Budget Bulletin: Community Supports for Adults

The Community Supports for Adults Program will receive another boost this year with the addition of $10.3 million to the program budget. This increase brings a total addition of close to $50 million since 2000 to the Community Supports for Adults Program. The program serves approximately 4,470 Nova Scotians with intellectual disabilities or long-term mental illness who need support to live in the community.

Of this year's additional funding, $1 million is being designated to augment the anticipated renewed Community Supports for Adults Program. In December 2002, the Department of Community Services launched a wide-ranging review of the current program, recognizing the need for changes to meet the evolving needs of the people served, as well as a growing demand for services.

In March 2004, the department released a discussion paper that presents the ideas and research gathered during the review period.

To get feedback on the current system, and ideas for a renewed Community Supports for Adults (CSA) Program, representatives of the CSA Renewal Project met with more than 50 community organizations, advocacy groups and service providers across all regions of the province. Consumer focus groups were also held to make sure that Nova Scotians with disabilities had meaningful opportunities to share their thoughts on a renewed CSA program.

In addition to the ideas and information gathered through the extensive consultation process, the discussion paper also includes a review of best practices and research in a number of key areas, such as funding, assessment tools, policy, licensing and consumer supports.

Public feedback on the discussion paper will be analyzed to determine the scope and type of services Nova Scotians want to see in a renewed CSA program.

NOTE: For further 2004-05 budget information, see the Department of Finance website at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .