Family care provides the warmth and support that institutions often cannot replicate, something every child deserves. Yet in places like Chhota Udepur, widespread poverty, limited livelihood options, and seasonal migration often force families into tough choices. Many children are referred to Child Care Institutions (CCIs) when what they truly need is support to stay within their families.
In alignment with its vision to create a family for every child and building on its impactful work across states, Miracle Foundation India began working in Gujarat in 2019 with Child Protection Functionaries and families in Dumali Gram Panchayat, Chhota Udepur district. In parallel, we also engaged with child protection functionaries at the state level across Gujarat. By 2020, we partnered with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), gradually deepening our engagement and focusing on family strengthening. The real turning point occurred on August 5, 2024, when the district formally declared its commitment (issued a Letter of Intent (LOI)) to prioritize community-based prevention and family-centered care.
Since September 2, 2024, Miracle Foundation India has been working with the DCPU and District Magistrate on community prevention programs, focusing on capacity-building and case-based gatekeeping with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). In Chhota Udepur, which has only one CCI of boys, monthly discussions with CWC, DCPU, and CCI staff ensure cases are discussed, challenges addressed, and admissions to the CCI are decided jointly—so that only children without family support or at clear risk enter CCIs.
As CWC Chairperson Ms. Joly states, “All CCI applications should be reviewed in detail, and opinions given solely based on the child’s need and care; approvals should not be given indiscriminately.” CWC member Mr. Mukesh also reinforces that priority must go to orphans or children with no support.
Understanding the Challenge
Early on, it became clear that many referrals to the CCI were linked with entrenched poverty, fragile livelihoods, and the pressures of seasonal migration. Many families, especially single parents, struggle to provide for their children without adequate state or community support. Recognizing this, the efforts were targeted towards addressing root causes, not just symptoms.
From Data to Decisions: The Collaborative Approach
Between August 2024 and June 2025, 62 applications for the institutionalization of children in CCIs were reviewed. Instead of processing these mechanically, the committee conducted 12 home visits, examined Social Investigation Reports, and engaged with the concerned parents and children. As a result, 7 children are being supported to remain with their families, while 5 were placed temporarily in CCIs with active reintegration follow-up. Most applications during June and July—when numbers usually spike—were linked to the reopening of schools in the city. The reason being parents, who are seasonal migrant workers/labourers and are unable to care for their children while away for work, viewed the CCI as a hostel, believing it would keep their children safe while ensuring access to education. This evidence-driven process helped distinguish between cases that required urgent institutional care and those where family strengthening was possible with support.
The CWC and CCI staff also began proactively reviewing the cases of children already in care. Based on assessments and Individual Care Plans, 22 children were selected for reintegration. So far, 16 children are back home with their families and receiving support through sponsorship and government schemes, such as PM Awas Yojana and livelihood programs.
Amidst the numbers, real stories stand out. In one case, a mother of two boys—Ronak (name changed), in grade 7 already in the CCI, and his younger brother Rinku—requested the CWC to place Rinku in the CCI as well. The committee recognized this challenge and decided Rinku should remain with his mother, who could care for him with proper support. She is now being linked to PM Awas Yojana and livelihood schemes, while Ronak’s reintegration will follow once conditions allow. This assessment process covered education, physical and mental health, economic stability, social relationships, and living conditions.
The challenges remain: limited livelihood opportunities in remote areas and deep-rooted poverty that demand sustained attention. Many families are also migrants and often lack essential documents, which makes accessing government schemes and benefits difficult. Yet these very challenges point us toward the solutions by raising awareness, strengthening livelihoods, and helping families secure the documents they need.
This experience shows that when CWC and CCI teams are continually supported, they become stronger champions for children. Systematic, strength-based assessments help identify the right support for families, and most importantly, ongoing family strengthening is creating the conditions for children to grow up safe, loved, and supported within their own homes.
Looking Ahead
Miracle Foundation India and its partners remain committed to strengthening families and preventing unnecessary institutionalization across Chhota Udepur and beyond. Future priorities include further capacity-building for child protection actors, enhancing local livelihood options, and deepening engagement with vulnerable communities.
Conclusion
The gatekeeping role of the CWC, combined with Miracle Foundation India’s evidence-based, collaborative approach, is putting children’s rights where they belong: at the center. Each child kept safely within the family, each parent supported, and each reintegration success is a step toward a stronger, more just child protection system in Chhota Udepur.
Every child deserves not just survival, but the warmth, dignity, and love of family. The journey continues, with hope as its strongest ally.
Author: Geeta Desai, State Head- Gujarat, Miracle Foundation India
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of Miracle Foundation India.