Starting April 1, 2011, British Columbians with disabilities and high-intensity care needs will have more choice and flexibility in care options, thanks to an increase in hourly support rates for the Choice in Supports for Independent Living (CSIL) home support program.

On April 1, 2011, the hourly rate for CSIL employers will increase $2.00 per hour to $27.63. In April 2012, the hourly rate will increase to $28.63, reaching a maximum of $29.50 per hour in April 2013. As an example, for a person who receives home support through CSIL and is assessed at 180 hours per month of home support, the $2.00 per hour increase in the first year would mean $360 per month in additional funding, or $4,320 per year. In the third year, that same individual would receive just over $690 per month in additional funding, or about $8,350 per year.

Total funding allocated to CSIL by the Province will increase 37 per cent from an estimated $50 million in 2010-11 to about $69 million in 2013-14.

CSIL is a self-managed model of care where individuals are funded directly to hire workers to provide home support services. Individuals assume full responsibility for covering wages, mandatory employer payments such as Canada Pension Plan and WorkSafeBC, and allowable expenses such as costs for advertising and recruiting, and hiring a bookkeeper for financial reporting purposes.

One of the main benefits of the program is that it allows individuals to customize and manage delivery of their own home support services, allowing them to maintain independence and to continue to live in the community, close to family and friends.

In addition to the rate increase, the Province has worked with a wide group of stakeholders to improve the consistency of services across regions and to develop new eligibility criteria to ensure CSIL continues to focus on those with disabilities and high-intensity care needs. Current CSIL clients will not be affected by new eligibility requirements. All clients will continue to have access to a range of home and community-based health services to meet their needs, and to support them in maintaining their independence.

Quotes:

Michael de Jong, Minister of Health -

"Choice in Supports for Independent Living is already the most generous self-directed home support program in the country. This increase in rates will enable CSIL employers to be competitive in attracting and retaining qualified staff. As a result, British Columbians with high-care needs will be able to continue to get the care that best suits their unique needs and live independently for as long as possible."

Tim Louis, Association of CSIL Employers (ACE) interim chair -

"Everyone should have the chance to live independently if they want to. This rate increase is the direct result of the positive working relationship between ACE and the health ministry."

Ken Kramer, co-chair of the CSIL Funding Working Group and CSIL employer -

"The increase in funding for the CSIL is going to have a huge impact on individuals who are employers under this program. CSIL helps empower British Columbians who require home support and having increased supports to manage and co-ordinate our own care will allow many of us to stay independent longer."

Roger B. Jones, member of the CSIL Funding Working Group and CSIL employer -

"Because of the CSIL rate increase, it will now be possible to pay my personal attendants a competitive wage. Being able to employ and retain good staff helps many CSIL employers to fully participate in the community."

Quick Facts:

* Currently, people who receive home support through CSIL make up approximately two per cent of all home support clients, but account for 20 per cent of total home-care support service hours.

* B.C. has more than 800 people who receive home support through CSIL.

* In December 2009, the Ministry of Health Services established a CSIL funding working group, comprised of representatives from the ministry and the Association of CSIL Employers, to identify viable funding rate options.

* The Association of CSIL Employers is a group composed of people with disabilities who are currently enrolled in the CSIL program. The association shares information, resources and offers peer support for CSIL employers.

* British Columbia has a comprehensive, well-funded home care and home support program. This year, health authorities estimate they will spend $711 million for home care and home-support services - a 76-per cent increase in funding since 2001.

Learn More:

For more information on CSIL please visit: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/hcc/csil.html

Contacts:

Ryan Jabs

Media Relations Manager

Ministry of Health

250 952-1887 (media line)

Ken Kramer

Association of CSIL Employers

604 694-0999

1 877 394-0999 (toll free)

ace@csilbc.org

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect