Potential existing schemes and programs

In the Twelfth Plan (2012-2019), the Planning Commission constituted a ‘Working Group on Rural Housing’ that recommended a multi-pronged approach to service the financial needs of different segments of the rural population for house construction and up-gradation, such as, support BPL families under IAY, provide ‘productive housing’ loans for BPL, enhance access to land by the poor, improve quality of IAY Houses etc.

Source: Govt of India, Ministry of Urban Development

After care provisions for young person leaving care in order to help them sustain themselves during the transition from institutional to independent life are very limited in the country. There are very limited number of schemes and programs designed exclusive for children leaving care, except Integrated Child Protection Scheme which has an exclusive component of Aftercare. Other social security and welfare schemes where care leavers can access benefits are mostly provisioned for youth, and not exclusively for children leaving care.

The only scheme that provides guidelines for Aftercare program with selection of suitable Government and voluntary organizations to run the Aftercare program is the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). As per the revised framework of ICPS, the District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) are shouldered responsibility to implement Aftercare Program for children without family or other support who leave institutional care after they attain 18 years of age, so that these young adults sustain themselves during the transition from institutional to independent life. DCPU shall identify suitable voluntary organizations that will run such Aftercare Programs.

These organizations shall formulate an after-care program for these children, providing food, clothing, health care and shelter; age appropriate and need based education, vocational trainings etc. for a period of three years in accordance with the provision laid down under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and its rules developed by central and state governments. Based on the caseto-case basis, a JJB/CWC can order placement of a juvenile/child in the aftercare program. The JJB/ CWC shall mark a copy of the order to the DCPU for arranging aftercare for the juvenile/child as per the provisions laid down under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 and respective State Rules under the Act.

Encourage young persons to learn a vocation or gain employment and contribute towards the rent as well as the running of the home Encourage young persons to gradually sustain themselves without state support and move out of the group home to stay in a place of their own after saving sufficient amount through their earnings Provision for a peer counsellor to stay in regular contact with these groups to discuss their rehabilitation plans and provide creative outlets for channelizing their energy and to tide over the crisis periods in their lives Provision of stipend during the course of vocational training until the youth gets employment Provide loans for youths aspiring to set up entrepreneurial activities

Community group housing on a temporary basis for groups of 6-8 young persons

Dedicated institution for Aftercare to be considered in metropolitan cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore,

Chennai and Kolkata) with maximum capacity of 25 young adults. Here, the home is run by the aftercare organisation including, housekeeping, kitchen etc. However, day to day management could be done by children’s committees. Young adults to stay in groups of 4 to 8 in an accommodation taken on rent in a suitable, safe residential locality as a family unit and learn to share responsibilities of running their own kitchen and home. Here, the Aftercare organizations are to assist in providing rent and deposit for accommodations and see that the household duties are amicably shared by the aftercare young adults. In cases the number of young adults is very low or in the absence of suitable NGOs, a separate portion to be earmarked for children of 18+ age group in existing children’s Home run by the Government / NGO.

In such cases, the CCIs have to ensure provisions of all meals and daily needs for After Care groups, where the young adults could be encouraged to participate in cooking, cleaning etc.

The State Child Protection Societies (SCPS) releases grants up to a maximum of @Rs.2000 per child per month to the organisation running the aftercare program based on the individual needs of every child. This amount shall include basic needs of the child/youth including food, clothing, health care and shelter; age appropriate and need based education and vocational training; stipend; and any other requirements. States can apply for funds from the State Child Protection Societies to run Aftercare Program, based on the number of districts in the particular state: i. States with less than 15 districts: Rs 15 lakhs ii. States with more than 15 districts: Rs 30 lakhs iii. States with more than 30 districts: Rs 45 lakhs

In spite of existing measures of provision, in legal form through JJ Act and schematic form through Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), the Aftercare Programs on the part of Government of India, lacks planning, adequate financing and also fails to meet the parameters of proper After Care delivery.

West Bengal 7 govt run and 2 NGO run Aftercare Homes State envisages to provide facilities such as, counselling, vocational training, job training, opening bank account, to practice savings, providing Aadhaar card, Ration card, Voter ID card etc.

Financial support Rs 30 lakhs

Delhi 2 govt run aftercare homes- one for girls and one for boys It provides aftercare services like training in nursing and mid-wife, nursery teacher training, training in cutting and tailoring, beauty culture and hair dressing through Industrial Training Institute (ITI), a Government of Delhi institution to rehabilitate the residents Rs 15 lakhs

12 Guidelines for After Care of Children under ICPS (Web: https://nipccd-earchive.wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/PDF/Guidelines%20For%20

After%20Care%20of%20Children%20under%20ICPS.pdf) 13 ibid