NLIS 6
April 12, 2006
(Health and Community Services)

Government strengthens resources for persons with disabilities

In keeping with its commitment to supporting persons with disabilities, the Williams� government is investing over $4 million in Budget 2006 to enhance services and support for individuals and families living with disabilities said Health and Community Services Minister Tom Osborne. The investment includes addressing the wait list for home support for new clients; increasing social work positions to assist persons with disabilities; and, changing the Special Child Welfare Allowance (SCWA) program to eliminate RESP/RRSPs from the financial assessment process. 

�Government is committed to providing support services that assist persons with disabilities and provide opportunities for them to participate in their community,� said Minister Osborne. �Through strategic investments we have strengthened resources for persons with disabilities to ensure that they have the best possible quality of life.� 

Persons with disabilities require various supports to different degrees. Home support services enable individuals requiring assistance with the activities of daily living to remain in their own home by providing personal and behavioral supports, household management and respite. The need for home support in the province has grown by 13 per cent over a three-year time period. Budget 2006 includes $1.6 million to address the wait list for persons with disabilities who do not currently receive home support. This is part of a $2.7 million investment to eliminate the home support wait list for all new clients.  This investment will reduce the burden of caregiving in the family environment and allow individuals with disabilities to live independently for as long as possible.  

In response to an increased demand for services, and growing workloads for social workers providing services to individuals with disabilities, Government announced further funding to employ five community support social work positions in addition to the 55 new positions announced in Budget 2006.  The additional staff will be employed with the Regional Integrated Health Authorities to provide more timely access to services and supports for individuals with disabilities across the province. 

Government recognizes that some families are reduced to poverty levels before they can access supports for their children and, in response is providing $2.25 million in Budget 2006 to increase funding for the Special Child Welfare Allowance (SCWA) program.

The SCWA program assists families in offsetting some of the costs of the additional items and services which are necessary due to a child�s disability such as medical supplies, educational materials and home support services. This significant investment allows for the removal of RRSPs and RESPs from the financial assessment process, making the program more accessible to those who need it. This policy change is effective April 1, 2006 and the department will be working with the Regional Integrated Health Authorities to support implementation.

�Government has demonstrated a consistent commitment to ensure that persons with developmental disabilities are represented in the workforce and in all aspects of society and we will continue to do so through community partnerships and in conjunction with the Regional Integrated Health Authorities,� added Minister Osborne.

Furthermore, through the Opening Doors program, government is working to increase the representation of persons with disabilities employed in the public service. As a result, there are currently 75 full-time permanent positions for persons with disabilities throughout the provincial public service in various locations of the province.

Media contact:  Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 04 12                                                                              2:55 p.m.