Advocacy and ombudswork for children: implications of the Israeli experience

Israel's establishment of what is to be the first in a network of child advocacy councils is discussed in relation to child advocacy efforts in the United States. The work and structure of the Jerusalem Children's Council and its Ombudsman for Children is described. It is suggested that Israel's experience in establishing a well-functioning local child advocacy council provides a model for implementing the recommendation of the Joint Commission on the Mental Health of Children to establish a network of local child advocacy councils in the United States.