News release

Province Expanding Services for Persons with Disabilities

Community Services

Nova Scotians with disabilities and their families will soon have more help thanks to an increase in funding for several programs.

Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse announced a $1.5-million investment today, April 11, at Bonny Lea Farm, a vocational day program in Chester for people with disabilities.

"Families want their loved ones with disabilities to stay at home and in their communities. This news makes that possible for more people," said Ms. Peterson-Rafuse. "Today's investment shows government's commitment to improving and building on our existing services for persons with disabilities and their families."

About $825,000 of the new money will expand the Independent Living Support and the Alternative Family Support programs with about 50 new placements. The Independent Living Support program helps someone learn to live on their own by providing help for up to 21 hours a week. Alternative Family Support matches individuals with caring families who share their homes and provides a variety of supports to individuals with disabilities. Both of these programs help people stay and participate in their communities.

An additional $500,000 will be invested to increase the number of spots available at day programs for individuals with disabilities. These programs provide a variety of activities, including supportive employment, skills training and vocational programming across the province.

"I know access to day programs has been a long-standing issue," said Ms. Peterson-Rafuse. "This funding will help more people get involved in these wonderful programs that can make such a difference in the lives of persons with disabilities and their families."

The province will also invest $200,000 to launch a new outreach team to help families and service providers manage supports for individuals with disabilities. Instead of leaving it up to families to find experts, a team of specialists made up of people like social workers, psychologists, and occupational therapists in their community will be put together to help. This year, the first team will work in the western region of the province.

"I'm pleased that the minister and government are taking steps forward to improve the programs and services that benefit Nova Scotians with disabilities," said Betty Mattson, CEO, Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre. "Service providers are constantly improving services with sometimes limited resources. For so long, we've waited for additional government support to help us with these improvements."

The investments are through the Services for Persons with Disabilities Program, which serves children, youth and adults with intellectual disabilities, long-term mental illness and physical disabilities in a range of community-based, residential and vocational day programs. These are voluntary programs designed to support about 5,100 people at various stages of development and independence.

Government has increased investments in programs for persons with disabilities by $19 million since 2009, bringing the annual budget to nearly $255 million.