CARA Holds Regional Workshop in Bhopal to Boost Adoption Awareness and Family-Based Care for Children with Special Needs

Bhopal, March 17: The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, organised its third Regional Consultative Workshop for the Central Zone at Ravindra Bhawan in Bhopal on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide campaign focused on promoting adoption and non-institutional rehabilitation of children with special needs.

The event was conducted in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), bringing together key stakeholders involved in child protection and welfare.

Madhya Pradesh Minister for Women and Child Development Ms. Nirmala Bhuria attended the programme as the chief guest and stressed the need to strengthen child protection mechanisms while encouraging greater community involvement in supporting children with special needs.

The workshop was organised under CARA’s ongoing adoption awareness initiative themed “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)”, which aims to prioritise family-based care over long-term institutional support.

Officials noted that the Central Zone, comprising Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, includes a large number of districts, making regional coordination critical for improving adoption outcomes and child welfare services.

The consultation witnessed participation from around 200 representatives across more than 170 districts, including officials from State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), medical professionals, Chief Medical Officers, and child protection experts.

Discussions during the workshop focused on reviewing the current adoption status of children with special needs, sharing successful case studies, and addressing challenges related to medical evaluations, legal procedures, and inter-departmental coordination.

Participants also worked in groups to develop practical recommendations aimed at streamlining adoption processes, improving outreach efforts, and ensuring quicker rehabilitation of Divyaang children into supportive family environments.

A short film highlighting a successful adoption story of children with special needs was presented during the event to showcase the positive impact of family-based care and to encourage broader societal awareness and participation.

The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from participating states and stakeholders to enhance cooperation, strengthen adoption systems, and promote inclusive policies focused on the best interests and holistic development of children with special needs across the country.