Why should we send our son to a residential treatment center in Israel when there are so many options available in the US?
UCanachieve is a Jewish residential treatment center. We offer the highest standards of professional treatment in a milieu that encourages Jewish identity. We view Jewish identity as an important part of your son’s self and we integrate Jewish values and traditions into our therapeutic and educational programming.
Is UCanachieve Orthodox, conservative or reform?
UCanachieve allows each student to live according to his own value system as long as he is respectful of the religious and cultural sensitivities of others. In school and synagogue all students wear kippot or hats. We observe Shabbat and Jewish holidays and expect our students to respect the traditional observance in all public areas. Within personal areas, students are autonomous to choose their level of observance as long as they do not disturb the Shabbat or Holiday atmosphere.
Laws of Kashrut are observed and all students are expected to respect the practice of Kashrut so that we may all eat together in shared eating areas.
UCanachieve accommodates LGBTQ people within a framework that is respectful both of Jewish tradition and each individual’s personal identity.
How long is the average stay at UCanachieve?
The length of stay at UCanachieve is dependent totally upon the student’s level of challenge. Many of our students complete their entire high school education with us. For gifted students, we offer an accelerated high school program in which the student is capable of graduating in less than four years.
Our experience indicates that a minimum of one academic year is necessary for students to internalize the basic skills necessary for return to a mainstream environment. Because of our close relationship with the Bnei Chayil Academy of Jerusalem, some of our students are able to be partially integrated into the mainstream Bnei Chayil program.
Is the degree the student earns at UCanachieve recognized internationally?
Our professional relationship with the University of Missouri Columbia High School and the Bnei Chayil Academy of Jerusalem allows students to obtain fully accredited diplomas recognized by universities in the United States, Europe and Israel.
How is tuition paid?
Tuition is divided into 10 monthly payments and is usually wired into the UCanachieve account in Jerusalem. The initial payment is due prior to the student’s arrival in Israel and the remaining payments are due no later than the 5th of each month.
Where do the students live?
Students live with staff families who are dedicated to providing a home environment for young people in search of their identity. Meals are eaten with the host family and Shabbat and holidays are spent with the family. We house our students in small clusters in different communities. This allows each student to have a nucleus of a social group within his particular living arrangement. On the other hand, the intimacy of the group prevents the living setting from deteriorating into an institutional dormitory. We believe that the experience of family living is essential to the therapeutic process and is a necessary bridge for having the student reintegrate into his own family.
Students with relatives in Israel, who are interested in spending holiday time with their families, are able to do so as long as prior arrangements are made with our staff.
What kind of recreational activities are offered to students during the week?
Students are offered a choice of various cultural and athletic enrichment activities. These include: art training and appreciation, music lessons, personal physical training, individual foreign language instruction, fencing, break-dancing or martial arts.
Does UCanachieve offer vocational training?
Students with an aptitude in particular vocations are placed with mentors in order to learn a particular trade. These include, automobile mechanics, stock and bond trading, plumbing and electrical repairs.
What are the vacation breaks at UCanachieve?
UCanachieve follows the schedule of the Israeli school year. The year formally begins on September 1 and ends of June 20. There are 2 vacations of 2 weeks. The first vacation occurs between Yom Kippur and the end of Sukkot. The second occurs one week before Passover and extends until the end of Passover. During these breaks, students have the option of either returning home to their families or remaining in the program. The decision of whether or not a student returns home is made between the family and the student’s counselors, mentors and therapist.
The months of July and August are also opportunities for students who have reached adequate levels of independent functioning to return to their natural home environments. Some of our students attend summer camps or spend significant parts of the vacation with their families. We offer individualized summer programs over the months of July and August for students who require full year treatment.
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