1. What is CHILDLINE India Foundation?
CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) is the central nodal agency for replicating the CHILDLINE service. It was established on 28th May 1999 and registered under the Society's Registration Act of 1960 and the Bombay Public Trust Act of 1890.
2. Is it similar to other organisations working with children?
There are hundreds of NGOs that work with marginalised children. Some run shelters, some run skill & educational facilities, some run counselling services, some run health care establishments, etc. Some organisations fund NGOs. CIF is a link service that links children in distress to organisations that can rehabilitate them. In essence, CIF sets up a single window framework through a tele-helpline service - CHILDLINE 1098 - which can be accessed easily by any child. CIF is the parent organisation for the CHILDLINE network, now functional in 346 cities. Its role includes systematic preparatory activity in a city/district before the initiation of the CHILDLINE service, close monitoring of the CHILDLINE service after its initiation, and research on areas related to child protection based on calls received by CHILDLINE, Communications and Strategic Initiatives on issues related to child protection.
3. How is CHILDLINE replicated?
CIF follows a systematic model of replication, which includes studying the need of the children and the required scope of the service, selection of organisations, capacity building the team, training and orientation of Government and non Government agencies, and intensive outreach and awareness programmes with children. Several organisations work closely as part of the CHILDLINE network. These range from a 24-hour call receiving centre located out of a shelter or hospital to community-based support organisations with intensive outreach programmes and academic institutes to coordinate research, documentation etc.
4. What relationship does CIF have with CHILDLINE in the cities?
CIF shares a very vibrant and dynamic relationship with each city/district. It is the backbone of the CHILDLINE service in any city providing support from the background. However, each city is encouraged to adapt the CHILDLINE service to the needs of the children and local socio-cultural contexts so long as they adhere to specific prescribed standards CIF sets.
5. Who comprises CHILDLINE India Foundation?
Representation on the organisation's Governing Board is a third Government, the rest comprising representation from the corporate sector, academic institutions, concerned citizens and NGOs. The CIF team includes trained social workers, software professionals, journalists, academicians, accountants, ex-street youth etc.
6. What are the plans for the future?
● Reach out to children in every district of the country
● Awareness about CHILDLINE among every Indian child
● Set up a national database on child protection services
● Initiation of needs based services for children in need
● Revolutionise the non-profit sector through our example of the adaptation of technology to the development
7. How can a corporate contribute to CIF?
Co-branding or Cause marketing initiatives
Donations
Employee giving
Lend services and facilities
8. Is it easy to sustain a network so extensive?
Sustaining a network across the country demands a lot of flexibility and adaptation and having to accept loads of brickbats. Maintaining a partnership between the Government and non-government agencies is exceptionally challenging. However, it puts CIF in a unique position where we can learn from the experiences of some and share them with others, which is very enriching.
9. How is CIF able to monitor service in so many cities?
Periodical visits to the cities, daily communication through the net, formal reporting systems, connectivity through ChildNET, a software package designed to capture every call nationally, analyse the data and present reports.
