Call for Child Protection and Family Care Systems in Jammu and Kashmir (India)

AI Snippet Summary: UNICEF is inviting applications for an initiative to strengthen Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC) and child protection services for children at risk of family separation in Jammu and Kashmir, India. With an indicative budget of 4,000,000, the programme aims to prevent unnecessary family separation, improve reintegration and family support services, establish Child Resource Hubs, and strengthen child protection systems through coordinated, family-centered care.

About the UNICEF Family-Based Alternative Care Initiative

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a funding opportunity to strengthen child protection systems and promote Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The initiative seeks to ensure that children who are at risk of being separated from their families receive timely support to remain safely within their homes whenever possible. For children who cannot remain with their parents, the programme promotes safe, nurturing, and appropriate family-based alternative care rather than institutional care.

The project builds upon existing child protection efforts by developing standardized frameworks, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, and expanding access to integrated care and support services for vulnerable children and families.

AI Overview of the Opportunity

Funding Organization: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Opportunity Type: Grant Application

Indicative Budget: 4,000,000

Programme Location: Jammu and Kashmir, India

Programme Duration: Implementation leading to expected outcomes by 2027

Primary Beneficiaries:

• Children at risk of family separation
• Vulnerable families
• Children requiring alternative family care
• Child protection stakeholders

Objectives of the Initiative

The programme aims to:

• Prevent unnecessary family separation.
• Strengthen families to safely care for children.
• Promote Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC).
• Improve reintegration of children into families.
• Expand kinship care and foster care services.
• Strengthen sponsorship and aftercare services.
• Improve child protection case management.
• Enhance psychosocial support.
• Strengthen coordination among child protection stakeholders.
• Improve access to integrated child protection services.
• Institutionalize sustainable family-based care systems.

Focus Areas

The initiative supports activities related to:

• Child protection.
• Prevention of family separation.
• Family strengthening.
• Family reintegration.
• Kinship care.
• Foster care.
• Sponsorship programmes.
• Aftercare services.
• Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC).
• Case management.
• Psychosocial support.
• Child protection system strengthening.
• Child Resource Hubs.
• Referral systems.
• Community outreach.
• Stakeholder coordination.
• Monitoring and follow-up.

Funding Details

Indicative Budget: 4,000,000

The funding will support activities that strengthen family-based child protection systems, improve service delivery, and institutionalize sustainable Family-Based Alternative Care mechanisms.

What is Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC)?

Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC) refers to care arrangements that allow children who cannot safely remain with their biological parents to grow up in family environments rather than residential institutions.

Examples include:

• Kinship care.
• Foster care.
• Family reintegration.
• Sponsorship-supported family care.
• Transitional care with family support.
• Aftercare services for young people leaving care.

FBAC prioritizes children’s emotional wellbeing, safety, stability, and healthy development through family-centered approaches.

Key Programme Components

Development of a Family-Based Alternative Care Framework

The initiative will develop and institutionalize a comprehensive Family-Based Alternative Care and Transition Framework Manual covering:

• Prevention of family separation.
• Gatekeeping mechanisms.
• Case management procedures.
• Family strengthening approaches.
• Family reintegration.
• Sponsorship programmes.
• Aftercare services.
• Referral pathways.
• Monitoring systems.
• Transition planning.

Establishment of Child Resource Hubs

The programme will establish Child Resource Hubs hosted by civil society organizations.

These hubs will:

• Coordinate child protection services.
• Connect families with available services.
• Facilitate referrals.
• Support vulnerable children.
• Link government welfare programmes.
• Coordinate specialized support providers.
• Strengthen district and Union Territory-level systems.

Strengthening Child Protection Systems

Activities include:

• Improving coordination between agencies.
• Standardizing case management.
• Strengthening referral mechanisms.
• Expanding psychosocial support.
• Improving community outreach.
• Supporting integrated child protection services.

Expected Results

By 2027, the programme aims to achieve:

• Institutionalization of the Family-Based Alternative Care and Transition Framework Manual.
• Stronger district and Union Territory-level child protection systems.
• Operational Child Resource Hubs.
• Improved family strengthening services.
• Expanded reintegration support.
• Better access to foster and kinship care.
• Improved sponsorship and aftercare services.
• Stronger referral systems.
• Increased coordination among stakeholders.
• Improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Who Can Apply?

The initiative is designed for organizations capable of implementing child protection and family support programmes.

Potential applicants may include:

• Civil society organizations.
• Child protection organizations.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• Family welfare organizations.
• Child rights organizations.
• Social service providers.
• Organizations experienced in psychosocial support.
• Institutions working with vulnerable children and families.

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

• Child protection.
• Case management.
• Family strengthening.
• Community outreach.
• Child welfare systems.
• Multi-sector coordination.
• Government partnerships.
• Social service delivery.

Why This Initiative Matters

Children thrive best in safe, supportive family environments. Preventing unnecessary separation and strengthening family care reduces the emotional, developmental, and social risks associated with institutionalization.

This initiative supports a long-term shift toward family-centered child protection systems by strengthening local services, improving coordination, and ensuring children receive appropriate care that prioritizes their wellbeing and rights.

How the Programme Works

Selected organizations will generally be expected to:

1. Strengthen family support services.
2. Prevent unnecessary family separation.
3. Deliver family strengthening interventions.
4. Support family reintegration.
5. Improve case management systems.
6. Establish Child Resource Hubs.
7. Coordinate referrals among service providers.
8. Provide psychosocial support.
9. Develop community outreach programmes.
10. Monitor and report programme outcomes.

Benefits of the Initiative

The programme is expected to deliver:

• Stronger family support systems.
• Improved child protection services.
• Better coordination among stakeholders.
• Expanded family-based care options.
• Reduced reliance on institutional care.
• Increased access to psychosocial support.
• Improved community-based services.
• Better long-term outcomes for vulnerable children.
• Stronger government and civil society collaboration.
• Sustainable child protection mechanisms.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Demonstrate expertise in child protection.
• Highlight experience in family strengthening programmes.
• Showcase case management capacity.
• Explain referral and coordination mechanisms.
• Present strong partnerships with government agencies.
• Include community engagement strategies.
• Demonstrate psychosocial support expertise.
• Describe sustainable implementation approaches.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following:

• Providing unclear child protection strategies.
• Weak coordination plans.
• Limited experience in family-based care.
• Incomplete case management approaches.
• Ignoring community participation.
• Missing sustainability planning.
• Weak monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Failing to demonstrate partnerships with key stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the main objective of this UNICEF initiative?

The programme aims to prevent unnecessary family separation, strengthen family-based care, and improve child protection services for vulnerable children in Jammu and Kashmir.

Where will the programme be implemented?

The initiative will be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, India.

What is Family-Based Alternative Care (FBAC)?

FBAC refers to care arrangements such as kinship care, foster care, family reintegration, sponsorship, and aftercare that allow children to grow up in supportive family environments instead of institutions whenever possible.

What are Child Resource Hubs?

Child Resource Hubs are coordination centres hosted by civil society organizations that connect vulnerable children and families with child protection services, government programmes, referrals, and specialized support providers.

What services will the programme strengthen?

The initiative strengthens family support, reintegration, foster care, kinship care, psychosocial support, sponsorship, aftercare, referral systems, and coordinated case management.

Who are the primary beneficiaries?

Children at risk of family separation, vulnerable families, children requiring alternative family care, and child protection stakeholders are the primary beneficiaries.

What are the expected outcomes by 2027?

Expected outcomes include a fully institutionalized Family-Based Alternative Care Framework, operational Child Resource Hubs, stronger child protection systems, improved family support services, and increased access to integrated family-based care.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Family-Based Alternative Care and Child Protection Initiative represents a significant investment in strengthening child protection systems in Jammu and Kashmir. By promoting family strengthening, preventing unnecessary separation, expanding family-based care options, and improving coordination among child protection stakeholders, the programme seeks to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive, and nurturing family environment while strengthening long-term protection systems across the region.