Scheme For Soft Loan To The Grant-in-aid/ Non-grant In Aid Institutions For Maintenance And Upgradation Of Infrastructure Facilities 2026

Goa's Foster Care Scheme (Vatsalaya) provides temporary care for children facing difficult situations, ensuring they have a Read More... safe environment when parents cannot provide care due to illness, death, or other crises. Read less

Details

Life throws challenges at every family, and sometimes, children find themselves in situations where their parents can't provide the care they need. That's where the Foster Care Scheme (Vatsalaya) comes in. Launched by the Department of Women & Child Development in Goa, this scheme is a ray of hope, offering a supportive temporary home for children facing tough times.

What Is The Foster Care Scheme (Vatsalaya)?

The Vatsalaya scheme aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children whose parents are unable to care for them. This could be due to serious illness, the death of a parent, desertion, or any other emotional crisis the family might be going through. It's about ensuring that children don't have to face adversity alone, offering them substitute care until their situation improves or a more permanent solution is found.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is designed for children who are in difficult circumstances. This includes children affected by family breakdowns, marital discord, or crises like illness or substance abuse within the family. If a child's safety is at risk, or if they are orphaned, abandoned, or cannot be placed for adoption, they might also be eligible. The scheme also aims to help children in institutions who can be reintegrated into families.

Why This Scheme Is Important

For children facing difficult family situations, a stable and loving environment is crucial for their development. This scheme ensures that children continue to receive care and support, preventing them from being left without a home or facing further hardship. By providing foster families and financial assistance, the scheme helps protect the well-being and future of these children, offering them a chance for a normal childhood.

Objective

Goa's Foster Care Scheme (Vatsalaya) provides temporary care for children facing difficult situations, ensuring they have a safe environment when parents cannot provide care due to illness, death, or other crises.

Benefits

As Goa Education Development Corporation is a Grant in Aid Corporation, Soft loan beneficiaries are assisted by taking loans from Economic Development Corporation and further disbursing it as below:50% of the Loan AmountReleased immediately on the issue of sanction order by the Directorate of Higher Education.40% of the Loan AmountReleased on the production of a certificate from a Government Registered Engineer duly signed by a Chartered Accountant and College Principal/Head of Institution; to the effect that the first instalment of 50% has been fully utilized for the purpose for which it was granted.10% of the Loan AmountReleased subject to the following three conditions:a) Production of a certificate from a Government Registered Engineer duly signed by a Chartered Accountant and College Principal/Head of Institution; to the effect that 40% of the loan amount has been fully utilized for the purpose for which it was granted.b) The project is completed and a completion certificate for that effect is produced by the Management.c) The occupancy certificate is issued by a competent authority to the satisfaction of the Directorate of Higher Education.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

For Children:

A child may qualify for foster care if they meet at least one of these conditions:

Experiencing family breakdown or marital disputes.
Facing upheaval due to family illness, substance abuse, or other crises.
Whose safety is at risk.
Affected by natural or man-made disasters.
Orphaned, surrendered, relinquished, or abandoned.
Cannot be placed for adoption for various reasons.
Children in institutions who can be reunited with their families.
Children who are in conflict with the law.

For Foster Parents:

As per Section 35 of the Model Rules of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act:

Must have stable emotional adjustment within the family.
Must have sufficient income to meet the child's basic needs.
All family members residing at the home need to undergo medical fitness checks, including tests for HIV, TB, and Hepatitis B.
Must have adequate experience, orientation, and capacity for providing good child care.
Must be physically, mentally, and emotionally stable.
The foster home must have adequate space and basic facilities.
Must be willing to follow the scheme's rules, including regular pediatrician visits, child immunization, and maintaining health records.
Must be willing to sign an agreement and return the child to the Child Welfare Committee if directed.
Must be willing to attend training or orientation programs on child care and health.
Must encourage the child's education and be willing to send them to regular school or vocational training.

Important Notes:

Foster parent selection should not discriminate based on caste, religion, ethnicity, disability, or health status. The child's best interests are paramount. Preferably, the foster family should have a similar socio-economic and cultural background.
The foster care allowance should not be the primary motivation for caring for a child. Foster families should not be solely dependent on this allowance. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) will assess if the family's income is adequate for the foster child.

How To Apply

The process for applying for foster care involves several steps to ensure the child's well-being and suitability of the foster family:

Initial Meeting: Prospective foster parents meet with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for preliminary inquiries and to understand the scheme details.
Child Study Report: The Child Care Coordinator prepares a Child Study Report within 15 days, providing information about the child needing foster care.
Foster Parent Assessment: The Child Care Coordinator conducts a thorough assessment of prospective foster parents. This includes home visits, interviews with family members, and talking to others like anganwadi workers or school staff to gauge their suitability and motivation.
Assessment Report: The assessment report is presented to the Child Welfare Committee within 15 days for review and approval. NGOs may assist in this process if needed.
Opinion and Bonding: Prospective foster parents can share their opinion on the placement within a week and are allowed to visit the child at least twice a week for bonding before the placement.
Placement and Agreement: If approved, the child is placed with the foster family. The foster family signs an agreement outlining their responsibilities and the terms of the placement.

For more details or to start the application process, you can contact the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Goa, or the Child Welfare Committee.

Documents Required

Applicants for the Foster Care Scheme (Vatsalaya) will typically need to provide the following documents:

Identity Proof
Proof of Residence
Employment Certificate
Health Reports (for all family members)
Income Certificate
Birth Certificates (of the child/children)
Marriage Certificates (if applicable)
Death Certificates (if applicable, e.g., for deceased parents)

Official Sources:

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding documentation and the application process, please refer to the official website of the Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Goa.

FAQ’s

What happens after the Child Care Coordinator finishes assessing potential foster parents?

Once the Child Care Coordinator completes the assessment of prospective foster parents, the detailed report is submitted to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) within 15 days. The CWC then discusses the report and gives its approval. If the Coordinator needs help during this evaluation, they can get assistance from NGOs.

How are children in foster care monitored for their health and progress?

Foster parents are responsible for taking the child for an annual medical check-up. Additionally, the Child Care Coordinator puts together a yearly progress report. This report includes updates on the child's school performance, medical test results, and an evaluation of how well the foster placement is working.

What support services are available for foster families when they need them?

The government offers extra help to foster families if needed. This can include financial and material aid for things like transport and medical bills. They can also be connected with other community services such as family counseling, child guidance clinics, community centers, and rehabilitation services.

What's the procedure for returning a child from foster care to their biological parents or legal guardians?

Before a child is returned to their biological family, the Child Care Coordinator does a social investigation to check if the family is suitable and can be considered a 'fit person' to care for the child. The findings are then presented to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which officially declares the family 'fit' for the child's return.

What should people applying for foster care know about their responsibilities?

Anyone applying to be a foster parent should be aware of their role in carrying out rehabilitation plans for the child. They should also know that the Child Care Coordinator or a designated Case Worker will make regular visits to assess the placement. Information on the expected duration of the placement and reasons why a placement might end will also be provided.

How do the Child Welfare Committee and Child Care Coordinators get help in their work?

The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the two Child Care Coordinators are supported by a professional team. This team includes specialists like a Social Worker, Child Psychologist, Legal Expert, and a Doctor. These professionals are chosen from a list of experts approved by the CWC.

What is done to prepare foster families before a child is placed with them?

Before a child is placed in foster care, the family receives orientation and ongoing training from the Child Care Coordinator and the Department of Women and Child Development. These sessions are designed to help foster parents understand the needs and behaviors of children, and to clearly define their roles and responsibilities.

How often are foster care placements checked to see how they are going?

The Child Care Coordinator regularly checks on the foster care placement and presents these assessment reports to the Child Welfare Committee for review. During the first year, visits happen every three months. After the first year, these assessment visits are conducted twice a year.

What is a Child Study Report, and who is responsible for creating it?

A Child Study Report is prepared by the Child Care Coordinator. This report contains essential details about a child who is being considered for foster care, and it needs to be completed within 15 days of the child being identified.

What are the initial steps when a family expresses interest in fostering a child under this scheme?

When families apply for foster care, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) holds an initial meeting with them. This meeting is for preliminary inquiries and to provide the applicants with a clear understanding of the foster care scheme.

What happens after the initial meeting for prospective foster parents?

Following the initial meeting, prospective foster parents are given a week to share their thoughts about the placement. They are also allowed to visit the child at least twice a week to build a connection and bond before the formal placement takes place.

What kind of activities are organized for foster parents and the children in foster care?

The Child Care Coordinator organizes regular programs for foster parents and children. These programs focus on improving parenting skills and raising awareness about health, immunization, and nutrition. Special interactive sessions for both foster parents and children are also part of these activities.

Are there any financial incentives for biological families who get their child back after foster care?

If a biological family or legal guardian needs financial help to care for their child after the child is restored to them from foster care, they can be directed to apply for assistance under the Sponsorship Scheme.

What are the conditions for placing a child with foster parents?

When placing a child, careful consideration is given to the age and sex of any existing children in the foster family. Usually, no more than two children are placed in a foster home, unless they are siblings who must stay together. Foster parents are counseled on potential behavioral issues, and the child's emotional and psychological state is discussed to help them manage any challenges. The child's opinion is also sought whenever possible. For children in conflict with the law, the Juvenile Justice Board might refer them to the Child Welfare Committee for foster placement procedures.

What if a child needing foster care has potential foster parents who are relatives or close family friends?

In situations where potential foster parents are related to the child (like relatives or family friends), the Child Welfare Committee may allow the child to stay with that family during the inquiry and assessment period. This helps the child maintain some normalcy in their routine while the process is ongoing.

How are case files for foster care handled?

The Child Care Coordinator is responsible for keeping individual case files for every foster care case. These files document important information such as the child's school progress reports, medical examinations, and evaluation findings related to the foster placement.