Deadline: 13-Apr-2026
The Government of India, in collaboration with UNICEF, is implementing a comprehensive foster care initiative in Chhattisgarh to support children deprived of parental care. The program focuses on family-based placements, capacity building, legal support, and system-wide improvements to child protection, with plans to expand across all 33 districts.
Overview
The Government of India, in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), is advancing a structured foster care model for children without parental care. This initiative emphasizes:
- Family-based care: Moving away from institutional care to placements in nurturing family environments.
- Child protection: Ensuring safety, legal support, and access to justice for vulnerable children.
- Capacity building: Strengthening skills of government and child welfare officials to improve foster care quality.
- Emergency response: Providing timely protection and support in crisis situations.
The program integrates policy support, field engagement, and standardized procedures to create a sustainable foster care ecosystem.
Key Components of the Initiative
Legal and Policy Framework
- Aligns with the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, 2016, Model JJ Rules, and Model Foster Care Guidelines.
- Provides clear Standard Operating Procedures for identification, assessment, placement, and monitoring of foster children.
- Enhances access to justice and ensures child rights are protected at all stages.
Capacity Building
- 2,960 stakeholders trained over 38 structured sessions, including:
- District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) officials
- Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members
- Child Care Institutions (CCI) and Special Adoption Agency (SAA) staff
- Police and health functionaries
- Training topics include legal provisions, psychosocial assessment, placement monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and case handling.
- Installation of 36 Alexa devices in CCIs encourages children to ask questions, learn, and explore safely.
Expansion and Scaling Strategy
- Fifth-year focus on scaling across all 33 districts with district-specific approaches:
- Experienced districts: move towards independent implementation.
- Emerging districts: receive intensive technical support.
- Strengthening foster care quality with:
- 20-hour training for foster families
- Advanced case management practices
- Enhanced matching of children with suitable families
- Continuous support for children, foster families, and biological families
Community and Network Development
- Foster Family Network: State-level platform for peer learning, mentoring, and digital engagement.
- Community-led strategies expand the pool of foster families using existing foster parents as champions.
- Preventive measures include:
- Kinship care: Supporting children within extended families
- Restoration: Reuniting children with biological families when possible
- Sponsorship linkages: Supporting at-risk children before foster placement
Who is Eligible?
- Children deprived of parental care or living in institutional settings.
- Prospective foster families meeting state-defined criteria and trained in child care.
- Child protection officials and agencies responsible for implementing foster care services.
Why It Matters
- Reduces reliance on institutional care and promotes family-based nurturing environments.
- Enhances legal protection, psychosocial well-being, and educational access for vulnerable children.
- Builds sustainable child protection systems at state and district levels.
How the Program Works
- Identification: Children in need are identified through CCIs, DCPUs, and CWCs.
- Assessment: Psychosocial evaluation determines the best placement options.
- Placement: Children are matched with trained foster families, prioritizing kinship and family-based care.
- Monitoring: Continuous supervision ensures safety, well-being, and adherence to guidelines.
- Support: Foster families and children receive ongoing guidance, training, and digital resources.
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Mistake: Placing children without thorough assessment.
Tip: Conduct full psychosocial evaluations and consider family preferences. - Mistake: Ignoring foster family training requirements.
Tip: Ensure all families complete 20-hour training modules before placement. - Mistake: Lack of ongoing monitoring.
Tip: Implement regular follow-ups using case management systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the budget for the program?
The initiative is supported by an indicative budget of ₹5,500,000, covering technical support, training, and expansion. - Who manages the program?
The project is jointly implemented by the Government of India, UNICEF, and the Department of Women and Child Development. - How are children matched with foster families?
Children are matched based on psychosocial assessments, family readiness, and child-specific needs. - Can biological families be involved after placement?
Yes, the program encourages restoration and kinship care, maintaining ties with biological families whenever possible. - What training do foster families receive?
Families undergo a structured 20-hour training program covering child development, care practices, and legal obligations. - How is program quality monitored?
Monitoring includes digital case management, periodic site visits, and ongoing mentoring through the Foster Family Network. - Is this program expanding to other states?
Currently focused on Chhattisgarh, but the model is designed for scalable replication in other regions based on lessons learned.
Conclusion
The India-UNICEF foster care initiative in Chhattisgarh represents a significant step towards family-based child protection. By combining legal frameworks, capacity building, community engagement, and continuous monitoring, the program ensures children deprived of parental care receive safe, nurturing, and sustainable environments. Its scaling strategy and robust support system aim to create a replicable model for other states, reinforcing India’s commitment to child welfare and protection.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.