The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, successfully organised its Fourth Regional Consultative Workshop for the Western Zone in Pune, Maharashtra today ( 03 September 2026). The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA), Maharashtra, in Pune, Maharashtra.

The workshop was organised as part of CARA’s continued efforts under the Adoption Awareness Campaign 2025, themed “Promoting Non-Institutionalised Rehabilitation of Children with Special Needs (Divyaang Children)”. The campaign seeks to promote family-based care and adoption while ensuring that children with special needs have opportunities to grow and thrive in safe, nurturing and supportive family environments.

The Western Zone, comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, has a wide geographical and administrative reach. Reflecting this scale, the workshop witnessed participation from 150 stakeholders representing more than 74 districts, providing a significant platform for regional dialogue, knowledge sharing and coordination on adoption and child rehabilitation.

Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, Smt. Aditi Varda Sunil Tatkare, addressed the participating stakeholders through a video message. She encouraged all stakeholders to work collectively towards strengthening the adoption ecosystem and ensuring greater opportunities for children with special needs to find permanent, loving and supportive family environments. She emphasised the importance of continued collaboration, awareness and coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to advance the cause of family-based care and the holistic rehabilitation of Divyaang children.

Addressing the gathering, Smt. Bhavna Saxena, CEO, CARA & Member Secretary, emphasised the need for sustained and collaborative efforts to increase the adoption of children with special needs. She highlighted that CARA’s series of outreach and consultative initiatives have contributed to strengthening the adoption ecosystem. She stressed the importance of continuing rigorous and coordinated efforts to further expand opportunities for children with special needs to receive permanent family-based care.

The workshop brought together officials and stakeholders from State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), medical and healthcare professionals, and child protection experts. Their participation facilitated a multi-sectoral dialogue on strengthening adoption processes and enhancing support mechanisms for children with special needs.

Focused Deliberations on Challenges and Solutions

The deliberations focused on the current status of adoption of children with special needs across the Western Zone, sharing of successful practices and case studies, and identification of challenges affecting the adoption and rehabilitation process.

Participants discussed issues relating to medical assessments, legal and procedural requirements, financial considerations, grievance redressal and inter-departmental coordination. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening coordination between child protection and healthcare systems to ensure timely assessment, appropriate support and smoother facilitation of adoption.

The participants also engaged in group discussions to formulate practical, actionable and time-bound recommendations for strengthening adoption outreach, addressing field-level challenges and facilitating the rehabilitation of children with special needs into permanent family environments.

Special Documentary Film Showcases Transformative Power of Family-Based Care

A short documentary film depicting a successful adoption story involving children with special needs was also unveiled during the workshop. The film highlighted the transformative impact of family-based care and underscored the importance of awareness, acceptance and community support in creating positive pathways for children with special needs.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment among participating States and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, improve adoption facilitation mechanisms and promote inclusive, child-centric approaches that prioritise the best interests of children with special needs.

The recommendations emerging from the consultation are expected to inform future interventions aimed at expanding family-based care, strengthening stakeholder convergence and ensuring the holistic rehabilitation of Divyaang children across the country.

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