Centre seeks to revamp child care scheme in urban areas

News: NITI Aayog will develop draft policy for enhancing ICDS programme in urban areas.

Facts:

Integrated Child Development scheme

• Launched in 1975, the scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Objectives:

• Improvement in the health and nutritional status of children 0–6 years and pregnant and lactating mothers.
• Reduction in the incidence of their mortality and school drop out
• Psychological, physical and social development of the child.
• Enhancement of the maternal education

Beneficiaries:

• Children 0–6 years of age
• Pregnant and lactating mothers
• Women 15–44 year of age
• Since 1991 adolescent girls up to the age of 18 years for non-formal education and training on health and nutrition

Services:

• Supplementary Nutrition
• Pre-school non-formal education
• Nutrition & health education
• Immunization
• Health check-up and
• Referral services

Mechanism:

• The services arc extended to the target community at a focal point ‘Anganwadi’ (AWC)
• AWC is managed by female worker ‘Anganwadi Worker'(AWW) who is the key community level functionary