The quasi-devolution of policy design during Covid-19 in Israel – The case of family centers for children with disabilities

Abstract

How does the way in which a policy is formulated affect its dynamics and implementation? To answer this question, we analyze the process of designing a policy to provide services to Israeli families of children with disabilities during COVID-19 as a bricolage. This term refers to a policy design process involving incremental modifications or reformulations of existing policies to deal with a large-scale challenge. We describe the interactions among the multiple layers of governance involved in delivering these services nationwide. Although the macro-level policy was designed to be equivalent throughout the country, budget cuts and the devolution of power made local authorities close services during the first COVID-19 lockdown. We conclude that the devolution of power to local governments in times of crisis works only partially. At the micro level, social workers as directors of services acted as bricoleurs to deliver services. Therefore, national government officials must work with local authorities to find solutions for financially unstable municipalities and develop tools to deal with micro-level challenges. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed in the context of a civilian-centric emergency and the COVID-19 crisis.