The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s adoption and child protection ecosystem, is organising its second Regional Consultative Workshop in Guwahati on January 30. The theme of the workshop is in line with CARA’s Adoption Awareness Camapign: “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)”. The workshop is being organized to advance CARA’s commitment towards ensuring that children with special needs are provided family-based care and are not confined to long-term institutionalization. The initiative aligns with the mandate of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2022), which prioritizes the best interests of the child through adoption and other non-institutional care mechanisms.
The consultation will bring together key stakeholders including State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), healthcare professionals, and child protection practitioners from States of North-Eastern Zone. The participating states are – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. The programme will include thematic sessions covering aspects such as: State-wise status and best practices in adoption of children with special needs; sharing of success stories and evidence-based interventions; group discussions to develop actionable recommendations and medical, legal, financial, and grievance-related challenges. A special film showcasing a successful adoption of children with special needs will also be screened to highlight the transformative impact of family-based care. Meanwhile, the deliberations will focus on identifying gaps, strengthening inter-departmental coordination, and formulating policy-level recommendations to promote adoption and rehabilitation of Divyaang children. The workshop is expected to contribute significantly towards shaping a more inclusive, responsive, and child-centric adoption framework in the country.