Ahlam Abokirn, Netanya Mischel, Ahmad Drawshy, Fatima Abusara.

For more information: Dr. Orna Shemer: ornashemer4@gmail.com