Vulnerable Children of Maharashtra A Report on the Status of Children Orphaned by COVID – 19

Researchers contacted all CWCs (Child Welfare Committees) and DCPUs (District Child Protection Units) across all 36 districts of Maharashtra. However, not all CWC sand DCPUs agreed to be interviewed and the available percentage reflects the numbers that agreed to speak. Morsel enumerators asked CWCs about their staffing and funding as well as the status of placing children orphaned by COVID-19. This included questions on adoption and foster care in the state. Morsel enumerators also had questions on the monitoring mechanisms used during the pandemic. DCPUs were asked about administrative problem s faced by them during and before theCOVID-19 pandemic and whether there were any problems faced in implementing the schemes and home study reports. Morsel enumerators asked both CWCs and DCPUs  about their opinion on home-based care versus institutional care. For the CCIs we interviewed, they are representative of the entire geographical span of Maharashtra. Access to CCIs proved difficult and Morsel enumerators were given limited permission to speak to management in only some CCIs. Permission to speak to children was denied across all CCIs in the state. Therefore, the number of CCI sinter viewed is lower in number and information from them is presented in an anecdotal form. CCIs were asked about the number of orphans and other CNCP that were placed with them during the pandemic and about how the education and health of orphans was managed during the pandemic. This was followed by questions on processes and procedures of placement of children in CCIs, along with monitoring mechanisms implemented by CWCs during the pandemic. Researchers also asked questions related to funding and donations during this time. The questions for CCIs were repeated to differentiate their experiences during the first wave and the second wave of COVID-19 in India. Morsel enumerators also spoke to officials at the Women and Child Development Commissionerate, Pune as well as the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai to receive data on the number of orphans and CNCP, and understand the basis for the implementation of  the schemes