Govt joins hands with Ummeed CDC to boost inclusive early childhood devp

SHILLONG, Sep 19: In a landmark initiative, the state government has partnered with Ummeed Child Development Centre (CDC), a leading organisation working with the WHO’s Nurturing Care Framework, to promote inclusivity in early childhood development.
According to a statement here, this partnership, launched under the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mission, was announced at a programme in the state capital on Thursday, which was attended by key stakeholders, including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
With the Meghalaya ECD Mission already making notable progress in enhancing health, nutrition and gender equality for young children in the state, the new collaboration with Ummeed CDC marks a crucial step forward by introducing the Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD), a tool designed to identify and address developmental delays in children aged 0-42 months. This tool is exclusively licensed for use and training by Ummeed CDC in India.
Unveiling the GMCD, the chief minister noted, “The Meghalaya ECD Mission has always been about ensuring the overall well-being of our children, and we are proud of the progress we have made in areas like health and nutrition. But inclusivity is key to ensuring that every child can grow and thrive, no matter their background or challenges. This partnership with Ummeed CDC marks a new era in how we approach early childhood development in Meghalaya, and it is a critical step toward creating a more inclusive future for all children.”
Reflecting on the inspiration behind Ummeed, he said, “In 2016, during a visit to Australia, a professor told us that ‘the greatest strength of India is its youth, and maybe the greatest challenge is its youth’. This insight has been a guiding force for us and is embedded in the core of Ummeed.”
Emphasising the broader impact of Ummeed, Conrad continued, “Beyond early childhood, our vision includes fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Through the CM Elevate program, we aim to support 20,000 entrepreneurs, driving our state’s economic growth and creating opportunities for our youth.”
Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar, on the other hand, emphasised the significance of the ambitious programme, which sets out to address the developmental needs of every child in Meghalaya.
“This is not just another programme with limited targets. The goal is to ensure no child is left behind, and every child in the state is given the chance to thrive,” he said.
Describing the mission as a blend of both “science and love”, Kumar pointed out that every parent’s natural care for their child can be harnessed with the right support, turning Meghalaya into a model state for child development.
With nearly 49 per cent of the state’s population comprising children, he said, “Meghalaya is truly a children’s state”.
Ummeed CDC Founder Dr. Vibha Krishnamurthy, who has over 25 years of experience working with children with disabilities and their families, expressed her delight at the initiative and remarked, “This project is truly pioneering, not just in Meghalaya, but across South Asia and the Asia Pacific. I cannot tell you how honoured and delighted I am to be introducing you all to this work that we will soon be doing together. 23 years ago, when I first entered this field, I encountered the shocking statistic that 15% of children in low and middle-income countries have some form of disability—this amounts to 52 million children in India alone.”
She emphasised that early detection and intervention are essential for these children, especially during the critical first three years of brain development when synaptic connections in the brain form at an astonishing rate.
“The good news is that promoting child development and early identification of challenges can lead to improved outcomes—better school performance, improved health, and greater future employment prospects. The Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD) is a tool that does not stigmatize, but instead supports caregivers in creating nurturing environments and teaching interventions for optimal child development,” She said.
Dr. Krishnamurthy concluded by highlighting how early childhood intervention could increase future earnings by up to 25 per cent for children, ensuring long-term benefits for the state’s growth and development.
It may be mentioned that under the new initiative, over 15,000 frontline workers such as ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, community-based Rehabilitation Workers, and Community Gender and Health Activists would be imparted training using the GMCD.
These frontline workers will be equipped with the skills to assess and monitor child development, identifying potential delays early and ensuring timely interventions.