"They see them coming and leaving": The painful story of children waiting for a foster family

According to data from the Ministry of Welfare, 64 children are currently waiting for foster families across the country. Of these, 12 are three years old or younger, 39 are between four and seven, and 13 are eight or older. The ministry explains that the rate of infant abandonment in Israeli maternity wards and cases where parents are deemed unfit is minimal compared to the rest of the world, amounting to a single-digit number annually. Experts note that as children grow older, it becomes harder to find a foster family, which is why older children often wait in the system for longer periods.

Daniel (a pseudonym) was born a few months ago in a hospital in the center of the country. In his first days, it became clear he could not grow up with his biological parents. Within two weeks, a foster family was found, and he left the hospital directly into their care. In an emergency center in the north, brothers Yanai and Yarden (pseudonyms), aged 6 and 8, have been waiting for over two years. Since being removed from their home, they have lived together in the center, waiting for a family that will accept them both. Meanwhile, other children arrive and leave, while they continue to wait.

These cases illustrate one of the greatest challenges of the Israeli foster care system. The younger the child, the easier it is to find a foster family quickly. Conversely, older children, sibling groups, and children with disabilities face much longer waits.

"The children for whom we have the most difficulty finding families are siblings, children aged 5 to 10, and children with disabilities," says social worker Maayan Cohen-Lavana, director of diagnostics and placements at the Adnam-Adam organization (Amal Ve-Maavar group). "Our challenge is to find families for those who have been waiting the longest. Foster care is more than just a roof; it is therapeutic parenting. Children who come to us have endured difficult life experiences and need a family that can help them open a new, better chapter."

According to her, the long wait exacerbates the situation: "The longer a child stays in an emergency center, the deeper their difficulties become. Emergency centers do vital work, but they are intended as temporary structures. When a child stays for a long time, they see instructors change and other children come and go, which damages their ability to trust adults. Emotional, behavioral, and academic gaps continue to widen."

"Removal from home is always the last resort"

Cohen-Lavana emphasizes that children are not removed from their homes due to minor difficulties: "The situation must be very serious. The decision is made only when there is a real risk to the child's physical, emotional, or mental development. We mainly encounter parents dealing with addictions or untreated mental illnesses. In such cases, the children pay the price through neglect, developmental issues, and a lack of safety."

The war and security situation have also affected the system. "Foster care requires emotional availability. The last three years have been turbulent for many families. While some chose to open their homes during these uncertain times, others paused the process because they felt they lacked the strength," Cohen-Lavana notes.

Amendment to the law to expand the circle of foster families

Before the election recess, the Knesset approved an amendment to the Foster Care Law that abolished the age limit for foster parents (previously 56). This means people whose biological children have grown up can now serve as foster families. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Welfare is leading a broad public campaign to recruit new families.

Social worker Adi Mekel, director of the foster care service, says: "Behind every waiting child is a story of hope. A foster family does not erase the child's past, but provides a safe home and adults who believe in them. We invite families who can open their hearts to join us." Interested families can contact the Adnam-Adam organization at *4561.

"Parents whose children have grown up often have more emotional availability and experience," adds Cohen-Lavana. "We believe the amendment will allow more people to open their homes, increasing the chances of finding families for children who have been waiting the longest and shortening their wait times."