NCJ Number
129168
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 70 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1991) Pages: 243-259
Date Published
1991
Length
17 pages
Annotation
An overview of the foster care system in India is presented. The programs of child development are carried out through the services of the Integrated Child Development Scheme which are intended to improve the nutritional and health status of children up to six years of age; lay the foundations for proper psychological, physical, and social development of the child; reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropouts; achieve effective coordination of policies and implementation among the various departments to promote child development; and enhance the ability of the mother through proper nutrition and health education to look after the normal health and nutrition needs of the child.
Abstract
There is no integrated approach toward linking these various components in a more coordinated way. With millions of children groping their way through the streets of India, the Indian foster care system is unable to meet the need. A great many problems pose serious threats to the building of a stronger system. Financial resources are too low to support an adequate system. Agencies complain of meager support from the government. Also, the human resources that could nurture the foster care system are scarce -- an insufficient number of Indian couples are coming forward to adopt children. The bulk of foster care is carried out by boarding homes or orphanages where there is a dearth of committed and trained personnel. Unlike the Western countries, however, the problem of foster children changing foster homes frequently and ultimately ending up without any skills is considerably less in India. 13 references