Woman and Child Development Department

Introduction

The Centrally Sponsored Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was first implemented in Maharashtra on October 2, 1975, in Dharni Taluka of Amravati district and gradually extended across the entire state. In Beed district, this scheme has been operational since June 1993. Under the ICDS scheme sponsored by the Central Government, beneficiaries include children aged 0 to 6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls aged 11 to 18 years, and women aged 15 to 45 years through various programs.

Vision, Goals, and Objectives of the Department:

Improve the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 6 years.
Lay the foundation for the proper mental, physical, and social development of children.
Reduce child mortality, morbidity, malnutrition, and school dropout rates.
Educate mothers on nutrition to enhance their ability to take better care of their children’s general health and nutrition.
Foster effective coordination among various departments for policy implementation to promote child development.

Services Provided

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is listed under the Maharashtra Public Service Guarantee Act, 2015.

The following table provides an overview of the services provided
Service	Beneficiary Type	Service Provider
Supplementary Nutrition	Children below 6 years	Anganwadi Worker/Helper
Immunization	Children below 6 years, Pregnant and Lactating Women	ANM/MO with support from Health Department
Health Checkups	Children below 6 years, Pregnant and Lactating Women	Health Department, ICDS, ANM/MO, Anganwadi Worker
Referral Services	Children below 6 years, Pregnant and Lactating Women	Health Department, ICDS, ANM/MO, Anganwadi Worker
Informal Preschool Education	Children aged 3 to 6 years	Anganwadi Worker
Health & Nutrition Education	Women aged 15 to 45 years	Health Department, ICDS, ANM/MO, Anganwadi Worker

Departmental Activities and Schemes
Training and Empowerment Programs

Establishment of Counseling Centers for Women:

The selection of counselors and advisors will be conducted by a committee consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, District Government Lawyer, Senior Judicial Magistrate (JFMC), and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Child Welfare).
Counselors in newly established and existing counseling centers will receive enhanced honorarium as per the Government Resolution dated March 10, 2011, subject to available funds.

Computer Training for Girls Who Passed 10th & 12th Grade:

Beneficiaries must have passed at least the 10th grade.
Financial assistance is available only for MSCIT or equivalent courses taken during the financial year.
The maximum assistance per beneficiary is Rs. 2500/- or the course fee, whichever is lower.
No family member should be a Gram Panchayat/Panchayat Samiti/Zilla Parishad member or a government/semi-government employee (certificate from Gram Sevak required).
No income criteria are applicable.
Beneficiaries must be selected through Gram Sabha.

Training for Adolescent Girls and Women on Gender, Health & Family Planning:

Training sessions can be organized in schools/colleges as needed.
Each training session should last 1 to 2 hours.
Schools/colleges will be paid Rs. 400/- per session as an honorarium for experts.
The honorarium will be paid at the Panchayat Samiti level based on school/college demands.
The program will be conducted in coordination with ICDS and the Health Department.
Grants for the program will be distributed through the Panchayat Samiti.

Legal Advice for Women:

Training sessions will be conducted in collaboration with the State Women’s Commission and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) or with expert assistance.
Trainers will receive Rs. 500/- per session as an honorarium.
Legal guidance camps will be organized at the taluka level through ICDS project offices.
An honorarium of Rs. 2000/- per session will be provided to trainers through the Panchayat Samiti.

Anganwadi Infrastructure Development:

Rs. 36,000/- per center will be provided for toilet construction in Anganwadi centers.
Rs. 11,25,000/- per center will be provided for building construction.
Funds will be prioritized for needy centers with committee approval.

Study Tours for Women Representatives:

Study tours will be organized for Gram Panchayat/Panchayat Samiti/Zilla Parishad female members to learn about Panchayati Raj, Model Villages, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Development initiatives.
Up to Rs. 5 lakh can be spent on one or multiple study tours with committee approval.

Awards for Model Anganwadi/Balwadi Workers:

Awards will be given to outstanding workers from each project.
Selection will be based on predefined criteria through proposals submitted by project offices.
The available funds will determine the award amount, location, and event planning under the Women & Child Welfare Committee.
The committee will manage expenses for the award ceremony.

Adolescent Girls’ Health Scheme:

This scheme will be implemented with the cooperation of the Zilla Parishad’s Health Department.
Under this scheme, essential health-related items will be distributed to adolescent girls with the approval of the Women & Child Welfare Committee.

Additional Nutrition for Malnourished Children:

In rural/tribal areas, double meals are provided to malnourished children in Anganwadis.
Since this may not be sufficient, additional nutrition such as Micronutrient Supplement Syrup or essential food/medicines will be supplied with 100% funding.
Monthly malnutrition reports from projects will determine the distribution of supplements.
The Bal Vikas Project Officer will coordinate with local health department officials for proper administration.

Provision of Weighing Scales for Anganwadi Centers:

Weighing scales will be provided as per the defined conditions.
Priority will be given to Anganwadi/Balwadi centers that have not previously received this benefit.
The scheme will be implemented based on demand and available budget through committee approval.