Each girl in the Ulpana is “hosted” by a family in Dolev for her entire four years of high school twice a week formally and as often as they like during their free time. The personal relationship with the families strengthens the feeling of belonging to the community and adds to the home-like atmosphere fostered at the school and plays a major role in the rehabilitating of these girls from dysfunctional families.

Since last year the entire dormitory environment has been transformed into 9 mishpachtonim.  A mishpachtonim resembles a group home in that one nuclear family mentors 10-12 troubled girls ages 10-17.

As a result of the girls living 24/7 in a family relationship, the girls are more respectful to their peers and adults, have improved in their study skills and self confidence and feelings of self worth.

For the next five years, the Ministry of Education is researching our mishpachton system and other ideas unique to Ulpanat Dolev curriculum used to improve the issue of family in institutions for youth at risk throughout Israel.