0 months ago
DFGC, UNICEF India Renew Partnership for Early Childhood Disability Care
A foundation called DFGC and a big organization called UNICEF India are working together to help babies and young children who may have disabilities or need extra help growing.
They made an agreement to keep working together for three more years, starting in August 2026.
Grown-ups like doctors and health workers are being taught how to spot early when a child needs help.
Catching problems early is very important because a baby's brain grows a lot in the first few years.
In the past phase, they trained more than 20,000 health workers and 50,000 doctors.
They also made care better at 2,200 Anganwadi centres, which are community places that look after young children.
Special centres were set up where doctors learn and teach others how to help children.
Now they plan to open even more places where children can get check-ups and support.
They also want to help families take better care of children with disabilities.
The goal is to make sure every child in India can grow up healthy and reach their full potential.
DFGC and UNICEF India renewed their strategic partnership to strengthen disability-inclusive early childhood development in India.
The new partnership phase runs from August 2026 to July 2029, building on the first phase from 2023 to 2026.
During the first phase, more than 20,000 frontline workers and 50,000 paediatricians were trained.
Nurturing care was strengthened across 2,200 Anganwadi centres and Centres of Excellence were established to support clinical care, training and mentoring.
The next phase will expand District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) and deepen support for families and caregivers.
- Who
- Divi's Foundation for Gifted Children (DFGC), led by Managing Trustee Nilima Prasad Divi, and UNICEF India, represented by Cynthia McCaffrey.
- What
- Renewed their strategic partnership to strengthen disability-inclusive early childhood development and the early identification of developmental delays.
- Where
- India.
- When
- The new phase of the partnership runs from August 2026 to July 2029.
- Why
- To identify children with developmental delays earlier, connect families to timely support, and ensure every child can thrive and reach their full potential.
Key facts
- Partners
- Divi's Foundation for Gifted Children (DFGC) & UNICEF India
- New Phase Duration
- August 2026 – July 2029
- First Phase Duration
- 2023 – 2026
- Frontline Workers Trained
- More than 20,000
- Paediatricians Trained
- More than 50,000
- Anganwadi Centres
- 2,200
- Agreement Signed By
- Nilima Prasad Divi (DFGC) and Cynthia McCaffrey (UNICEF India)
Quotes
Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative, UNICEF India
UNICEF India Representative
“The earliest years of a child's life determine how they develop, learn and thrive in later years. Through this renewed partnership, UNICEF will support strengthening systems that help early detection of developmental delays, connect children and families to timely support, and advance disability-inclusive services so that every child is enabled to reach their full potential.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Creating lasting impact for children requires strong partnerships and resilient public systems. Our partnership with UNICEF reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of ability or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we are strengthening disability-inclusive early childhood development systems that can deliver lasting change.”
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