Presents a brief overview of the development of Israel's heavy dependency on residential placement for child welfare. Recent trends reflect heavier reliance on community-based servcies for disadvantaged youth, but efforts to coordinate and improve such services are only beginning. (KH)

Discusses highlights and implications of special theme issue on residential child care in Israel. Focuses on residential care and national development; the residential setting and the community; residential group care and the family; the group and the family in group care; group care personnel; and residential center clientele. (KH)