The State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) under the Mission Vatsalya Scheme organised an Adoption Awareness Programme on the theme “Adoption of Special Needs Children,” bringing together prospective adoptive parents, adoption officials and child welfare experts for an in-depth discussion on the process and challenges associated with adopting children who require specialised care. The event, held at the Conference Hall of the Department of Industries in Sri Vijaya Puram, was sponsored by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
A total of 60 participants attended the programme both physically and virtually, reflecting the growing interest among families seeking guidance on adopting children with diverse care requirements. Participants included prospective adoptive parents, adoptive parents from across the islands and officials representing social welfare, healthcare and child protection bodies.
The programme began with a welcome address by the Programme Manager, SARA (In-charge), who emphasised the importance of spreading accurate information about adoption procedures and ensuring that prospective parents understand the support frameworks available. The session proceeded with the lighting of the lamp and the formal inauguration of the event by the Assistant Director (Training and Media) from CARA.
The inaugural address highlighted the legal framework governing adoption in India, including guidelines under CARA with particular reference to children with special needs. The official discussed the current status of children available in the adoption pool, the classification of special needs cases and state-specific challenges that families may encounter once they initiate the adoption process.
Throughout the programme, speakers stressed the significance of ensuring that children with special needs are integrated into stable, nurturing family environments. Experts from G.B. Pant Hospital and the Directorate of Social Welfare elaborated on medical assessments, counselling support and post-adoption procedures that help families integrate children successfully. They also discussed the technical aspects involved in matching children with prospective parents based on medical, emotional and developmental needs.
One of the key segments of the event was the detailed presentation by the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee. The session covered step-by-step procedures for adoption, including registration, home study reports, placement norms, monitoring mechanisms and the documentation required at different stages of the process. The speaker underlined that adopting a child with special needs requires not only compassion but also a thorough understanding of the long-term medical and emotional responsibilities involved.
Officials underscored the growing relevance of such awareness programmes, noting that families often lack clarity about the legal and procedural requirements for adopting children who need advanced support. The event provided an opportunity for parents to ask questions related to eligibility, timelines, counselling resources, financial support and the role of social welfare authorities throughout the adoption journey.
The programme also created a platform for adoptive parents of special needs children to share their experiences and insights, highlighting both the challenges and rewards associated with adoption. Participants were encouraged to remain engaged with SARA for continuous guidance as they navigate the adoption process.
The Mission Vatsalya Scheme, under which SARA functions, aims to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing environment, with adoption being a key component for children without parental care. By conducting awareness programmes, the agency seeks to expand the adoption ecosystem, enhance transparency and encourage more families to consider adopting children with diverse needs.
Officials concluded the session by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the adoption support system in the islands. They urged prospective adoptive parents to remain in contact with SARA for follow-up consultations, documentation assistance and further training sessions planned in the coming months.
