Goals  To increase the local authority's impact in dealing with needy populations, particularly children and youth at risk and their families  To instill management and financial practices that will set the local authority on the path to social and economic stability

Overview Local authorities in Israel face many difficulties due to a range of economic, political and social factors, such as cuts in municipal budgets, large deficits, absorption of large numbers of new immigrants (some with distinctive welfare needs), and – in some places – emergency security situations. As a result, in the past two years there have been cutbacks in universal services provided to citizens in the areas of education, welfare and health. To make matters worse, in most localities there is no comprehensive policy regarding children and youth, and the responsibility falls on several municipal departments. In practice, services are provided both by municipal agencies and by non-profit organizations. The upshot is that existing programs do not add up to a rational and comprehensive system of services, the life-span of programs tends to be short as their funding is insecure, and there are no criteria for quality.

Sacta-Rash views this situation as a challenge and an opportunity to develop creative solutions, with an emphasis on greater efficiency in pooling and utilization of financial and human resources. Focusing on six peripheral localities – Yokneam, Shlomi and Tirat Carmel in the north, and Ofakim, Dimona and Kiryat Malachi in the south – the Foundation is directing a process that brings staff from various municipal departments round the same table to implement the following major changes:  Systematic decision-making, based on reliable and coordinated information  Development of work methods that ensure pooling of resources and their efficient use  Setting of policy and goals regarding children and youth, with clearly defined areas of authority and responsibility  Empowerment of local leadership, including operating bodies  Preparation of a municipal economic and a master plan (if necessary) The program was launched toward the end of 2004. By the summer of 2005, each local authority – led by the mayor and the work team he has appointed as responsible for the intervention – has nailed down the issues that it wants to prioritize, such as early childhood, leisure culture for youth, setting up databases, training youth in public administration.

Partners Sacta-Rashi's professional and financial resources are joining those of the local authorities.