Budget Bulletin: Community Supports for Adults

The province has demonstrated its commitment to improving supports for Nova Scotians with intellectual disabilities and long-term mental illness by increasing the Community Supports for Adults budget by $12.8 million for 2003-04. This new funding will help stabilize the system while a review process is underway.

Community Supports for Adults provides a wide range of services, including homes for special care, small option homes, supervised apartments, adult residential centres, regional rehabilitation centres, and adult service centres. In November 2002, the province launched a comprehensive review of this program, recognizing the need to improve the way services are provided for people with intellectual disabilities and long-term mental illnesses. The goal of the review is to establish a standard level of quality, accessible, and flexible services across the province.

The province has already taken steps to improve services by introducing training standards for staff who provide care for clients. Several larger institutions have also been closed in favour of smaller community-based homes, meaning that clients can be closer to family and friends.

Through the review project, Community Services is working with clients, service providers, and other departments to create a program that meets the unique needs of our clients. The review is looking at all aspects of the current program, including access to services, assessment, licensing, information technology, funding, and legislation.

A community committee with advocacy, service provider, and client representation has been established to give input into the review. Staff have also met with interested organizations and have made several presentations about the project. Focus groups with clients, service providers, and advocacy groups are also planned.

All Nova Scotians are being asked to give their thoughts about these services and supports through the departmental Web site, www.gov.ns.ca/coms and written submissions. Community feedback and information gathered through the review will result in a discussion paper that will be distributed widely for input later in 2003.

NOTE: For further 2003-04 budget information, visit the Department of Finance Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .