Samarth-Respite Care Scheme

Description
Samarth Respite Care scheme was launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Govt. of India.The objective of the scheme is to provide respite home for orphans or abandoned PwDs, families in crisis and also for Persons with Disabilities PwD from BPL & LIG families including destitutes with at least one of the four disabilities covered under the National Trust Act. It also aims at creating opportunities for family members to get respite time in order to fulfil other responsibilities.

Exclusions
• PwD should not be enrolled under Disha, Vikaas or Gharaunda Scheme simultaneously.

Benefits
• Group Home: Registered Orgaisations(RO) should provide group home facilities for all age groups with adequate and quality care service with acceptable living standards including provision of basic medical care from professional doctors.
• Vocational Activities: Samarth Centre should provide age specific vocational activities, pre-vocational activities and assistance for training or schooling as applicable on case to case basis.
• Staffing: There should be a provision of at least two Special Educators (+Vocational Trainers), one Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist, three Caregivers, two Ayas and a Cook in the Samarth centre.
• Infrastructure facilities: Samarth Centre should provide therapeutic aids and appliances, hygienic lodging and other facilities for the PwDs.
• Assessment and Evaluation: PwD should be assessed and evaluated by experts in the related field on a regular basis to understand their individual needs and also to monitor the progress of the PwD. The Samarth centre should maintain a record in the growth and development charts of the PwD on a regular basis (with the help of experts).
• Linkage with Gharaunda Scheme: The Samarth Centre should facilitate shifting the PwD who is above 18 years of age and has spent more than 5 years in the Samarth Centre to Gharaunda centre.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - Applicant should have one of the disabilities under the [National Trust Act, 1999](https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3300891a62162b960cf02ce3827bb363c/uploads/2024/09/20240918793880368.pdf), which are Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.
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Required Documents
• Enrolment form.
• Birth certificate or Date of Birth proof of the PwD.
• Disability certificate.
• BPL certificate or Income certificate of Parents or Guardian issued by competent authority as authorized by the concerned State/ Union Territory (for LIG or BPL family).
• ID proof of parent or guardian.
• Declaration proof of the guardianship if PwD <18 years of age and parents are not the guardians. (OR),
• LG certificate, if PwD >18 years of age and parents are not the guardians.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which department has launched Samarth scheme?
A: This scheme has been launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Q: What are the main benefits of this scheme?
A: Respite home for orphans or abandoned, families in crisis and also for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from BPL & LIG families including destitute,

Q: From where the PwD can get the facilities?
A: PwD can avail the benefits from Samarth Centre or Registered Organisation.

Q: What is the main objective of this scheme?
A: The main purpose of this scheme is to provide Group home facilities for all age groups with adequate and quality care service with acceptable living standards including provision of basic medical care from professional doctors.

Q: What would be the batch size in a Samarth Centre ?
A: Batch size of a Samarth centre is 30 PwDs and the maximum number of PwDs allowed is 30%
extra of batch size i.e. 39 for Samarth Centres.

Q: Who will be covered under this scheme?
A: Orphans or abandoned PwDs will be covered under this scheme.

Q: What is the enrolment process of the of PwD at the Samarth Centre?
A: Parent/legal guardian of the PwD have to come together at the Samarth Centre.Then the centre will conduct a PwD Assessment Test with the help of a Therapist or Counsellor.

Q: How this scheme is also beneficial to the family of the PwD?
A: This scheme also helps in supporting family members of the PwDs to get some time during the day to fulfill other responsibilities.

Q: What are the documents required for the enrolment?
A: 1. Enrolment form.
2. Birth certificate or Date of Birth proof of the PwD.
3. Disability certificate.
4. BPL certificate or Income certificate of Parents or Guardian issued by competent authority as authorized by the concerned State/ Union Territory (for LIG or BPL family).
5. ID proof of parent or guardian.
6. Declaration proof of the guardianship if PwD <18 years of age and parents are not the guardians. (OR),
7. LG certificate, if PwD >18 years of age and parents are not the guardians.

Q: Which website is used for RO registration?
A: Follow the below URL
Link: https://thenationaltrust.gov.in/auth/login.php