IMMIGRANT FAMILY IN DISTRESS: ASSISTING IMMIGRANT PARENTS OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS

Abstract

This exploratory and descriptive paper depicts a unique pilot program in Is-rael aimed at assisting and supporting immigrant families from the Former Soviet Un-ion (FSU) whose children have been involved in criminal behavior after the immigra-tion. The program is a joint venture of the Immigrant Parents Forum association, the Welfare Services Department at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption (MIA), and the Juvenile Probation Service (JPS) at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services. It provides structured help to the families of these youngsters, including mediation with the JPS and other officials and public bodies in the community, parental training, guidance, and emotional support. The program description, including case illustra-tions, is based on the program's internal documents and interviews with the following key figures: the chairwoman of the Immigrant Parents Forum, two program coordina-tors, the program supervisor, the director of the JPS, the deputy head of the regional JPS office in charge of implementing the program on a trial basis, and the regional social worker at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption. Although the program is im-plemented in a particular social and political context, it may offer ideas about assisting immigrant parents regardless of origin, ethnicity, and specific social circumstances.