Are there programs I have to go through to join the IDF?

Not necessarily – if you are a lone soldier you have different options. Firstly, you can either join the army by making Aliyah (immigrating to Israel) or by volunteering without attaining citizenship. If you choose the volunteer option, the program is called Machal. If you elect to make Aliyah, you then have more options. If you immigrate at the same time you wish to join the army there is a program called Garin Tzabar which helps facilitate the process as well as giving you a kibbutz to live on with other new immigrants joining the army. Lastly, you can make Aliyah and then draft normally, though there are many challenges that can arise without help which is why places like the  Lone Soldier Center among others exist: to help, advise, and provide necessities for lone soldiers.