Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
“Ahvaan: A Call to Action: National Conference on Aftercare Services” was a groundbreaking event aimed at uniting a diverse group of stakeholders involved in the aftercare ecosystem. Hosted by Catalysts for Social Action (CSA), in partnership with A Future for Every Child (AFEC) and UNICEF, the conference gathered government agencies, NGOs, skill development institutions, and corporate partners for a collaborative exchange of knowledge and ideas. The national conference was attended by over 130 stakeholders including 6 government representatives and participants from 13 states to have a meaningful discussion on the state of Aftercare in India.
Aftercare services play a vital role in supporting young people who age out of institutional care at 18 (called ‘care leavers’), offering resources like higher education, vocational training, mentorship, psychosocial support, housing, and life skills training. However, it is estimated that two-thirds of care leavers are unaware of these services, and only a small fraction access comprehensive aftercare programs. Without such support, they face risks including poverty, unemployment, and homelessness.
This conference marks the first time that four key NGOs—CSA, AFEC, Udayan Care, and Sevalaya—have come together under a shared theory of change to address the aftercare gap. CSA’s Aftercare Program with over 2500 Care Leavers is one of the largest in the country and is running in five states and 60+ districts. Through years of implementation on the ground the program has incorporated learnings on how to make it effective in terms of measurable outcomes. It also leverages technology, HR processes and partnerships to make the program scalable.
Vipul Jain, Co-founder of CSA, stated, “We have been working on our Aftercare Program for the last five years and believe it is the largest program in the country with an annual enrolment of 600+. It is also cost efficient, effective and scalable. We are co-hosting this conference to share our program design, implementation methodology, and learnings with all stakeholders. We hope that this will spark more conversations about the cause of Aftercare Services and kickstart collective and collaborative action.”
By fostering knowledge exchange and partnerships between government bodies, NGOs, skill development institutions, and corporate partners, the conference was an attempt to create a unified approach to aftercare. It is only through such collaborations that scalable solutions can be developed to ensure every care leaver receives the support they deserve.
Key highlights of the event included a UNICEF representative discussing policy frameworks and challenges in aftercare services. Sanjay Singh, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Maharashtra, said, “UNICEF India’s commitment to its #3Cs4EveryChild approach – Convene, Converge and Catalyse, particularly in aftercare, is focused on empowering care leavers as they transition into adulthood. Through Convening, UNICEF India brings together diverse stakeholders—governments, NGOs, youth networks, and the private sector—to create a supportive ecosystem for care leavers. Converging efforts across sectors, aligns key actors to ensure coordinated action on critical issues like education, skill development, and mental health for these vulnerable youth. By catalysing policy dialogue and directly engaging care leavers, UNICEF sparks awareness and drives collective action to support their transition, ensuring they are equipped with the opportunities and resources to thrive independently.”
The conference also featured three panel discussions: Voice of Care Leavers, focusing on the challenges faced by care leavers and the need for improved awareness and access to aftercare services; Convergence and Partnerships – Building an Effective Aftercare Ecosystem, exploring how collaboration among stakeholders can create a robust support system; Experiences and Perspectives of Government Functionaries from Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra was a key panel to learn from; and Mission 2030 – Scaling Aftercare Services to Reach All Care Leavers, addressing the scaling of aftercare services nationwide to all care leavers. Additionally, two key papers were released: Effective, Scalable Aftercare Models by Gita Gopal, Co-Founder of AFEC, and From Strategy to Implementation by CSA, providing critical insights into the Aftercare Program that CSA has been implementing.
Gita Gopal, Co-founder of AFEC, shared, “We are at a pivotal moment where collaborative efforts can create a lasting impact on the lives of care leavers. Through collective action, we can build an effective, sustainable and scalable aftercare system that ensures no young adult is left behind.”