The Child Development Aide (CDA) Program, funded in part by USAID, was started by Ummeed in April 2009 with the aim of empowering community workers to identify children with special needs in their communities and provide basic interventions for these children.

In a country like India where there is widespread ignorance about disability, children with special needs often go undiagnosed in underprivileged populations. And often, even if a diagnosis is made, there is poor access to intervention as therapists are in short supply and most families simply cannot afford their services. In such circumstances, educated community aides have a huge role to play.
 
The CDA program aims to educate caregivers (teachers and social workers) who are already working with children in schools, rehabilitation centers, orphanages and other community organizations.

With the six month training at Ummeed, CDAs will gain an understanding of normal as well as delayed development, and will be able to perform three important roles in their communities:

1.   Identify children with special needs and those who are ‘at risk’; 

2.   Carry out basic therapeutic interventions in various areas of development and education; and

3.   Educate local populations regarding prevention of disabilities;

The CDA trainees will be mentored by Ummeed professionals – all of whom are qualified experts in their fields.
 
If you are an NGO or other community based organization and wish to learn more about the CDA program, please contact the CDA Program Leader, Anjali Joshi.

The curriculum for the CDA program has been developed by Ummeed with the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).