This study was carried out by Michlol- the Evaluation and Measurement Unit of the Shalem Fund
in cooperation with the Community Division of the Disability Administration, the Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Services and the Shalva Association

Out of the total number of children born in Israel every year, about 160 children (0.1% of all births) are born with Down syndrome. The Ministry of Labor, Social Welfare and Social Services sees great importance in the development of intervention programs for preschool children, and because of this, initiated a joint venture project with “Shalva” Association to run the “Me and My Mother” program for 40 children with Down’s syndrome and their families in the Jerusalem District, starting from September 2017. For now, the program take place only in the Jerusalem District, and the purpose of the plan is to expand its activities nationwide
The purpose of this evaluation study is to learn about the contribution of the program both for the mother and to the other members of the household (husband, siblings, extended family) before making the decision to expand and assimilate the program within the framework of the ministry’s services
Hence, the effort of this current evaluation focused on the contribution of the program to the family

Specifically, three main evaluation questions were asked

In which proportion occur a change among the mothers during the first year, in the emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects

What is the main sources of support of the mother, and where the place of the program “Me and My Mother” among them

How the mother, fathers and siblings see the contribution of the “Me and My Mother” program? What are the family’s needs? And what need to improve at the program

In this study participated 23 mothers, 5 fathers and 6 sisters to toddlers with Down syndrome who take place in the “Me and My Mother” program. In light of the evaluation findings, which indicated a significant contribution of the program to the welfare of families, conclusions and recommendations were presented fully in the findings report

To read the executive summary in Hebrew press here

To read the full findings report in Hebrew press here

To view the summarizing presentation of results in Hebrew press here

Key Words : 

People with intellectual developmental disabilities, Toddlers, The family unit, Mothers, Shalem Fund study