TZAHARON – AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Within the “Tzaharon” framework there are activities in the afternoon hours between 14:00 to 18:00 on Sundays through Thursdays. It is open to young persons aged 6 – 21 years with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who study during the day within the special education system in the Western Galilee region. The children arrive directly from school and receive a hot meal, rest a little and then participate in a range of leisure activities. These activities include movement and folk-dancing, Snoezelen multisensory therapy in the White Room, creativity and arts, ceramics, papier-mache', hydrotherapeutic workshop in the swimming pool, music – darbuka drums and percussion instruments as well as organ playing, computing by playing thinking games and exercising motoric abilities and going out on field trips. There are also activities in the play park in the Cochav Center grounds, animal-assisted therapy, viewing various video movies, etc.
The team running the framework consists of a social worker, care personnel, activity group instructors and volunteers.
“H” has been a participant in the framework for a number of years and states how much she enjoys taking part in the hydrotherapy in the swimming pool. The workshop instructors remember the long long road “H” has traveled so far and they have high hopes that she will improve in this particular field and may possibly be a participant in Olympic competitions for persons with special needs in the future.
* On Sundays the activities consist of movement and folk-dancing.
* On Mondays the activities are at the work stations and motoric activities in the courtyard.
* On Tuesdays the activities are sensory, activity in the White Room and animal assisted therapy.
* On Wednesdays the activities take place in the play park in the Cochav Center courtyard and also viewing a video movie.
* On Thursdays the activity takes place in the swimming pool as well as music and activities in the White Room.

Activities times Sundays-Thursdays: 14:00 – 18:00 hours
Staff: Professional coordinator, social worker, paramedical care personnel, activity group instructors and volunteers.
Target Population: Special education children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.
Partners: Ma’alot-Tarshiha Municipality, Cochav Center Association, Ministry of Social Affairs, Jewish Agency, UJIA, The Bracha Foundation