About the project
Gilat is a program established to promote normal development in children from the most extremely culturally deprived families, and to prepare them for mainstream education. The program originated from observations by a psychologist that certain children were entering school at a level of such severe disadvantage that they were inevitably channeled into special education programs. Gilat’s professionals and trained volunteers work one-on-one with about 50 pre-school- and kindergarten-age children in their homes, often on a daily basis to develop their cognitive skills. Children are referred to the program by Mother & Child Care Centers and social service agencies, such as the Jerusalem Center for Child & Family Developmental Habilitation. The program is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and has a not-for-profit arm.
