The state of Kerala in S. India takes pride in its cent percent literacy, lowest Infant Morality Rates (IMR) (Comparable to Western rates) in the country. WHO and UNICEF exhibit Kerala as a model for what can be achieved for children in a third world country with appropriate NGO action.

Two major lacunae in the care of children in the State, nay the country are being focussed on now :

Urban slums have large numbers of deprived children. There are no Primary Health Centres for urban slums. There is an abysmally low awareness in the slum community about the health care problems of children.

Learning Disabilities is a malady prevalent in 12% of all our children. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness in parents and teachers about this invisible handicap lands the poor children in untold life long suffering.

A beautiful 7500 sq. feet building in 25 cents of land in the very heart of Cochin has been acquired for the project, which is a precious investment of infrastructure.

Many of our children with difficulties in school performance may-be actually suffering from Learning Disabilities.

In Kerala , there are no centres or universities yet, offering training for special Educators (Remedial teachers) for SLD. The centre therefore proposes to offer:

In Kerala , there are no centres or universities yet, offering training for special Educators (Remedial teachers) for SLD. The centre therefore proposes to offer :

The number of children with Learning Disabilities who require educational support services are very large. In order to equip the educational sector to provide these services adequately trained teacher manpower is required. A trained school teacher could be the best therapist for these children. With the aim of training teachers, Child Care Centre started the Teacher Training course in August 1996. Three batches of teachers have completed their training. The training for the fourth batch will be completed shortly.

The multi-disciplinary Team working at the Centre has a project Co-ordinator (Special Educator) who works closely with a Senior Clinical Psychologist, General Psychologist, Senior Psychiatric, Social Worker, Trained Special Educators as well as Consultants of Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Neurology, ENT and Ophthalmology.

CCCC is a joint effort of all the participating agencies. The aims and objectives of the Child Care Centre are consistent with those of the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare as well as those of the IAP Cochin Charitable society.

Chaired by the District collector, and the District Devlopment commissioner as Secretary. Five members each from the Indian Academy of Paediatrics and the Ernakulam District child Welfare Council, one member nominee from major funding agencies, participating schools and associating professional orgnisations to decide on objectives, general policies.

Chaired by the District Collector, Medical Director, President of the Academy of Paediatircs, Cochin, Vice Chairman (Paediatrician), Secretary (Development Commissioner) Treasurer (Senior Paediatrician), 4 professional nominated by the Board will be the other members responsible for the setting up of the Centre raising funds, day-to-day administration.

The entire management is subject to the rules of the Literary and Scientific Charitable Societies Registration Act of Kerala (Act XII, 1995).

Any Centre of excellence will need excellence in the Team Members working at the Centre. The major input for a Centre like this is honorarium for the Resource Personnel, as well as one time investiments on audiovisual aids, computers, software from abroad furniture library and course material for teachers.