TARA FAMILY INTERVENTION (TFI) Programme Stakeholder Consultation!

On 7 July 2026 TARA convened its first Stakeholder Consultation on "The Role of Stakeholders in Strengthening Family-Based Care" at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

Bringing together government representatives, child protection experts, and civil society organisations, the consultation created a platform to reflect on one shared goal: how can we strengthen families and child protection systems so that every child receives the care that is in their best interests?

The consultation also showcased the progress of TARA's Family Intervention (TFI) Programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Delhi, developed by TARA in close collaboration with the Child Welfare Committees of two districts. The program demonstrates how structured, consistent, and coordinated support can strengthen vulnerable families while complementing the existing child protection system. Designed as a scalable and replicable model, TFI works closely with Child Welfare Committees to provide tailored socio-emotional support to children, families, and caregivers, helping prevent unnecessary family separation wherever it is safe and appropriate. Over 15 months, the program has supported 37 children, alongside their families and caregivers.

We were honoured to welcome Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Delhi, who delivered the keynote address. She highlighted the importance of family strengthening, community engagement as embedded in the Juvenile Justice Act, reinforced in Mission Vatsalya guidelines, while reflecting on the critical role of Child Welfare Committees, District Child Protection Units, and Civil Society Stakeholders in ensuring children receive the care and protection they need through cross-cutting collaborations.

The stakeholder discussions reinforced that every child's circumstances are unique and that care decisions must always be guided by the child's best interests. Participants recognised that, in many situations, timely family strengthening interventions can enable children to remain safely within their families, while also reaffirming the continued importance of quality alternative care when children cannot do so. The dialogue highlighted opportunities to deepen parental and community engagement, strengthen implementation under Mission Vatsalya, and expand investment in evidence-informed family strengthening initiatives.

The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen family-based care through stronger partnerships, trauma-informed practice, and collective action.

For TARA, this consultation represents more than a milestone, it marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to demonstrate how government, civil society, and communities can work together to build a scalable model for strengthening families within India's child protection system.