CARA Hosts Central Zone Workshop to Boost Adoption of Children with Special Needs

Addressing the gathering, Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria emphasised the need for stronger community participation.

In a major push to strengthen India’s child protection framework, the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development organised its Third Regional Consultative Workshop for the Central Zone in Bhopal, bringing together key stakeholders to accelerate adoption and family-based care for children with special needs.

The high-level consultation, held at Ravindra Bhawan, was conducted in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA).

Focus on Family-Based Care for Divyaang Children

The workshop is part of CARA’s nationwide campaign themed “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)”, which aims to shift the focus from institutional care to family-based rehabilitation.

Addressing the gathering, Madhya Pradesh Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria emphasised the need for stronger community participation.

She highlighted that ensuring children grow up in supportive family environments is critical for their emotional, social and developmental well-being, particularly for children with special needs.

Central Zone Takes Centre Stage

The Central Zone—comprising Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand—represents one of the largest administrative regions in the country in terms of districts.

Reflecting this scale:

• Around 200 participants attended the workshop

• Representation came from over 170 districts

• The event served as a key coordination platform for regional child protection efforts

Wide Participation from Key Stakeholders

The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

• State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs)

• Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs)

• Child Care Institutions (CCIs)

• District Child Protection Units (DCPUs)

• Medical professionals and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs)

• Child protection experts

This multi-sectoral participation enabled holistic discussions on both administrative and medical aspects of adoption.

Key Issues: Legal, Medical and Systemic Challenges

Deliberations during the workshop focused on addressing bottlenecks in adoption processes, particularly for children with special needs.

Key discussion areas included:

• Current adoption trends across states

• Challenges in medical assessments and certification

• Delays in legal procedures and clearances

• Need for better coordination between healthcare and child protection systems

Participants also reviewed successful adoption case studies, offering insights into best practices that can be replicated across regions.

Action-Oriented Approach Through Group Discussions

A major highlight of the workshop was interactive group discussions, where participants developed practical, actionable recommendations aimed at:

• Improving adoption outreach and awareness

• Streamlining procedures for faster placements

• Enhancing support systems for adoptive families

• Strengthening institutional coordination

These recommendations are expected to inform future policy and operational reforms.

Storytelling to Drive Awareness

To reinforce the human impact of adoption, a short film showcasing a successful adoption story of children with special needs was unveiled during the event.

The film highlighted:

• The transformative role of family care

• The importance of societal awareness

• The need to overcome stigma associated with adopting children with disabilities

Toward Inclusive and Child-Centric Policies

The workshop concluded with a strong consensus among states and stakeholders on the need to:

• Expand family-based care models

• Promote inclusive adoption policies

• Prioritise the best interests of children with special needs

Officials noted that the outcomes of the consultation will guide future interventions, awareness campaigns and policy frameworks aimed at ensuring holistic rehabilitation of Divyaang children across India.

A Step Forward in Child Protection Reform

With increasing emphasis on deinstitutionalisation and inclusive care, CARA’s regional consultations are emerging as critical platforms to align stakeholders and drive reforms.

The Bhopal workshop marks another step toward building a more responsive, compassionate and efficient adoption ecosystem, ensuring that every child—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to grow up in a loving family environment.