Mission Vatsalya Scheme

Why in the News?

Key Points:

About Mission Vatsalaya:

• Mission Vatsalya is an umbrella scheme for child protection services in the country.
• Earlier, it was known as Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme.
• Objective: To secure a healthy and happy childhood for each and every child in India.

Key Guidelines issued:

• States will have to retain the official name, as given by the Centre, the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry.
• Funds Disbursal: Funds will be disbursed to states under various heads by defining institutionalised arrangements.
  • Funds to states will be approved through the Mission Vatsalya Project Approval Board (PAB).
  • It will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in partnership with state governments and UT administrations.
  • Fund-sharing pattern:

• 90: 10 for the eight states in the Northeast
• 60:40 for the General States.

• State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA): The Mission Vatsalya will support State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA), which will support the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in promoting in-country adoption and regulating inter-country adoption.
• Cradle baby reception centres: It has been recognised that many districts do not have facilities to receive infants who are abandoned and vulnerable to be trafficked.
  • The Mission envisages setting up cradle baby reception centres in at least one specialised adoption agency in a district.
  • Mission Vatsalya, in partnership with states and districts, will execute a 24×7 helpline service for children, as defined under JJ Act, 2015.
• Separate children’s homes: Separate children’s homes based on gender (including separate homes for transgender children) and age will be established for children in need of care, as well as for special needs children.
• Grading for child care institution (CCI): State governments are required to take up the exercise to grade each child care institution (CCI) at fixed intervals.
  • The grading will be done based on infrastructure, quality of services, the wellbeing of children, especially in terms of health and education, restoration and rehabilitation of children, etc.
• Financial support: Financial support has also been prescribed for vulnerable children living with extended families or in foster care, supporting their education, nutrition and health needs.