The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development, organized a successful Regional Consultative Workshop focused on the non-institutionalized rehabilitation of children with special needs, specifically Divyaang children, in Guwahati. This workshop brought together 122 stakeholders, including representatives from State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), and child protection entities across the Northeast region, highlighting a strong commitment to enhancing adoption and rehabilitation mechanisms for these children.
The workshop opened with an overview of CARA’s family-centered care initiatives, complemented by a film illustrating a successful adoption case. Following this, participants from various states discussed their experiences regarding challenges encountered, best practices, and innovative strategies in promoting adoption and non-institutional care. Group discussions focused on several critical topics: health assessments for children with special needs, legal and procedural adoption aspects, financial and administrative hurdles, grievance redressal mechanisms, and coordination among institutions.
Each group developed actionable recommendations aimed at improving processes related to identification, certification, counseling, placement, and post-adoption support. The workshop included a review of state-wise adoption data for fiscal year 2024–25, leading to discussions on addressing bottlenecks in the adoption process for children with special needs. Key points emphasized the importance of fostering inter-sectoral collaboration, building the capacity of frontline professionals, and empowering prospective adoptive parents with informed decision-making.
The workshop culminated with a unified commitment to creating a strategic roadmap that prioritizes domestic adoption of Divyaang children, enhances non-institutional care systems, and ramps up awareness during Adoption Awareness Month 2025. CARA reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring every child, despite challenges, can grow in a supportive, safe, and permanent family environment, emphasizing that adoption practices remain rooted in child welfare, transparency, and the best interests of the child.
