Mission Vatsalya (Child Protection Services and Child Welfare Services)
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
Department: null
Category: Women and Child
Beneficiary Type: Individual

This scheme aims to ensure, sustain, and strengthen child protection at the family and community levels, promote family-based non-institutional care, and provide financial support to children in need.

Benefits:
&gt; **Financial Support for Vulnerable Children:**

  - Children living with biological parents or extended families receive financial assistance to meet their education, nutrition, and healthcare needs, helping prevent separation from families.

&gt; **Family-Based Foster Care Support:**

  - Children without parental care are placed with biologically unrelated foster families, ensuring a nurturing home environment. Foster parents receive financial assistance to support the child’s care, protection, and rehabilitation.

&gt; **Legal and Safe Adoption Opportunities:**

  - Children declared legally free for adoption are placed in permanent family settings through Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), ensuring their long-term emotional and social well-being.

&gt; **After-Care Support for Independent Living:**

  - Children exiting Child Care Institutions at the age of 18 are provided financial assistance up to 21 years, extendable to 23 years, to support education, skill development, employment, and smooth reintegration into society.

&gt; **Monthly Financial Assistance:**

  - A monthly grant of ₹4,000 per child is provided to State Governments under Sponsorship, Foster Care, or After-Care to ensure sustained support.

&gt; **Strengthened Child Protection Systems:**

  - State Governments are encouraged to provide additional grants and proactively identify children in need of care and protection with the support of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies.

&gt; **Transparent Approval and Monitoring Mechanism:**

  - Every district establishes a Sponsorship and Foster Care Approval Committee (SFCAC) to review, approve, and sanction assistance, ensuring accountability and timely support.

&gt; **Compliance with Legal Framework:**

  - All non-institutional care interventions are implemented in accordance with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and Rules, ensuring legality, safety, and child-centric care.

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Eligibility:
1. The applicant child must be below 18 years of age for Sponsorship, Foster Care, and Adoption.
1. The applicant child must be 18 years or above for After-Care support (up to 21 years, extendable to 23 years).
1. The applicant caregiver family shall be eligible for financial support if the annual family income is below ₹8 lakh per annum or as prescribed by the Ministry of WCD from time to time.
1. The applicant child must be willing to stay with the foster family.

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Application Process:
[Offline]
Step 1: The State Government/District Administration shall constitute a Selection Committee headed by the District Magistrate for the selection of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) staff.
Step 2: Vacancies shall be advertised by the District Administration, and eligible candidates shall submit their offline applications with the required documents.
Step 3: Applications shall be screened based on prescribed qualifications and experience. Police background verification shall be mandatory before appointment.
Step 4: Final selection shall be made by the Selection Committee. Appointment shall be subject to performance review, confidentiality norms, and scheme guidelines.

Documents Required:
Birth Certificate – proof of date of birth.
Aadhaar Card – unique identity of the child.
School-Going Certificate – proof of enrolment in school.
Vaccination Certificates – record of immunisations received.
Health Check-up Cards – record of routine medical examinations.
Other Relevant Records – any additional documents like CWC orders, foster/adoption records, or special needs certificates.