The engagement focuses on reducing malnutrition in Karnataka by building community ownership within Gram Panchayats ; strengthening PRI-Anganwadi convergence ; reducing exclusion ; providing learning kits for early childhood education.

‍

‍Engagement Highlights

‍

Revamping Surakshini and Balangala schemes of the government

The Fellow has made recommendations to overhaul overall design, structure, and logic, UI - feedback and concept notes, and worked with NIC closely to implement the changes

‍

Supplementary Nutrition

The Fellow had analyzed formats/ recipes used across districts in the state for Pushti (Nutri-mix) and THR/ HCM compositions. Based on the analysis, deliberations were facilitated with the department and co-formulated a nutrition-experts team to redesign and standardize the recipes across the state. Significant progress has been made, and the final set of recipes, with a special focus of SAM children, is being worked towards and will be implemented soon. The team is also simultaneously working on a pilot for the same. The  sample production for new THR formulas under way.

‍

Quality monitoring

The Anganwadi which is the fulcrum of all ICDS services are supplied with raw and processed food ingredients for the most part while they source perishable commodities like vegetables locally. The Fellow is driving the optimization of the process to improve the effectiveness and efficiency, increase the number of testing labs and enhance the visibility and transparency of the process and results.To strengthen the whole process, randomization at different levels has been built into the process. The Fellow is also leading the initiative on quality monitoring through an extensive concept note being worked towards including the proposed quality monitoring process and the software requirements. The Fellow is currently in the process of setting up a technology platform.

‍

Early Childhood Development

A 3-day workshop was conducted to discuss and bring out a new curriculum for Early Childhood Care and development for the state. This exercise (run in close consultation with the Education department) was focused on implementation of the NEP - focusing on the foundational stage of 3-8 years, with special attention to early stimulation at 0-3 years.

‍

Evidence and Data collection

• State level small area demographics nutrition survey has been included as part of budget allocation
• Worked closely with the UNICEF team on the nutritional review of the 2 Aspirational districts in Karnataka
• Concept for Nutrition Survey has been approved and the partner selection in progress with a Technical committee being established for the same.

‍

Other Initiatives

• The Fellow helped create an IT Vision for the department and coordinated with stakeholders to  strengthen the adoption of existing IT systems and processes and initiated building of an ecosystem of partners for realising the vision. An in-house e-Gov cell is also being envisioned
• Redesigning the Anganwadi accreditation system (to increase community ownership, and enhance the development of AWs)

‍