Read this excerpt about India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). From the list given select all aspects of this program that would have contributed to its successful implementation and scaling-up. Select all that apply. a) Nationwide program (wide reach) b) Funded by the government (political prioritisation) c) Multisectoral package of services (medical checks preschool education, etc.) d) Targets all age groups from 0-18 years e) Use of existing network of Anganwadi centres f) All involved departments are autonomous g) Many different government departments and programs involved, but centrally led by one department (clear leadership and coordination) h) Providing services for adolescent boys i) Restructured to target children younger than 3 years of age

Question

Read this excerpt about India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). From the list given select all aspects of this program that would have contributed to its successful implementation and scaling-up. Select all that apply. a) Nationwide program (wide reach) b) Funded by the government (political prioritisation) c) Multisectoral package of services (medical checks preschool education, etc.) d) Targets all age groups from 0-18 years e) Use of existing network of Anganwadi centres f) All involved departments are autonomous g) Many different government departments and programs involved, but centrally led by one department (clear leadership and coordination) h) Providing services for adolescent boys i) Restructured to target children younger than 3 years of age

Answer 1

The aspects of the ICDS program that would have contributed to its successful implementation and scaling-up are:* **a) Nationwide program (wide reach):** A national scope ensures broader impact and equitable distribution of resources.* **b) Funded by the government (political prioritisation):** Government funding demonstrates commitment and provides the necessary financial resources for sustained operation.* **c) Multisectoral package of services (medical checks, preschool education, etc.):** Addressing multiple needs simultaneously increases the program's effectiveness and appeal to beneficiaries.* **e) Use of existing network of Anganwadi centres:** Leveraging existing infrastructure reduces implementation costs and speeds up the rollout.* **g) Many different government departments and programs involved, but centrally led by one department (clear leadership and coordination):** Centralized leadership ensures cohesive implementation and avoids duplication of efforts.Options d, f, h, and i are **not** factors that would contribute to successful implementation and scaling up. Here's why:* **d) Targets all age groups from 0-18 years:** While comprehensive, targeting such a broad age range can strain resources and dilute focus. The ICDS primarily focuses on children under six and pregnant/lactating mothers.* **f) All involved departments are autonomous:** Autonomy without coordination can lead to fragmentation and inefficiency.* **h) Providing services for adolescent boys:** While important, adolescent boys are not the primary target group of the ICDS.* **i) Restructured to target children younger than 3 years of age:** Focusing solely on children younger than 3, while beneficial, wouldn't necessarily contribute to *scaling up* the existing program, which already includes this age group. It might even represent a scaling *down* of services for older children.

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