Progress Update on Disability Support Transformation
A new disability support workforce strategy, announced today, January 15, is part of the transformational work taking place under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy. (Communications Nova Scotia / File)
The Province continues to make significant progress in its work to transform the disability support system under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy, including a workforce strategy released today, January 15.
“Transformative change like this requires care, co-ordination and collaboration,” said Scott Armstrong, Minster of Opportunities and Social Development. “It takes time to lay a strong foundation – one that honours the voices and choices of Nova Scotians with disabilities, and ensures the services and supports are in place to help them live a good life in their community for years to come.”
The new workforce strategy outlines key actions to modernize and strengthen the disability support workforce in four focus areas: awareness and recruitment, learning and development, health and safety, and growth and stability.
These include increased access to disability-specific post-secondary programs, more professional development and workplace training opportunities, and new pathways to employment for internationally trained professionals and underrepresented groups.
The government worked with people with disabilities, families and caregivers, service providers, educational institutions, advocates and others to develop the plan.
Since November 2024, the government has:
- ended all new admissions to adult residential centres, regional rehabilitation centres and residential facilities in Nova Scotia effective January 1, 2025
- began to roll out a new collaborative case management system, which includes mechanisms to manage individualized funding
- finalized facility closure agreements with operators, including specific timelines and expectations
- created a facility closure guide for service providers with input from service providers and regional Disability Support Program staff
- held seven information sessions – six in person and one virtual – with families and support networks of people currently living in institutional settings
- launched the Service Evolution Fund to support service providers as they adapt their services to be delivered in the community; the first round of successful applicants will be announced soon.
The Province will host the second Rebuilding HOPE conference on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nova Scotians can attend for free at one of four in-person locations – Halifax, Sydney, Middleton and Pictou – or online. The event gives participants an opportunity to learn more about the remedy and engage in conversations that will shape the future of Nova Scotia’s disability community. Registration opens later this month; details will be available at https://www.dsp-transformation.ca/timeline
Quick Facts:
- development of a workforce strategy is a requirement under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Remedy
- the first Rebuilding HOPE conference was held on November 4, 2023; more than 1,200 Nova Scotians participated
- on January 1, the Disability Supplement and the Disability Support Program’s standard household rate increased by 3.1 per cent, in line with the consumer price index
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotia Disability Support Workforce Strategy: https://dsp-transformation.ca/timeline
Transformation progress and updates: https://www.dsp-transformation.ca/
News release – New Fund for Disability Support Service Providers: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/10/24/new-fund-disability-support-service-providers
News release – Human Rights Remedy Work Enters Second Year: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/07/02/human-rights-remedy-work-enters-second-year
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission Remedy in Disability Rights Coalition v Province of Nova Scotia: https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/remedy