The NAFI/NAFI philosophy centers around the Normative Community Approach (NCA), a framework developed by our founder, Dr. Yitzhak Bakal, that promotes a safe, caring, and deeply respectful environment that nurtures growth.
The NCA establishes an ongoing process for evaluation and feedback that allows everyone to have a voice, including an opportunity to advocate for their point of view. If fully heard, it has been NAFI’s experience that participants become invested stakeholders in the program and in their own treatment.
The NCA creates a working alliance between staff and clients and among groups of clients. It aims to empower all clients – youth and their families – and engages them as partners in their treatment and recovery.
NAFI/NFI’s unique Normative Community Approach emphasizes:
- Identifying and building upon client strengths
- Maintaining physical and emotional safety
- Individualized and family-centered treatment
- Role-modeling, community, teamwork, respect and trust
