State Level Wellness Retreat and Training Programme for Mission Vatsalya Field Functionaries
A State Level Wellness Retreat and Training for Mission Vatsalya Field Functionaries is being organized by the State Child Protection Society under the Mission Vatsalya from 9th–14th March 2026 at Treez Hotel. This is a residential training programme sponsored by MVS, WCSC&DWD done in collaboration with Arpan, Mumbai based NGO who is globally recognised, award winning non-profit organisation dedicated in eliminating Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in India. As a thought leader in CSA Prevention and Intervention, Arpan drives policy and systemic change at the local, state and national levels, through advocacy and research.
With the rising cases of CSA and other forms of abuses in the state towards the children, the department has taken up this training for field functionaries to enhance the efficiency of the staffs and also develop resilience amongst the first hand responders. The training also focused on addressing the secondary trauma experienced by the MVS functionaries while dealing with the cases of child abuse on everyday basis.
The training is being conducted in three batches with 40 to 45 participants in each batch totaling about 140 participants from all over the state. The first batch training was from 9th-10th March 2026. The second batch training was held on 11th–12th March 2026 and the third in 13th-14th March with participants comprising DCPOs,Protection Officers, Counsellors, Social Workers Chairpersons and Members of CWC and representatives from Child Care Institutions (CCI) from all six districts working under the Mission Vatsalya framework.
The programme began with a welcome address by Ms. Jyoti Chettri, Programme Officer (MVS) followed by an address by Ms. Manisha Cintury, Joint Secretary (MVS) wherein she highlighted the importance of this initiative stating that the demand of quality service in strengthening the child protection mechanism in the state for which strongly capacitated functionaries with sound mental health is required . While dealing such cases on everyday basis, a secondary trauma is being experienced and timely intervention to address such aspect is felt necessary. The participants were encouraged to actively participate in the program and take full advantage of the resources made available during the session.
The sessions are being facilitated by resource persons Ms. Hemakshi Chheda,Mr. Vedant Ranadive, Ms Neha Maru and Ms Mansi Naik from NGO- Arpan. The training covered the key topics such as understanding Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), stages of grooming, provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, trauma and neurobiology, first level response, counselling skills, handling disclosures, and self-care to manage work-related stress and burnout.
Participants engaged in case discussions, group activities, counselling demonstrations, and pre-test and post-test assessments. The programme aimed to strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of field functionaries in responding effectively to child protection cases and prevention and protection of the child and their environment in alignment with the vision our Honourable Chief Minister towards making Sunaulo, Samriddha ani Samarth Sikkim by making the children able and protected.
Each batch concluded with a vote of thanks from the group of participants thanking the department for the recognition of the efforts & hard work of the field functionaries and organising one of the first residential wellness retreat and training program of the department.
In the last session, the Deputy Director Sh Pempa Tsh Bhutia gave a brief recapitulation on the sessions conducted duly highlighting the importance of the initiative undertaken by the department and encouraging the participants to work harder.
The programme ended with a positive feedback from all the participants for having organised initiated such programme for the functionaries.