{
  "abstract": "Objectives To describe the design and learnings from implementation of a model for early childhood development (ECD) promotion, early identification, and intervention of developmental delays and disabilities in children under six years of age, embedded within and strengthening existing government systems.Methods Government departments partnered with nonprofits experienced in training frontline workers (FLWs) in ECD and community-based disability interventions to deliver the Inclusive ECD Program, a three-year pilot in rural India. Partners co-designed and implemented training, provided post-training support, and applied a systems lens to assess strengths and challenges within government structures. A cascade model was developed: FLWs were trained as peer trainers to deliver the Guide for Monitoring Child Development (GMCD), while government health officers were trained as trainers on Ubuntu packages—which are evidence-based, family-centred interventions supporting caregivers of children with developmental disabilities.Results Fifty-four FLWs were trained as GMCD trainers and 18 health officers as Ubuntu trainers. These trainers subsequently trained 827 FLWs in GMCD, who have begun implementing ECD promotion, early identification, and intervention in the field. For the Ubuntu component, training of government health officers as trainers has been completed, with training of frontline functionaries planned. Government ownership and structured post-training support sustained FLW motivation, addressed systemic and individual challenges, fostered interdepartmental coordination, and streamlined referral pathways.Conclusions Strong government ownership and active partnerships are essential for developing replicable, systems-based models for disability-inclusive ECD services. The Inclusive ECD Program demonstrates potential for scalability and adaptability, offering a roadmap to strengthen early intervention across India.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ummeed Child Development Center, Mumbai, India"
      ],
      "name": "Roopa Srinivasan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ummeed Child Development Center, Mumbai, India"
      ],
      "name": "Priti Inje"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India"
      ],
      "name": "Amruta Bandal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ummeed Child Development Center, Mumbai, India"
      ],
      "name": "Anushree Sane"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, Pune, India"
      ],
      "name": "Mudita Joshi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ummeed Child Development Center, Mumbai, India"
      ],
      "name": "Ashwini Marathe"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India"
      ],
      "name": "Abhishek Raut"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mahatma Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences, Wardha, India"
      ],
      "name": "Subodh Gupta"
    }
  ],
  "title": "174 Scaling disability-inclusive early childhood development (ECD) services through government systems: a pilot model from rural India",
  "uid": "c2ed308e-e9ef-5b52-9442-99c37d106ef4"
}