CCDT Committed Communities Development
CCI Child Care Institutions
CWC Child Welfare Committee
DWCD Department of Women and Child Development
MSCPCR Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
TIC Trauma-Informed Care
UN United Nations
ACE
STS
B.
C. Keynote Address: Advocate Sushiben Shah
D. Keynote Address: Ms. Shobha Shelar
E.
F.
Executive Summary:
SAMARTHAN, an initiative of CCDT focused on the need for trauma-informed care (TIC) training for caregivers in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) of Maharashtra. The event, brought together diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, planners, mental health professionals, caregivers, social workers, community advocates, and several contributors to discuss the importance of TIC in supporting children's emotional well-being. This is particularly crucial, as most children in CCIs have experienced multiple crises in their lives, leading to severe trauma.
Key findings from the rapid assessment, quick literature review and the roundtable discussion highlighted critical areas to be strengthened in current practices Also, the need for a comprehensive and culturallysensitiveTIC trainingframework.Therecommendations include creating a dedicated “Task Force” to take this initiative ahead, designing trauma-informed care training modules, and integrating the TIC approach at various levels of CCIs to improve the life of children in care and collaborate with policymakers, childcare professionals, counselors, and foundations to shape effective interventions.
1. Introduction and Background
The Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in Maharashtra provide protection and care to children who are in crises.
Over the years, one of the critical challenges faced by children in CCIs who have experienced multiple crises has been behavioural and emotional difficulties stemming from the varying degrees of trauma they have experienced.
Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT) has more than 28 years of experience of running CCIs. This experience has highlighted the diverse and complex mental wellbeing issues these children face. These challenges often result from a range of factors, including trauma, abuse, neglect, family separation and other environmental stressors. Addressing these mental wellbeing needs requires a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach, encompassing prevention, early identification, intervention, and continuous support.
CCDT'sdatafromthepast28yearshighlightsseveralkeyfactorscontributingtomentaltrauma for children in Childcare Institutions:
1. Traumatic Experiences: Exposure to violence, abuse, neglect, living with HIV/AIDS, homelessness, or family separation.
2. Instability: Frequent changes in caregivers or living environments.
3. Social Isolation: A lack of stable, supportive relationships.
4. Stigma and Discrimination: Facing prejudice or discrimination due to being in institutional care, especially for children affected by HIV/AIDS, children of sex workers, or those who have experienced sexual abuse.
5. Lack of Resources: Limited access to mental health services, trained professionals, and adequate platforms for learning materials and resources.
These factors contribute to the complex mental well-being challenges faced by children in care and underscore the need for comprehensive support systems.
To substantiate the findings, Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT) conducted a thorough rapid assessment and literature review. The result suggested that Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in Maharashtra require access to evidence-based, trauma-informed care training to provide more specialized care for children that goes beyond general mental wellbeing services.
To further explore the need for trauma-informed care training for caregivers in CCIs, a roundtable discussion titled “SAMARTHAN” was held on October 15, 2024, in Mumbai. The event brought together policymakers, implementers, and care providers to gather qualitative insights on implementing trauma-informed care training for caregivers at CCIs. The discussion aimed to raise awareness about the importance of trauma-informed care practices and their role in enhancing the well-being of children in care.
2. Objectives of SAMARTHAN
● To foster collaboration among stakeholders in childcare practices
● To introduce the concept of trauma-informed care for children living in CCIs and their development
● To outline training framework, methodologies, implementation, and policies to support the successful implementation of Trauma-informed care training.
3. Profile of the Participants
Theroundtablebrought togetheradiversegroupofparticipants from acrossMumbai, including policy makers, planners, mental health professionals, caregivers, social workers, community advocates and others to discuss and deliberate on the various issues related to trauma informed care in Childcare Institutions.
4. Proceedings of the Day and the Key Messages
A. Welcome Address: by Mr. Deepak Tripathi, Programme Lead, Child Protection, AEP & HIV, CCDT.
Mr. Tripathi warmly welcomed all participants to the workshop, highlighting the critical role of trauma-informed care in delivering holistic support to children in Childcare Institutions (CCIs). He outlined the workshop's objectives and expressed optimism for engaging in discussions and collaborative efforts to enhance the understanding and implementation of trauma-informed practices.
B. Introducing CCDT: by Ms. Sukanya Poddar, Managing Trustee of CCDT.
Ms. Sukanya Poddar provided an overview of CCDT (Committed Communities Development Trust), detailing its history, mission, and core values. She emphasized the Organization's commitment to the reintegration and repatriation of children, ensuring they can return to safe and nurturing environments. With extensive experience in addressing a range of child welfare issues, CCDT actively tackles pressing challenges such as HIV/AIDS, sexual abuse, trafficking, and child labour, towards creating comprehensive solutions that protect and empower vulnerable populations.
In her discussion, Ms. Poddar highlighted the specific challenges children residing in shelter homes face, particularly emotional and psychological distress, which can lead to issues such as self-harm, violence, feelings of isolation, and tendencies to run away. She underscored the importance of adopting trauma-informed care approaches, which prioritize understanding and addressing the root causes of the emotional challenges faced by children in shelter homes Ms. Poddar stressed the need for trauma-informed care to address these issues and create a supportive, healing environment for children in care.
C. Keynote Address by Advocate Sushiben Shah (Honourable Chairperson, State Child Rights Protection Commissioner, Maharashtra State)
Smt. Adv. Shah delivered a thought-provoking address on the vital role of social workers in understanding child policies and the policymaking process. She emphasized that social workers must be well-versed in relevant laws and regulations to advocate for children's rights and meet their needs effectively. This knowledge is crucial for navigating the complex child welfare landscape and influencing positive policy changes.
Smt. Adv. Shah underscored the essential role of government support and funding in implementing innovative schemes to improve children's well-being in Childcare Institutions (CCIs). She asserted that significant training and capacity-building investment for social workers and caregivers must equip them with the skills to deliver effective care.
Smt. Adv. Shah highlighted caregivers' critical significance in children's lives, advocating for comprehensive trauma-informed care training. She pointed out that caregiversmust be abletoprovideasafe, supportive,andnurturing environment,which is essential for fostering resilience and emotional well-being in children facing trauma. By prioritizing this training, we can enhance the overall quality of care and support for vulnerable children in CCIs.
D. Keynote Address by Ms. Shobha Shelar (District Women and Child Development Officer)
Ms. Shelar appreciated the significant work of CCDT in family strengthening and crisis management of children in CCIs. She emphasized the importance of supporting families as a proactive measure to prevent child abuse and neglect. She highlighted various government initiatives that are designed to empower families, enhance parenting skills, and provide access to necessary support services, ultimately fostering resilience and stability within communities. She emphasised on adopting a holistic approach that addresses immediate challenges and contributes to the long-term wellbeing of children and their families.
E. Presentation of Assessment, Observation, and Findings:
Facilitated by Mr. Santosh Shinde, Consultant-CCDT and FounderVidhayak Bharti
Mr. Shinde initiated the discussion by defining trauma and its profound impact on children's mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He stressed the necessity of understanding the various types of traumas that children may encounter, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as exposure to violence or the loss of a loved one.
Participantsthensharedtheirexperiencesworking withchildrenintrauma,highlighting the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed to provide support. They collectively emphasized the critical need to create safe and nurturing environments for children who have endured trauma, recognizing that such spaces are essential for healing.
The participants further explored the range of child trauma issues faced by NGOs, including trafficking, domesticviolence,missingchildren,runaways, child labour,drug addiction, and street-connected youth. They underscored the unique challenges each faces and the necessity for tailored interventions that meet specific needs.
The hour-long presentation shed light on the current trauma-informed practices, the observed challenges and gaps, and possibilities for newer and better direction.
Participants collaborated with Mr. Shinde to explore the principles of trauma-informed care by providing their insights about “What does Trauma-informed care mean in the Mumbai Context?” Responses included highlighting the safety of the children, socializing legal forces to trauma, sharing anecdotes of crisis with children and the challenges faced by stakeholders in helping children overcome distress, building a secure relationship with children to facilitate their growth and quality of life ultimately.
F. Focus Group Discussions and Deliberations
Participants were divided into three groups to delve into specific topics related to trauma- informed care for 45 minutes:
1. Group 1: Focused on “Identifying Opportunity Areas to Strengthen Interventions (Gaps and Bottlenecks).”
2. Group 2: Focused on “Creating an Implementation Framework.”
3. Group 3: Focused on “Developing A Training Deck, Including Themes, Methodology, And Module Framework.”
Each group had a moderator who probed them to brainstorm and share their insights on the three domains mentioned above. The findings of each group are discussed below:
5.1 Identifying Opportunity Areas to Strengthen Interventions (Gaps and Bottlenecks)
Group 1 comprised policy developers, trained professionals, operation heads/managers, and implementors.Theirdiscussionfocusedonidentifying gaps andbottlenecks at CCIs andshared their insights on strengthening these gaps with effective interventions.
Key Discussion Points:
A. Involvement of Primary Caregivers:
The group emphasized that primary caregivers such as house mothers, biological parents, and safe family members are not sufficiently involved in designing interventions. They suggested that thefirst stepinimproving interventions shouldinvolvethem,activemembersofthechild’s ecosystem. This shared accountability is crucial for building interventions that promote the child's mental well-being.
B. Contextual Sensitivity in Caregiving:
Thediscussionalso stressedtheimportanceofsensitizingthecaregivingsystem to thecomplex social context in India, which is shaped by factors like caste, religion, and gender. A more holistic psychosocial approach to trauma-informed care should be adopted to address these layers of complexity effectively.
C. Strengthening Interventions Across Agencies:
Group 1 identifiedseveral opportunity areas to strengtheninterventions, particularly in relevant agencies such as:
a. State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR)
b. State Adoption Resource Authority (SARA)
c. Child Welfare Committees (CWCs)
d. Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs)
e. Childcare Institutions (CCIs)
f. Special Juvenile Police Units
They highlighted gaps in coordination and collaboration among these agencies, stressing the need for improvement in inter-agency communication, increased funding, and additional resources to enhance their effectiveness.
D. Implementation Framework for Trauma-Informed Care:
Akey focusofthediscussionwasthecreationofaclearimplementationframeworkfortraumainformed care. The group underscored the need for stakeholder involvement and called for clear guidelines from the state government to ensure a standardized approach.
E. Integration into Health and Mental Health Services:
The group also advocated for integrating trauma-informed care into hospital services and district mental health programs. This would help ensure a holistic approach to supporting children, covering medical and psychosocial needs.
F. Review of Policies and Child-Friendly Practices:
Group 1 stressed the importance of reviewing policies related to children, with a specific focus on creating child-friendly policies that uphold children’s rights and well-being. They also emphasized the need for effective policy implementation, ensuring children can access the necessary services and support.
Conclusion:
Collectively, the discussions within Group 1 aimed to foster a more comprehensive and supportive environment for children affected by trauma. The group’s recommendations centered on integrating trauma-informed care into multiple systems, improving coordination between agencies, and creating child-centered policies to ensure that children in care receive the attention and support they need to heal and thrive.
5.2 Creating an Implementation Framework
Group 2 comprised representatives from State Child Protection and Adoption Resource agencies, the State Child Welfare and Protection Committee, the District Magistrate, and Child Care Institutions (CCIs) members. The objective of their group discussion was to explore the rollout and implementation of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) practices (who to be involved and how to implement effectively) and to identify key frameworks for effective implementation.
A. Comprehensive Systems Approach:
One of the fundamental insights shared during the discussion was the need to adopt a "Comprehensive Systems Approach." This approach emphasizes working with communities and stakeholders to understand the underlying issues better and collaborate on identifying and testing innovative solutions. The group highlighted the importance of addressing challenges at every system level, ensuring that all parties involved from community members to institutional bodies are actively engaged in the process.
B. Training Across Ecosystems:
Participants affirmed that trauma-informed care training should be integrated across all ecosystem sectors. This includes childcare institutions, education systems, legal frameworks, and medical professionals. All stakeholders should be sensitized to a trauma-informed care approach to provide cohesive support for children affected by trauma.
C. Co-Creation of Training Modules:
The group also advocated for the involvement of caregivers and children in co-creating the TIC training modules. By including their perspectives, the training could be better tailored to the specific needs and contexts of the children and caregivers it aims to support. This approach also ensures that the training is contextually relevant and impactful.
D. Incorporating Existing Policies and Creating a Best Practice Model:
The group emphasized incorporating existing child protection policies into the TIC implementation framework. They recommended creating a model for best practices that could be replicated across various institutions and regions, thus ensuring consistency, effectiveness, and scalability of trauma-informed care training for CCIs.
E. Challenges with Current Policies & Processes:
The discussion also identified several areas where current child protection policies fall short, particularly in addressing the unique needs of vulnerable groups, especially those affected by trauma.
Key issues included:
a. Orphan Certificate Delays: The process for issuing orphan certificates has proven to be slow and inefficient, delaying access to essential resources and support for orphaned children and their siblings. This delay often leads to further marginalization and neglect.
b. Inadequate Funding for Organizations: Many institutions and organizations that work with children are underfunded, which hampers their ability to provide essential services. This lack of financial support can directly impact the quality of care provided to children with trauma.
c. Property Rights Issues: Challenges related to property rights for children, particularly in cases of trauma or loss, were also highlighted. These issues can undermine children’s security and stability.
d. Delays in Documentation and Funding: Delays in obtaining crucial documentation, such as certificates and funding, were identified as major obstacles. These delays prevent timely interventions and can significantly hinder the support provided to children in crisis.
F.
Need for a Comprehensive Framework:
Thegroupconcludedthatthereisanurgentneedforacomprehensiveframeworkthataddresses these systemic challenges holistically. This framework should focus on developing childfriendly policies that are both effective and inclusive, ensuring the timely delivery of services and support. Furthermore, the group stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations to create a supportive environment for all children.
Conclusion:
The discussions within Group 2 underscored the need for an integrated, multi-level approach to trauma-informed care that includes the active involvement of communities, caregivers, and children. It also highlighted the critical gaps in existing policies and systems that must be addressed to ensure that children receive the necessary care and support. The group’s recommendations emphasize the importance of co-ordination, adequate funding, and a childcentred framework that can be replicated to improve outcomes for children affected by trauma.
