Page 200 - economic review

SOCIAL SERVICE172

Adoption Services

4.146 20 Specialized Adoption Agencies, 5 recognized adoption placement agencies for inter-
country adoption and 20 licensed adoption placement agencies are functioning in Kerala. During
2010-11 to 2013- 2014, 760 in–country and 91 inter-country adoption took place. Details of adopted
children are given in Appendix 4.70.

Fig 4.8
Trends in in-country and Inter-country adoption in Kerala

Source:Department of Social Justice, Kerala

Childline Services

4.147 Childline system is a 24-hour toll free telephone service (1098) for children in distress. The
service is now available in 278 cities in India and 15 in Kerala (3 in Rural and 12 in urban). The childline
service would be strengthened further in consultation with NGOs and other voluntary organizations.

Institutional Services under JJ Act

4.148 The institutional services under JJ Act are: Observation homes, Children’s homes, Special
homes, and After Care homes. There are 27 JJ institutions run by SJD in the state for the care and
protection of children. Existing homes should be upgraded to meet the minimum standards of care
as laid down in the JJ rules. Lack of infrastructure facilities envisaged in the JJ rules, absence of
trained personnel and periodic monitoring of these institutions are some of the other problems to be
addressed.

Major Welfare Schemes for Children

a. Cancer Suraksha for Child Patients

4.149 The flagship programme by KSSM give free treatment to the child patients below the age of
eighteen through Government approved hospitals. The scheme assisted 636 child patients during
2013-14 and 234 child patients from 1/4/2014 to 30/9/2014.

Kerala State Planning Board