The Government rolled out a new funding model to better support people with intellectual disabilities.
Social Services Minister June Draude made the $6.3 million announcement at the Cosmopolitan Learning Centre on Wednesday.
The money will be given to community based organizations to provide support workers and programs to better serve people with intellectual disabilities who live in group homes and residential care spaces.
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“In the 1970s they built group homes that were paid for on a cost-per-space basis,” Minister Draude said. “Now we are delivering programs based on the assessed needs of individuals because we know all individuals with intellectual challenges have different needs.”
Executive Director of Cosmopolitan Learning Centre, Connie Lang-Schuette said this funding will especially help the high level intellectually challenged people they serve.
“We do a lot of work in the community because they can be very productive. So for instance we do a bottle recycling program at various restaurants or doing maintenance,” Lang-Schuette said. “They may be able to do the task, but the right supports have to be there so they can continue on with the task and remain on task.”
She said keeping the individuals in the community is the best way to improve quality of life.
The new funding model takes effect April 1st.
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