What is rehabilitation
“A man’s spirit is as vast as the sea and contains infinite light, and no man fulfills his earthly obligations using all of his hidden talents (Chazon Ish, Faith and Trust).
We at Bayit Cham believe that’s why we were created… to be at your side throughout the awesome process of self-discovery.
Many people have to cope with periods of crisis, sometimes even for long stretches of time, forcing them to withdraw from their communities, quit their jobs, distance themselves from their friends and even abandon their favorite hobbies and recreational activities – all in order to focus on their battle for survival and emotional health.
After a long period of isolation, when the person feels the angst of loneliness and loss of self-esteem, it’s hard for him to believe that he’ll ever get back on track. We, Bayit Cham’s rehabilitation staff, have deep trust in each person’s innate strength and his potential to improve his quality of life. Our job is to infuse him with hope, optimism and joy of life.
Unlike psychotherapy, the world of rehabilitation is action-oriented, emphasizing a gradual return to function. The goals are practical, stemming from the belief that our actions help shape our emotions. The rehabilitation process takes place in various arenas – among them, vocational rehabilitation, which means returning to the workforce at emotionally satisfying jobs that enable growth; getting out to enrichment courses and social activities; and managing one’s daily routine independently with professional guidance and emotional support.
The rehabilitation process is an opportunity for genuine recovery – to begin anew, to become a person who is truly alive, who strives, takes initiative and achieves goals.
For this purpose, Israel’s Ministry of Health operates a network of resources in the community offering a unique array of services included in a rehabilitation package better known in Israel as a ‘sal shikum – literally, a rehabilitation basket.
Below you’ll find important information about the rehabilitation package as well as a detailed description of the process from start to finish – until the realization of the various services that are available in the community.
What is in the rehabilitation package?
The rehabilitation package includes disability benefits that provide a range of rehabilitation services for those who are eligible within the framework of the ‘Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill in the Community Law’. Services include housing at various levels of independence, employment, social services, leisure activities, education, mentoring, counseling and guidance for families and dental care.The rehabilitation package includes disability benefits that provide a range of rehabilitation services for those who are eligible within the framework of the ‘Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill in the Community Law’. Services include housing at various levels of independence, employment, social services, leisure activities, education, mentoring, counseling and guidance for families and dental care.
The program is operated by Israel’s Ministry of Health.
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Who is eligible
1. A person with a mental health disability from age 18 and above.
2. A person who was established at least 40% disability due to mental illness, in accordance with National Insurance Institute regulations.
For more details, have a look at our description of the entire process, starting with preparing and submitting the application form straight through to actualizing the services included in the rehabilitation package.
Please note:* Bayit Cham professionals help clients throughout the process – how to prepare the application forms and how to represent themselves at the government panel that determines eligibility. * The service is free of charge.
How to obtain a rehabilitation package
The process of obtaining eligibility for a rehabilitation package and its services involves several stages:
1. Applying for recognition of mental health disability of at least 40% (two options)
a. Ask the National Insurance Institute (NII) to determine the percentage of disability (see details of the process on the NII website);
b. Ask a qualified psychiatrist to determine percentage of disability. Applicants who can’t or don’t want to apply to the National Insurance Institute to determine their percentage of mental health disability can request permission from the Ministry of Health to examine them and receive a certified psychiatrist’s verification of mental health disability.
2. Applying to the Regional Rehabilitation Committee
A person whose mental health disability of 40% or more has been determined by the NII or by a certified psychiatrist is entitled to apply for a rehabilitation package by contacting the Regional Rehabilitation Committee.
The Regional Rehabilitation Committee is the entity that determines the applicant’s eligibility and suitability for the rehabilitation package. Upon approval, the applicant can exercise his rights to the services included in the package.
How to apply
Applications to the Rehabilitation Committee are done by *professional referral (recommended) or by the applicant himself. The required forms must be completed and mailed to the Department of Health’s regional office in the applicant’s area of residence.
*e.g. social worker, psychologist, occupational therapist
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3. Summons to a Regional Rehabilitation Committee
After receiving and reviewing the material, a committee composed of three professionals in relevant fields will meet (psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists or psychiatric nurses).
The committee will invite the applicant to attend – usually up to one month from receipt of all required documents – in order to meet him and assess his condition. The applicant can bring along family members as well as anyone else who can be of help.
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4. The Regional Rehabilitation Committee’s decision
The committee’s decision to approve or reject the application, including the reasoning for their conclusion, will be sent by mail to the referrer, or in the case of an independent appeal, to the applicant himself.
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5. Receiving a rehabilitation package
Once the applicant’s eligibility for a rehabilitation package is approved, he and the referring party will look into the available options to choose appropriate frameworks and / or services that answer the needs of his individual rehabilitation program.
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6. Placing the applicant in a rehabilitation framework
After choosing the appropriate framework and contacting them, the applicant will take the necessary action as prescribed by his rehabilitation program.
The regional rehabilitation coordinator will give the rehabilitation service provider the government’s funding approval, assuring that it will finance the applicant’s participation in the framework’s rehabilitation services.
Bayit Cham: guidance every step of the way
After you’ve read the information about a rehabilitation package, you may have questions like:
An endless pile of forms and long waiting periods – again?
How will we find time to deal with this while we’re so preoccupied with the illness and the daily struggle to cope?
Who says it really will help?
Is there any hope…?
How can we do it alone?
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We care about your concerns…
While you’re busy reading the information on this website, we are also very busy – we’re busy providing professional services to help people like you process their applications. Our applicants are surprised and pleased to find that with our continuous support, the procedure is not so intimidating and exhausting. At Bayit Cham, we extend our hand and our heart to hear you out and help you make wise decisions, share your hopes, patiently answer your questions and above all, offer you the warmth of home on your road to recovery.
-Director of the Rehabilitation Department-
Gitit Cohen I Director
073-2800-530
gitit@bayit-cham.org.il
