Name of the Scheme – Mission VATSALYA
Department – Social Welfare
Scheme for : Individual and Institutions
Where to Apply : Block Level Office ,District Child Protection Unit, Directorate office, EAC Office,
When to Apply : Any time of the year
Children are the future citizens of India and are equal and important part of our culture
and Society. Being vulnerable by ways of age, strength and experience, they merit care and nurturance on one hand, while on the other hand, they carry the aspiration of the society on their young shoulders. A child is a unique person carrying numerous possibilities within, which
could blossom given the right care and support from parents, care givers and community.
India is home to the largest number of children in the world, with nearly 39 per cent of its estimated 1.25 billion population under the age of 18 years
.
The Constitution of India guarantees ‘Fundamental Rights’ to all citizens irrespective of age. In addition, it also mandates the Government under its Directive policy (article 39(f)) ‘that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment of statutory service delivery structures, Institutional and Non-Institutional care for children in need of care and protection and the children in conflict with law.
Mission Vatsalya is the attempt to comprehensively comprehend and provide holistic solution along with road map for growth and development of all Children including those meriting protection of the State.
INTRODUCTION
The Ministry of Women & Child Development is the nodal Ministry for ensuring welfare of children, by way of policy, legislative & schematic interventions along with coordination with other Ministries and Organisations. The National Children policy, (as revised in 2013), National Plan of Action for children, 2016, the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children)Act 2015,as amended in 2021, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, as amended in 2019 are some of the important legislations passed by the Indian Parliament in favour of children. India is also a signatory to important international treaties i.e. the United Nations Convention on Rights of Child and the Hague convention on adoption of children.
The Ministry has been implementing schemes for care and development of children in need. Prior to 2009-10, there were three small schemes namely, Programme for Juvenile Justice for Children in need of care and protection, and Children in conflict with Law; Integrated Programme for street children; and Scheme for assistance to homes for children (Shishu Grah).
All the three schemes were incorporated in a single centrally sponsored scheme called Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). The ICPS has been implemented by the Ministry since 2009-2010. The scheme was reinvented as“Child Protection Services” Scheme.
- Vision:
To secure healthy & happy childhood for each and every child in India, ensure opportunities to enable them discover their full potential and assist them in flourishing in all respects, in a sustained manner
- Mission:
To foster a sensitive, supportive, and synchronized ecosystem for children as they transit different ages and stages of their development
1.3 Goal:
The scheme aims to :
i) Support and sustain Children in difficult circumstances
ii) Develop context-based solutions for holistic development of children from varied backgrounds
iii) Providescopeforgreenfieldprojectsforencouraginginnovativesolutions
iv) Cementconvergentactionbygapfunding,ifrequired
- Objectives:
The key objectives of Mission Vatsalya are:
- Prioritisation of children in the scheme of Administration
- Ensuring Children’s right to Survival, Development, Protection and Participation
- To establish essential services and strengthen emergency outreach, institutional and non-institutional care within the family and community, counselling and support services at the national, regional, state and district levels
- To ensure appropriate inter-sectoral response at all levels, coordinate and network with all allied systems to promote convergent efforts for seamless service delivery to children
- To strengthen child protection at family and community level, equip families and communities to identify risks and vulnerabilities affecting children, create and promote preventive measures to protect children from situations of vulnerability, risk and abuse
- Encourage private sector partnerships and interventions to support children within the framework of law.
- Raise public awareness, educate public about child rights, vulnerabilities and measures for protection sponsored by government and engage community at all levels as stakeholder in ensuring the best interest of children
- To build capacities of Duty holders & service providers at all levels
- Monitor progress on objective parameters against well-defined Outputs and Outcomes.
The State Child Protection Society as established under erstwhile Integrated Child Protection Scheme/ Child Protection Services in every State/UT shall continue as the fundamental unit for the implementation of the Mission Vatsalya. The SCPS shall assist State Child Protection Committee (SCPC) as envisaged under the JJ Act, 2015, for coordinating and ensuring effective implementation of legislations, policies, and Schemes for child welfare &protection in the State viz. the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, as amended in 2021, Protection of children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 as amended in 2019, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) 1956; Guardians and Wards Act (GAWA) 1890; Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986; Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006 and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1986, Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994, Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (CPCR Act) along with Rules and Regulations made there under, and any other Act, Rule, Regulation and policy that comes into force for protecting child rights.
1.4 District Level Service Delivery Structures
The District Magistrate (DM) shall anchor the implementation of the Mission in every District. The DM shall facilitate effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as amended in 2021 and all other legislations, Rules and regulations for ensuring child rights and protection in the district, viz. Protection of children from Sexual Offence Act,2012 as amended in 2019, Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) 1956; Guardians and Wards Act (GAWA) 1890; Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986; The prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 and Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1986, Pre- Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994, CPCRAct,2005 etc. and any other Act that comes into force for protecting child rights;
The DM shall be assisted by the District Child protection Unit for delivering her responsibilities.
1.4.1. Roles and Responsibilities of DM
The Role and Responsibilities of the DM shall be as follows:
- The District Magistrate shall anchor the scheme in the District
- The DM shall act as the guardian of these children for all practical purposes.
- The DM shall ensure need and resource mapping exercise in terms of the children especially children in difficult circumstances in the District on annual basis.
- Develop an annual District plan of action in consultation with all stakeholders including Police, Health, Education, Labour, Skill development departments, Child Development Project Officers, DWCDOs, for Survival, Development, Protection and Participation of Children in the District.
- Supervise implementation of the plan in a time bound manner
- Share the plan with the State government followed by implementation report.
- Engage with the State government, other Districts and Agencies for restoration, rehabilitation and mainstreaming of children
- Secure benefits and entitlements to the child under other existing schemes of the government
- Satisfy herself/himself before placing the child within non institutional care or within CCI, that the action is being taken in the best interest of child
- Conduct surprise inspections of the Childcare institutions
- Facilitate aftercare in terms of supplementary education, career counselling facility, vocational training, for them at appropriate time
- Encourage participation and contribution of the public and private sector, academic institutions and other stakeholders towards group foster-care, sponsoring the higher education of these children, institutionalising scholarships, facilitating loan for studies and small businesses of the children.
- Hold monthly meeting with DCPU, CDPO, Childline, Police, Education department, Health Department, DLSA and other stakeholders to discuss issues related to children in the district to discuss the following:
(i) Needs of children and availability of resources
(ii) Childline report
(iii) Food and nutrition management
(iv) Vaccination and other health services, including health education
(v) Enrolment into schools including residential schools
(vi) Sports facilities for children
(vii) Pattern of crime and violence against children
(viii) Actions taken to arrest crime against children
(ix) Pattern of crime by children
(x) Actions taken to curb crime by children
(xi) Availability and quality of Child care Institutions for children
(xii) Adoption matters including delay in the process, if any
(xiii)Status of sponsorship and foster-care
(xiv)Arrangements for Aftercare
(xv) Report regarding missing, lost, run away or dead children in CCIs and in District
(xvi)Coordination arrangements for restoration of children
(xvii) Any other matter deemed necessary with respect to children
- DM may interact with Children as and when it is possible
- Ensure placement of suggestion box in schools, Child care Institutions and other places with sizeable population of children and look into the complaints and suggestions given by the children and take appropriate action.
- The District Magistrate shall be the grievances redressal authority for the purpose of this scheme.
- For the purpose of this scheme, DM may include ADM, subject to due authorization by the DM.
Legal cum Probation Officers
Under the supervision of the DCPO, the Legal cum Probation Officer shall coordinate and supervise all the programs and activities relating to Juveniles in Conflict with law. He/she would provide support to JJB at district levels. Every district shall have a maximum of three Legal cum Probation Officers on the basis of geographical spread and child population of the district. Probation Officers appointed under the Probation of Offenders Act, where available may also function as Legal cum Probation Officers. In case the Juvenile Justice Board has a heavy caseload, the State Government can appoint one full time Legal cum Probation Officer to the Board. The specific roles and responsibilities would include:
(i) Collect and compile data on dimensions of the juvenile delinquency in the district;
(ii) Attend proceedings of the JJB regularly;
(iii) Support JJB in conducting inquiries;
(iv) Prepare and submit social investigation reports;
(v) Maintain case files and other registers;
(vi) Escort juveniles to a home/fit person/fit institution from the JJB;
(vii) Undertake follow up visits of juveniles released under supervision and after release;
- Establish linkages with voluntary sector for facilitating rehabilitation and social reintegration of juveniles.
The Legal cum Probation Officer should have a legal background and a good understanding of child rights and protection issues. He/she would be responsible for providing free legal aid services to children/juveniles. He/she shall also provide necessary support to the CWC and JJB in the legal matters relating to all children coming under the purview of the Juvenile Justice Act as and when required.
4.4.4.5. Counselor: Each Child Protection Unit at District level shall have a counselor for providing counseling services to children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection as well as their parents and families. The counselor shall also work with the CWC and JJB at district level as and when required. Counsellor at the DCPU will be responsible for supervising counsellors in the institutions and also for providing counselling support to children and families coming in contact with the DCPU.
4.4.4.6. Social Worker : Each Child Protection Unit shall have two Social Workers(at least one woman) who would be responsible for coordinating field level activities in their respective cluster of sub-divisions as assigned by the DCPO. These Social Workers shall be assisted by the Outreach Workers for carrying out field level interventions. The two Social Workers, of which one shall be a woman, shall also assist the SJPU in discharging their duties as and when required.
4.4.4.7. Outreach Workers : Each Child Protection Unit at district level shall have three Outreach Workers reporting to Protection Officers and Legal cum Probation Officer. Each Outreach Worker shall assist their respective Officer in carrying out their roles and responsibilities.
They shall work as a link between the community and the District Child Protection Unit and shall be responsible for identifying families and children at risk and offer necessary support services. The Outreach Workers shall also be responsible for developing good networking and linkages with the anganwadi workers and members of panchayat/local bodies at community/block levels. They should also encourage volunteerism amongst the local youth and involve them in the child protection program at block and community levels.
4.4.6. Block and Village level Child protection Committees shall be institutionalised in every District, in order to reach out to children, engaging with Communities and encouraging them to take ownership of the well being of Children in their vicinity.
(a) Block Level Child Protection Committee: Every Block/ward in a municipal area shall have a Child Protection Committee in order to reach out to children, to protect their best interest and prevent/ protect the children from any kind of distress situation.
- Major Functions of the BLCPC:
- Ensuring safe public spaces and child friendly atmosphere in the Block/Ward
- To act as the bridge between District administration and villages.
- Strategy planning to address gaps in services by way of organising monthly community assembly and collecting feedback;
- Inspection and assessment of implementation of schemes and programs for children in the area
- Leveraging MLA and MPLAD fund for supplementing the Mission
- Reporting to DM through DCPU regarding vulnerability hot- spots and strategy devised for addressing it.
(b) Village Level Child Protection Committee: Every village shall have a Child Protection Committee in order to reach out to children, to protect their best interest and prevent/ protect the children from any kind of distress situation. Composition: Head of the Gram Panchayat: Chairperson Anganwadi Worker : Member Secretary Members:
- i) Representative of BLCPC
- ii) Two Representative of Mothers in the village
- iii) LocalSchoolTeacher
- iv) LocalASHA
- v) One boy child (aged between 14 to 18 years)
- vi) OneGirlChild(agedbetween14to18years)
Major Functions of the VLCPC
i) Ensuring safe public spaces and child friendly atmosphere in the Village
ii) Ensuring smooth implementation of schemes addressing Children
iii) RegularmonitoringofdisbursementanddaytodayactivitiesoftheAnganwadicenters
iv) KeepingacheckonqualityandfrequencyofclassesunderEarlyChildhoodCareand Education (ECCE) at Anganwadi Centre.
v) Identification of children in distress situations in the village
vi) MaintainingwatchoverPhysicalandMentaldevelopmentofchildreninthearea Identification of special children and referrals as per requirement
vii) Information dissemination regarding best interest of children and benefits available under government programmes
viii)Organising training and awareness camps
ix) Developing Childfriendly Panchayats with ‘Children’s wellbeing’ as an agenda during
Panchayat meetings.
CHAPTER 5 – STATUTORY SUPPORT SERVICE 5.1. Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as amended in 2021, makes it mandatory to establish at least one Child Welfare Committee in each district as the authority to dispose of cases for the care, protection, treatment, development and rehabilitation of children in need of care & protection and to provide for their basic needs and protection of human rights.
The Composition and functioning of the CWC shall be in accordance with the JJ Act 2015 as amended in 2021 and its subordinate legislation. Mission Vatsalya shall provide infrastructure and financial support to the States/UTs for facilitating setting up of CWC’s in every district and to ensure their effective functioning.
Location of CWC
As provided under the JJ Act, 2015, the Child Welfare Committee shall hold its sittings in the premises of a Children’s Home.
Space and Infrastructure
The Children’s Homes being constructed shall have two rooms of 300 Sq. ft. each for the CWC. Where an existing Children’s Home has the required space available within the premises, the same shall be provided to the Committee. However, in districts where there is no Children’s Home or the existing Children’s Home has no space for the CWC, funds will be provided under the Mission for constructing or renting suitable premises for the CWC.
The Committee shall hold its sittings in one room while the other room should be used as the waiting area for Children and their families. The CWC premises should have a welcoming ambience. The Committee room where the CWC holds its sittings shall have a child friendly environment. Necessary furniture, computer and other basic equipment shall be made available. The waiting area should have provisions for toilet and drinking water along with indoor recreation facilities for children.
The Children’s Home where the CWC is holding its proceedings shall provide support of counsellor and peon to the CWC on those days when the sitting is taking place. DCPU will also provide legal and counselling support where necessary.
5.2. Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB)
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 as amended in 2021, makes it mandatory to establish at least one Juvenile Justice Board in each district as the authority to dispose of matters related to Children in conflict with law.
The Composition and functioning of the JJB shall be in accordance with the JJ Act 2015 as amended in 2021 and its subordinate legislation. Mission Vatsalya shall provide infrastructure and financial support to the States/UTs for facilitating setting up of JJBs in every district and to ensure their effective functioning.
Location of JJB
As provided by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, a JJB shall hold its sittings in the premises of an Observation Home.
Space and Infrastructure
The Observation Homes being constructed shall have two rooms of 300 Sq. ft. each for the JJB. Where an existing Observation Home has the required space available within the premises, the same shall be provided to the Board. However, in districts where there is no Observation Home or the existing Observation Home has no space for the JJB, funds will be provided under the Mission for constructing or renting suitable premises for the JJB.
The Board shall hold its sittings in one room while the other room should be used as the waiting area for Children and their families. The Board premises should have a welcoming ambience. The Committee room where the Board holds its sittings shall have a child friendly environment. Necessary furniture, computer and other basic equipment shall be made available. The waiting area should have provisions for toilet and drinking water along with indoor recreation facilities for children.
The Observation Home where the JJB holds its proceedings shall provide support of counsellor and peon to the JJB on those days when the sitting is taking place. DCPU will also provide legal and counselling support where necessary.
5.3. Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUS)
The Juvenile Justice Act 2015 provides for setting up of Special Juvenile Police Units in every district and city to coordinate and upgrade the police interface with children. All the police officers, designated as juvenile/child welfare officers in the district or city, are members of the SJPU.
As a statutory requirement, the Mission Vatsalya shall provide for two paid social workers in each SJPU for supporting the unit. The District Child Protection Unit shall appoint these social workers and depute their services to the SJPU as and when necessary. Of the two Social Workers, at least one should be a woman and another having expertise in child protection. Financial Support for these social workers are covered under DCPU component.
CHAPTER 6 – INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES
6.1. Institutional Care
The Mission shall support the following type of Child Care Institutions in the Districts:
- Child Care Institutions for Children in need of care and protection
- Children’s Home
- Open Shelter
- Specialised Adoption Agencies
- Child Care Institutions for Children in conflict with law
- Observation Homes
- Special Homes
- Place of Safety
6.1.1 Child Care Institutions (CCI):
The CCIs as envisaged under the JJ Act, 2015 as amended in 2021, shall serve as a home away from home and provide comprehensive child care facilities to children for ensuring their all-round development. They shall work towards enhancing the capabilities and skills of children and work with their families with the view of facilitating their reintegration and rehabilitation into mainstream society.
(i) Children’s home shall be established/ supported for rehabilitation of Children in need of care and protection. Separate homes based on age, gender or special needs of children could be established/supported by the State/District.
(ii) Observation homes are required to be established for children alleged to be in conflict with law. While Special homes are to be established for supporting children found guilty by the JJB or Children
(iii) Place of Safety shall be established to host older or more aggressive children in conflict with law.
All the above homes may have similar facilities in terms of infrastructure, caregivers, service providers or any other component. The homes could be either for 50 children or 25 children, depending upon the need of children in a particular area.
(iv) Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAA) may be established/supported to look after children below six years of age. These Agencies will facilitate adoption of the children who are legally free for adoption. Besides, they may also look after young children in need of care and protection, though not available for adoption. SAAs may also be established near or within jail premises, to provide care and protection to young children of incarcerated parents.
(v) Open Shelters may be established/supported to look after children of working parents, in street situation, including child beggars. These shelters will be used for educating, counselling and imparting life skills to children in difficult circumstances, who otherwise live in their families.
6.4. Open Shelters for Children in Need in Urban and Semi-Urban Areas
Target Group
Open Shelters in urban and semi-urban areas will cater to all children in need of care and protection particularly beggars, child substance abusers, street and working children, rag pickers, small vendors, street performers, orphaned, deserted, trafficked and run-away children, children of migrant population, children living in unauthorized areas/slums, children of socially marginalized groups and any other vulnerable group of children.
Objectives
These Open Shelters, run by both NGOs and State Governments/UTs, are not meant to provide permanent residential facilities for children but will complement the existing institutional care facilities. The objectives of these Open Shelters include:
(i) To attract above-mentioned target group of children from their present vulnerable life situation to a safe environment;
- (ii) To wean these children away from the vulnerable situations by sustained interventions;
- (iii) To guide these children away from high risk and socially deviant behaviours;
- (iv) To provide opportunities for education and develop their potential and talent;
- (v) To enhance life-skills and reduce their vulnerabilities to exploitation;
- (vi) To reintegrate these children into families, alternative care and community; and
- (vii) To carryout out regular follow up to ensure that children do not return to vulnerable
6.5. Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA)- facilitating Adoption
The Mission supports State and NGO run Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) where adoptable children of below six years of age are provided residential care. The SAA must be registered under the appropriate provisions of the JJ Act, 2015 as amended in 2021 and follow the Adoption regulations issued by Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). It shall work under the overall supervision of the District Child Protection Unit and assist District Magistrate in administering Adoption programme
The specific roles and responsibilities of these SAAs shall include:
Child related functions:
a) Admission and registration of orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children;
b) Reporting the arrival of a child to the CWC;
c) Post CWC order, report registration of the child to DCPU and SARA;
d) Uploading details of all children on the portal maintained by the Ministry
e) Prepare individual care plan for each child within a month in coordination with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and forward it within a fortnight for approval to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), once agreed upon by the DCPU. The SAA shall report to the DCPU on the execution of the individual child care plan within six months of the care plan being approved by the CWC.
f) The individual care plan to be reviewed every six months and no child shall remain in the care of a SAA for more than a period of one year.
g) Preparation of child study report and physical examination report;
h) Assist CWC in enquiry as and when required;
i) Pre and Post adoption counselling to children;
j) Matching of the child;
k) Facilitate placement of the child either in adoption or in pre adoption foster care with the help of District Placement Committee chaired by DCPO with two members respectively from the respective SAA and Protection Officer – Non-institutional Services;
l) Assist DM in finalising adoption order and placement of a child;
m) Obtaining birth certificate of the child;
n) Post adoption follow up;
o) Archiving relevant records of birth parents, their medical/case history, case records of the child, birth parents and adoptive parents;
p) Maintaining benchmark Standards of Care, hygienic premises, and adequate facilities to care for the new born babies, infants and toddlers.
q) Furnishing report to DM though DCPU and SARA for indicating the rehabilitation plan for each child admitted in the SAA.
(ii) Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) related functions
a) Facilitating Registration of prospective adoptive parents on the designated portal
b) Reporting the registration of PAPs to the DCPU and SARA;
c) Counselling of biological parents/unwed Mother surrendering the child and for prevention of abandonment and rehabilitation of child;
d) Carrying out Home Study Report;
e) Matching of the child with PAPs;
f) Facilitating placement of the child in pre adoption foster care;
g) Pre and post adoption counselling to all PAPs;
h) Carrying out court procedures for adoption or placement of a child; and
i) Carrying out post adoption follow up.
Cradle Baby Reception Centre
Recognizing the fact that over 80% of districts in the country do not have facilities to receive or offer temporary shelter for children in crisis situation, especially those who are abandoned and vulnerable to be trafficked, the Mission envisages setting up Cradle Baby Reception Centres in at least one SAA (preferably government) per District,. This Reception Centre shall be run by the SAA from its premises and shall be equipped with all basic facilities for infants. The primary objective of these Reception Centres shall be to rescue the abandoned children and look after them with due care and affection till he/she is given in adoption.
Each SAA shall install one cradle at the doorstep to receive such babies. These Cradle Baby Reception Centres will be linked to Cradle Points at Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), Hospitals/Nursing Homes, Swadhar Units, Short Stay Homes and in the office of the DCPU to receive abandoned babies.
For every child received by the cradle baby reception centre, the process of creating an individual care plan shall be initiated by the reception centre, to be further developed and prepared by the SAA in whose care the child is to be transferred after the authorization of the CWC.
Once the Cradle Baby Reception Centre receives a child from the Cradle Point, it should make the following arrangements for rehabilitation of the child:
(i) Provide for proper medical treatment and food as per the advice of the Medical Officer;
(ii) Report the arrival of the child to the Child Welfare Committee;
(iii) Provide for all basic needs of the child;
(iv) Provide care and protection to the child;
(v) Register the birth of the child with the competent authority; and
(vi) Explore possibilities of placing the child in a family through adoption
CHAPTER 7 – NON INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Model Rules framed there under provide for the rehabilitation and reintegration of children through non Institutional care i.e. sponsorship, foster-care, adoption and after-care.
While specialised Adoption agencies shall support the adoption programme, Under Sponsorship programme, financial support is proposed to be extended to vulnerable children living with extended families/ biological relatives for supporting their education, nutrition and health needs, inter alia. Under Foster care the responsibility of the child is undertaken/given to an unrelated person/family for care protection and rehabilitation. Children after completing the age of 18 years, may be offered support as Aftercare, upto the age of 21 years, in order to mainstream them and enable them to become self-dependent. The non-institutional care shall be subject to eligibility conditions and as per the procedure prescribed by the Ministry.
The Mission will support Children through following modes of Non Institutional Care:
- i) Adoption: Finding families for the children found legally free for Adoption
- ii) Sponsorship: Financial Support to immediate or extended biological family of the Child, for nurturing the Child
- iii) Fostercare : Financial Support to biologically unrelated Foster Parents for nurturing the Child
- iv) After Care: Monitory support to the Child who has been in Institutional care or has been receiving Sponsorship/FosterCare after the age of 18 years, upto 21 years of age, to help her/him become self-dependent.
A monthly maintenance grant per child @ Rs. 4000/- shall be provided for Sponsorship or foster care or Aftercare. The State/UT may assess the requirement of non institutional care and submit their proposal to Project Approval Board in the Ministry, along with the annual plan. The State Governments are encouraged to give additional grants to the SCPS under Sponsorship and Foster Care Fund and may initiate steps to proactively identify children needing protection with support of organisations working in this sector.
7.2. Fostercare
Foster care is an arrangement whereby a child is placed for the purpose of alternate care in the domestic environment of a family, usually on a short term or extended period of time, with unrelated family members for purpose of care and protection. While placing a child in foster care, preference shall be given to those families that share similar cultural, tribal and /or community connection.
The situations under which Foster care can be given will rest on the CWCs based on their assessment of the individual case presented before them.
The foster care shall include group foster care whereby a group of unrelated children are placed with a foster family or under the care of foster care givers in a family like setting who may/may not be having their own biological children.
7.3. Aftercare
The JJ Act, 2015 provides for Aftercare of Children living under the Institutional care vide Section 2(5) and section 46 which mandates that “Any child leaving a child care institution on completion of eighteen years of age may be provided with financial support in order to facilitate child’s re-integration into the mainstream of the society in the manner as may be prescribed”
CHAPTER 9 – CHILD HELPLINE UNDER MISSION VATSALYA
The Mission Vatsalya in partnership with States and Districts will execute a 24×7 helpline service for children as defined under the JJ Act, 2015, as amended in 2021. In the event of child meriting assistance on ground, district child helpline partner shall reach out to the child immediately. The Child Helpline under Mission Vatsalya shall be run with improved coordination with State and District functionaries and integration with 112 helpline of MHA.
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