Launched in May 2022 with support from Kalpana Parekh & Family, Project Unnati: Redefining Care is committed to facilitating deinstitutionalization and gatekeeping to support at-risk children and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The project adopts a family strengthening and family-based alternative care approach to provide holistic support to vulnerable children.
Guided by three core principles outlined in Section 3 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 — the Principle of institutionalization as a measure of last resort, the Principle of restoration and repatriation, and the Principle of family responsibility — Project Unnati seeks to:
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Prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families.
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Facilitate the reunification of children with their families.
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Prevent re-institutionalization through a comprehensive family strengthening strategy.
The project’s mission is to ensure children grow up in nurturing family environments rather than child care institutions, prioritizing their well-being and development. Its core activities include:
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Direct Social Casework: Collaborative efforts with Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, and Thane districts to assess needs, provide temporary financial assistance, and link families to government schemes, livelihood initiatives, and parenting support.
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Parent Support Group Meetings: Facilitating sharing, learning & collective problem-solving among caregivers.
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Helpdesks at CWCs: Offering support to families in navigating the child protection systems.
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Convergence Meetings: Engaging with government and non-government stakeholders to strengthen systemic support for family-based care.
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Trainings and Workshops: Building capacity among CCI functionaries and other government and non-government stakeholders to adopt alternative care approaches.
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Learning Circles with Children’s Homes: Promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing for effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Through its multi-faceted approach, Project Unnati is redefining care by placing children at the heart of its initiatives and empowering families to create lasting change.