Family-Based Alternate Care for Children (FBACC)
This report talks about the significant takeaways from the workshop on “De-institutionalisation and Family Based Alternative Care” organised by the Government of Kerala with the support of UNICEF, where they, four other states, viz. Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as a n international organisation, ‘Hope and Homes for Children’, shared their experiences in addressing these challenges.
Summary Report Mid-term Review for Family Based Care Pilot Project with Base Model CCIs
In March 2019, Miracle Foundation collaborated with two Child Care Institutions (CCIs): Gokul Balika Ashram for girls – Matrumandir (Devrukh – Ratnagiri, Maharashtra) and AARAMBH Boys home (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) to create a replicable model for other CCIs to effectively help children in transition to Family-Based Alternative Care through systemic change by engaging multiple stakeholders. This pilot initiative is for a period of two years (Year 1: March 2019 – April 2020, Year 2: April 2020 – March 2021). This report is a documentation of the mid-term review of the project at the end of one year and provides learnings and challenges so far. It also gives an opportunity to reflect and make a course correction and to track the progress of the project indicators as per the plan.
Supporting Youth Leave Care: A Study of Aftercare Practices in Gujarat (2019)
Current Aftercare Practices (CAP) is a research study conducted in the State of Gujrat and is part of a multistate study conducted in Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The CAP study is an Udayan Care initiative, supported and funded by UNICEF, Tata Trusts and other partners; and is based on the premise that every child who leaves an Alternative Care setting on completing 18 years of age (or becomes a ‘Care Leaver’) needs extended support in the form of Aftercare. The CAP study gathers evidence through a scientific data collection process, consolidates knowledge and promising practices, and discusses gaps and challenges from multi-stakeholders’ perspective. At various stages, the study has employed participatory methods to incorporate the voices of CLs and critical feedback from key stakeholders and experts. The report covers a total of 104 CLs from Gujarat, comprising of 63 males and 41 females, from both Government and NGO-run Child Care Institutions (CCIs). The present document also includes children who avail the benefits under the Palak Mata Pita Yojna (PMPY) scheme of the Gujarat Government. Out of 104 CLs, 20 children are PMPY beneficiaries who do not come under the purview of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act). Currently, Aftercare provision is meant only for CLs exiting from CCIs and is not applicable for PMPY beneficiaries in the state. Although much is happening on Aftercare in the State, there are many areas where we as duty-bearers need to rise to the call to meet the aspirations of the CLs.
Webinar Report Gatekeeping as a Systematic Process: Preventing Child’s Separation
The Webinar “Gatekeeping as a Systematic Process: Preventing Child’s Separation” was organised by India Alternative Care Network (IACN) in association with Miracle Foundation India, on April 28, 2023 and was attended by participants from across the country. The webinar was organised with the objecti ve to understand gatekeeping with a vision of getting acquainted with the components, tools, mechanisms, stakeholders and their role in gatekeeping and learning some promising practices at the Primary and Secondary levels of gatekeeping. This report presents key learnings from the webinar.
Does de-institutionalization always serve ‘best interest’ of the child – A study of the ground realities of restoration of Children
This paper is the result of a field study conducted by Catalysts for Social Action (CSA) on the outcomes of restoration of 29 ‘Children in Need of Care and Protection’ (CNCP) who were residing in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in Madhya Pradesh. The study was conducted in the year 2018-19 to analyse the process which was followed, to look into the followup and support provided after the child was restored with the family, to gather information on the situation of the child, and find out the effect of deinstitutionalisation on various growth and development parameters of the children. The core argument of this paper is that while every child has a right to grow up with his / her family and the Government’s efforts towards restoration of institutionalised children with their family is a step in the right direction, undertaking the exercise without diligently following due process, without ascertaining whether the risk due to which the child was institutionalised has been mitigated, without ensuring that the family is supported to care for the child, and without periodic monitoring of the effect of restoration on the child, can lead to adverse outcomes for the child, contrary to the envisaged objective of restoration. This argument is supported by findings of the study, which reveals gaps in the system and indicates a degree of non-compliance with critical steps of the process. As a result, most of the children restored with their family were found to be living in detrimental circumstances. This leads to the question as to whether the deinstitutionalisation or restoration of children with family indeed proved to be in the best interest of the child, as it has been envisaged to be. In its conclusion, the paper recommends actions for policymakers and for the implementers drawing from finding of the study and CSA’s experience of working with stakeholders in the child protection system.
Supporting Youth Leave Care: A Study of Aftercare Practices in Delhi
Current Aftercare Practices (CAP) is a research study conducted in the State of Delhi and is part of a multistate study conducted in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The CAP study is an Udayan Care initiative, supported and funded by UNICEF, Tata Trusts and other partners; and is base d on the premise that every child who leaves an Alternative Care setting on completing 18 years of age (or becomes a ‘Care Leaver’) needs extended support in the form of Aftercare. The CAP study gathers evidence through a scientific data collection process, consolidates knowledge and promising practices, and discusses gaps and challenges from multi-stakeholders’ perspective. At various stages, the study has employed participatory methods to incorporate the voices of CLs and critical feedback from key stakeholders and experts.
Before, Not After: An Evaluation of CINI’s Preventative Approach to Child Protection in India
This report documents innovative community strategies for preventing serious violations of children’s rights. This report describes CINI’s “systems strengthening” approach to improve holistic overall functioning of child protection systems so that different types of harm and violence against childre n are prevented from occurring.
Alternative Care in India: Issues and Prospects
This paper presents the current vulnerabilities faced by children and the scenario of child protection in India. While discussing the legal provisions prevailing in the country, it sheds light on the socio-cultural barriers that are creating resistance within the society in making the Alternative Ca re model a success.
Tools for Working with Children in Institutional Care
This knowledge resource discusses and provides examples of practice tools, worksheets and calming techniques (in English and Hindi) which counsellors and adults can use while working with children who are in institutional care. These tools are developed and compiled by Counsel to Secure Justice (CSJ ) based on experiences and interventions of working with children in institutions. Along with the tools, the paper reviews evidence on the impact of institutionalisation on children and evidence-based interventions that can help mitigate this impact while interweaving CSJ’s experiences and interventions. The latter part of the paper presents tools and calming techniques in the form of worksheets and pictorial representations. The tools and techniques in this resource are part of CSJ’s interventions with children in CCIsincluding in the form of in-person interactions/counselling, virtual interventions during COVID 19 and the restorative circle processes. The tools are developed and compiled to provide visual aid and illustration during counselling and other interactions with children. The exercises can help in engaging children to think and express. The tools can help build rapport and work with children who find it difficult to express their emotions and experiences verbally. The worksheets and calming techniques around coping can help the children practise the coping techniques and equip them to use it for themselves. CSJ understands these tools have limitations and are examples of practice tools and techniques adapted or modified by the counsellors. These are not a replacement of in-person, telephonic, individual or group counselling, therapy or any psychological/psychiatric intervention for severe mental health conditions and disorders. None of these tools can be used for psychological or psychometric testing or diagnosis.
Beyond 18 : Leaving Child Care Institutions – Supporting Youth Leave Care: A Study of Aftercare Practices
This report on Aftercare is based on research on “Current Aftercare Practices” (CAP), with regard to Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP), under the JJ Act, 2015, conducted in five states of India, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. It is about the status of Aftercare yo uth, or Care Leavers (CLs), who as wards of the state in the child protection system, while they were below the age of eighteen, we are entitled to care, protection, treatment, development, rehabilitation and re-integration by the state – as explicitly stated in the Preamble of the JJ Act, 2015. On attaining the age of majority – i.e. eighteen years, they are now compelled to transition from state care in a Child Care Institution (CCI) to adulthood in the wider community. The study aims to influence the contemporary care leaving policy, law and practice in India.