FiT Families Together

Udayan Care’s ‘FiT Families Together (FiT)’ project has a specific focus on reintegrating children back into their families and work on preventive measures of family strengthening in 3 districts of Delhi. It builds on the concept of ‘family as the essential unit of care’ for a child, and the institution as the ‘last resort of care’. Thus, it prevents separation of the child from one’s family, by strengthening and supporting the family and enabling them to keep their children and not give them up to institutionalization. The project provides close and intensive assistance to families and the local community across an indigenous developed framework called the “Circle of Care and Protection” with 10 thematic domains viz. Basic Need & Safety, Household Finances, Physical Health, Mental Health, Education and Vocation, Child Self- Awareness, Community and Social Connections, Legal Entitlements, Positive Parenting and, Hope & Faith. Since October 2021, the FiT project has been extending support to 90 families, over 500 children, and nearly 5,000 community members across 3 districts of Delhi. Guided by a preventive, family-strengthening approach, the project works to ensure children remain within nurturing family environments while reducing reliance on institutional care.

Between September and December 2025, the Child Welfare Committee referred six complex cases to FiT, recognizing the project’s effective approach to mental health services and its role as a trusted partner in child protection. During this period, key interventions included facilitating school admissions for 15 dropout children, providing career guidance, and organizing learning exposure visits to the Nehru Planetarium. Children also participated in Daan Utsav, where they sold handmade crafts created by them. The earnings were used to purchase school supplies, which were then distributed to children within their community. Additionally, 14 community children received bicycles and solar lights through Thought Bulb’s CSR initiative. These resources enabled children to reach school on time and supported their studies in areas with limited or no electricity. A batch of 14 children was also enrolled in basic computer learning classes run by another department of Udayan Care. Counselling sessions and mental health support were provided to parents to strengthen family bonds, enabling children to thrive within their families. School-based workshops on career planning and emotional management were also conducted. Five families were linked to social welfare schemes under the project’s gatekeeping mechanism approach.

A legal aid clinic was set up in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority by Karkardooma District Court. Through this clinic, 14 cases related domestic violence, complex relationships, property dispute to documentation gaps, custody issues, were addressed by a court-appointed advocate who visits the community centre every Friday. In parallel, a partnership with NIEPID is being explored to establish a bus service for persons with disabilities who require regular therapy services.

To ensure sustainability, mechanisms such as Community Ambassadors and regular Delhi state network meetings continued to strengthen referral systems and resource mobilization. Community awareness programmes on mental health, menstrual hygiene, positive parenting, health, and identity documentation created inclusive spaces for dialogue and helped reduce stigma. Through continuous family support, particularly post-restoration, the project successfully reintegrated 52 children with their families and is currently engaged in the effective phase-out of support for 27 families.

Ravi (name changed) lives with his parents and three siblings in a family of six. His father works as a rickshaw driver, while his mother is a homemaker. Due to migration from their native village and the absence of essential documents such as school transfer certificates, all four children had dropped out of school. Compounding these challenges, the two elder sons were reportedly using intoxicants, raising concerns about their health, behaviour, and overall well-being.

During the school admission process, the father fell seriously ill, further destabilizing the family and affecting their ability to manage daily responsibilities. At this critical juncture, the FiT Families Together project stepped in to provide comprehensive support.

The project played a crucial role in facilitating the children’s school enrolment by addressing documentation gaps and coordinating with schools. Parallelly, the team supported the father during his illness by accompanying him to hospitals and linking him with available health resources. To ease practical barriers to education, the family was provided with stationery, school uniforms, and a bicycle for the child whose school was located farthest from home. Following school admission, two children were also linked to minority welfare schemes to ensure continued educational support.

Emotional counselling was provided to the family, particularly during the father’s illness and other stressful periods, and coping strategies were introduced to help them manage health-related and economic challenges. Life skills sessions and workshops were conducted with the children to raise awareness about the harmful effects of substance use, especially in response to the reported involvement of the elder brothers with intoxicants. In addition, positive parenting sessions were held with the parents to strengthen family bonding and enhance their understanding of effective parenting practices.

Today, the children are regularly attending school, gradually developing healthy routines, and engaging more positively with peers and the community. With sustained support and guidance, the family is rebuilding stability and creating a safer, more nurturing environment where the children can grow, learn, and envision a better future within their own family.

Links:

• Program Details on Udayan Care India Website

• Credentials Presentation on Program (PDF)
  

“Children thrive best in safe and nurturing families, but a prerequisite for this is that families and communities are adequately supported and followed through”

-FiTProjectCommunityAmbassador

Udayan Care’s ‘FiT Families Together (FiT)’ project has a specific focus on reintegrating children into their families and working on preventive measures of family strengthening in 3 districts of Delhi. It builds on the concept of ‘family as the essential unit of care’ for a child, and the institution as the ‘last resort of care’. Thus, it prevents separation of the child from one’s family by strengthening and supporting the family and enabling them to keep their children and not give them up to institutionalisation.  The project provides close and intensive assistance to families and the local community across an indigenous developed framework called the “Circle of Care and Protection” with 10 thematic domains, viz. Basic Need & Safety, Household Finances, Physical Health, Mental Health, Education and Vocation, Child Self-Awareness, Community and Social Connections, Legal Entitlements, Positive Parenting and Hope & Faith. Since October 2021, the FiT project has been extending support to 90 families, over 500 children, and nearly 5,000 community members across 3 districts of Delhi. Guided by a preventive, family-strengthening approach, the project works to ensure children remain within nurturing family environments while reducing reliance on institutional care.

Between April and August 2025, the Child Welfare Committee referred 10 complex cases to FiT, acknowledging the project’s approach in mental health services and as a trusted partner in child protection. Interventions during this period included counselling and psychoeducation for children and parents, school workshops on resilience and emotional well-being, and daily remedial classes for more than 60 children alongside exposure visits to institutions like UNICEF to broaden their aspirations. A free legal aid desk was set up at the Family Resource Centre in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority to address documentation gaps, custody issues, and legal entitlements. At the same time, partnerships with NIEPID enabled early assessments for children with intellectual and developmental challenges. The project also invested in strengthening its own capacity through trauma-informed training for staff and launched a digital application for case tracking and data management. Sustainable mechanisms such as Children’s Groups, Community Ambassadors, and stakeholder meetings continue to foster stronger referral systems and resource mobilisation. Community awareness programs on mental health, menstrual hygiene, positive parenting, health, and identity documentation have created inclusive spaces for dialogue and reduced stigma. Through continuous family support, especially post-restoration, the project has highlighted to the child protection system the importance of ongoing engagement in effectively phasing out institutional care.

Radha (name changed), lives with her grandmother after being abandoned by both parents at a very young age. With no steady income and increasing expenses, her grandmother struggled even to provide food. She considered placing Radha and her siblings in a Child Care Institution, believing it would secure their future. At this critical stage, the FiT project stepped in. Through counselling and regular home visits, the grandmother was encouraged to explore alternatives to institutional care. The project facilitated livelihood support, enabling her to start a small tea shop that provided a stable source of income. With financial security and emotional support, Radha and her siblings continued their education and began participating in activities at the community centre. Today, Radha is not only excelling in school but also motivates her peers to study and dream of a better future. “I never thought I could raise my grandchildren on my own, but with the support I received, I now feel strong and capable. My grandchildren are happy at home, and I want them to grow up with me, not in an institution,” says Radha’s grandmother.

In another story, we have Leela (name changed), struggling with repeated academic failures. These setbacks left her disheartened, and her mother began losing faith in her education. Feeling isolated and restricted at home, Leela’s confidence deteriorated, and her risk of dropping out became very real. The FiT project intervened at this vulnerable point, providing counselling sessions that helped Leela regain self-belief and emotional strength. The team also assisted in updating her essential documents, which allowed her to continue her schooling. In parallel, her mother was engaged in positive parenting sessions that shifted her outlook, enabling her to encourage Leela rather than hold her back. Over time, their relationship improved, creating a healthier family environment. With renewed determination, Leela re-enrolled in school, is actively pursuing her studies, and has also emerged as a role model within her community.

Links:

• Program Coordinator speaking about the program
• Experience of Young Volunteers