THE LATUR PILOT
Preamble
- Approximately 120 children across 7 agencies in Latur, Udgir and Nanded, who are legally free for adoption, are
waiting to find homes. 12 of these children are eligible, as per the CARA Guidelines, for transfer to agencies that
have waiting parents and can place the children (statement attached). Very few adoptions happen in these
agencies; certainly, there are no takers for the girl child.
- Agencies in metropolitan cities in Maharashtra have several parents waiting for prolonged periods. These agencies are
reluctant to refer parents to other agencies and would prefer to have the parent wait until they can find a suitable
child.
- Parents from metros are often reluctant to go to a non-metro agency; there is some apprehension about the quality
of childcare in the non-metro agencies.
- There is thus, a huge mismatch and a consequent need to bridge the gap.
- CSA aims at both, enhancing the number of adoptions in the country and, improving the quality of child care in the
agencies. CSA launched its pilot initiative in Latur.
Objectives
To find homes for all 120 children either
- Locally.
- Through referrals from metros.
- Through transfers with the permission of the State Government and, as per CARA Guidelines.
Methodology
Up-gradation of the agencies through,
- Training- childcare, counseling, documentation and processes.
- Development of physical facilities and provision of amenities.
- Extensive promotion through print and electronic media.
- Processing support.
Bal Vikas, a Placement agency in Latur, has been identified for extensive on-going support. Limited support will be
extended to the other 6 agencies (these are Shishu Grehs and receive CARA Support).
Both, CSA and Bal Vikas will take identified initiatives. Every subsequent step is dependent on both parties meeting
commitments already made.
Promotion initiatives target the local population and will work through.
Project Start
We commenced work in Latur on the 23rd May 2005.
Work Done / In-process
1. Training
A working Group consisting of Child Development Specialists (including a representative from SNDT University),
senior representatives, from 3 Pune agencies and Mobile Crèches, Mumbai, have drawn up training module for
Childcare and Social Workers.
a. Childcare Workers
The first program was held in Latur on the 4th March 2006. Approximately 35 representatives from all 7 agencies,
participated. The program was conducted through representatives from BSSK, SOFOSH (Pune) and Mobile Crèches
(Mumbai).
b. Social Workers
A program for Social Workers is scheduled for the 3rd week of March 2006. The program will be conducted jointly by
SOFOSH and ANUJ.
2. Development of physical facilities and provision of amenities
Bal Vikas painted the premises; installed mosquito netting, cemented the courtyard, shifted the kitchen into a more
hygienic locations, created space for a sickroom and improved the drainage system.
CSA have provided/ are in the process of providing :
- a baby warmer (provided)
- toys, clothes, baby products (provided)
- a playpen - sea-saw, swing, trampoline and slide (order placed)
- Solar heater (order placed)
- Teaching and childcare staff (1 each- to be funded by CSA- selection finalized)
- CD Player with a set of 11 cassettes. (provided)
- Uniforms to Childcare workers (purchased)
3. Professionalisation of the administrative machinery
Jointly with Bal Vikas, CSA have identified the (paper-work) gaps in the files and are working on completion of the
paperwork so that, once a parent selects a child, incomplete paper work / records do not delay the process.
When satisfied that the agency has achieved adequate quality standards, CSA will, with the support of the
Department of Social Welfare, initiate a major drive to refer parents from Mumbai and Pune to Bal Vikas and /or,
to
have the children transferred to agencies where placements are possible.
CSA aims at placing all 120 children by March 2007.
4. Promotion campaign
CSA have conducted :
- A Sensitization program on Child Adoption, for the Police, Judiciary, media and Government officials. The program
was held on the 8th January 2006.
- A Parenting Workshop for Aparents, prospective Aparents and Social Workers. The Workshop was held on the
8th January 2006.
- A Children’s get-together where about 60 children from 7 participating agencies had a day of fun and games was
held on 8th January 2006.
All the events received extensive print and electronic media coverage.
A one-page supplement on Adoption will be issued in Lokmath, the most widely read daily in Latur. This is scheduled
for the last week of March.
5. Achievements
- Local awareness and support
CSA have received extensive support from the local media, police, educational institutions and Social activists. All
CSA events held in Latur have received extensive media coverage. Most certainly some awareness has been
generated. This needs to be translated into actual placements.
- Referrals from Mumbai and Pune
Some parents from Pune and Mumbai who had contacted us, were referred to Latur. Inadequate paperwork has
delayed the process. CSA will work on completion of the paperwork and then actively pursue referrals to Bal Vikas.
- Transfers
Perhaps the largest single achievement has come in the form of ‘Z’ Category orders from the Department of Social
Welfare, permitting the transfer of 6 children eligible under the CARA guidelines, to SOFOSH in Pune. 2 of the
children have already moved and are expected to find homes (in-country) soon.
- Aparents Association
CSA is working towards the formation of an Aparents Association in Latur.
- Looking Forward
The Latur pilot has taken off extremely well. The results have started coming in and the experiment is expected to
gain momentum in the next few months. The model is replicable; the success of this pilot will prepare us for
addressing other locations across the country.
