Dr. Dvorit Gilad (Ph.D., University of Haifa) is a faculty member in the School of Social Work. Her research focuses on formulating policy for families coping with disabilities, with an emphasis on gaining a better understanding of the needs of families and disabilities in Israel, through legislation, and development of policies and services. Her research is informed by two primary goals: a) strengthening the ability of family members to become a resource for human capital in society and b) preventing families from weakening as a result of the shifting in power struggle between the family unit and society, as well as within families themselves. Dr. Gilad plans to formulate a focused family policy will provide a safety net offering tools that will enable the family become stronger.