In Gujarat, Miracle Foundation India is working alongside communities, government departments and frontline stakeholders to strengthen locally-led child protection systems. Through Village Child Welfare and Protection Committee (VCWPC) meetings held in Sakri (Mehsana district), Sihada (Chotta Udepur district) and Desar (Vadodara district) between July 10-15, 2026, stakeholders worked together to identify families requiring additional care and support, facilitate government scheme linkages and ensure timely follow-up.

In Sakri, VCWPC members strengthened their role in supporting families, with each member agreeing to follow up with approximately three to five families and support scheme linkages. In Desar, 54 families were identified and 17 prioritized for emergency and educational support, while in Sihada, stakeholders strengthened the Bal Panchayat, planned a dedicated Child Protection Committee and initiated the formation of a Youth Group. Together, these efforts are helping communities and local systems spot concerns earlier, take collective action and ensure children and families can access the support they need to stay safe and thrive.

The community-led work was reinforced at the Vadodara District Child Protection Committee meeting on July 2, 2026, chaired by the District Collector, where the Desar pilot project was reviewed and appreciated. The Collector encouraged continued community-level implementation and assured district administration’s support. So far, eight families have been linked to the Palak Mata-Pita Scheme, with three additional cases under process.

Together, these efforts show how stronger links between communities and government systems can help identify concerns early and connect families with timely support. For Miracle Foundation India, this is an important step towards building locally-owned, responsive child protection systems that can sustain support for children and families close to home.