The recommendations in the deputy ministers' 2012 report have been completed, paving the way for better support planning and service delivery for people with developmental disabilities through different life phases.

Work is now underway to roll out an integrated service delivery model that will improve services for people with developmental disabilities in B.C.

Early implementation sites

The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is seeking Expressions of Interest from organizations and agencies to volunteer as early implementation sites to test the integrated service delivery model prior to full implementation.

Early implementation sites will introduce the role of a navigator to support people through periods of transition, such as youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years. The early implementation sites will also allow for the testing of a common assessment platform to centralize information and provide better service and support planning.

Establishing a common source for information is an important part of an integrated service delivery model, to ensure consistency, clarity of needs assessment and planning for individuals and their families. The early implementation sites will test the technology and tools required to support an information-sharing platform among service partners.

Expressions of Interest must be received by Friday, July 26, 2013, at 4 p.m. Early implementation sites will be operational in the fall and will run for approximately 18 months, to test, evaluate and refine the model prior to full implementation.

Integrating services for older adults

To better address some of the issues that adults with developmental disabilities face as they age, Community Living BC (CLBC) is releasing a Strategy on Aging focused on integrating service delivery for older adults with developmental disabilities.

About 23 per cent of adults served by CLBC, living in communities around the province, are 50 years of age or older. The number in this age group is expected to increase significantly over the next five years.

The Strategy on Aging complements the integrated service delivery model and provides focused actions to better support older adults, as well as their families and caregivers. The strategy has been developed in partnership with CLBC's Advisory Committee on Aging, community councils, and based on aging forums with individuals, family members, service providers, caregivers, and community living professionals and staff.

Supporting end-of-life care

As part of its ongoing quality assurance, CLBC also is releasing an updated policy aimed to improve end-of-life care for adults with developmental disabilities aging in all kinds of living arrangements and to support their families. The updated policy provides guidance about care for palliative individuals and bereavement support for family members and support networks. The policy outlines responsibilities for both CLBC staff and contracted service providers related to the reporting, documenting and review requirements associated with the death of an individual.

Feedback from a broad range of stakeholders is reflected in the updated policy, including from the Ministry of Health, provincial clinical and medical consultants, the BC Coroners Service and the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia.

Quotes:

Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation Don McRae -

"I'm pleased to say that we are making significant strides forward in our commitment to improving services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. The integrated service delivery model will better support people with developmental disabilities - making sure all individuals are treated with respect, dignity and fairness."

CLBC interim chief executive officer Doug Woollard -

"In addition to recognizing the ministry's progress on the early implementation sites, I would like to thank community council volunteers, service providers, self-advocates and our staff throughout the province who have contributed to the aging strategy and updated end-of-life policy that we are releasing today. Both reflect CLBC's ongoing commitment to continuous quality improvements."

Learn More:

Request for Expressions of Interest for the integrated service delivery model - early implementation sites is available at: www.sd.gov.bc.ca/pwd/docs/isst-eis-eoi.pdf

CLBC's Strategy on Aging and updated end-of-life policy: www.communitylivingbc.ca

A report on the Common Assessment Platform is available at: www.sd.gov.bc.ca/pwd/isst.html

For a chart of actions taken to complete each recommendation in the deputy ministers' report, Improving Services to People with Developmental Disabilities, visit: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/Recommendations_Chart_July_2013.pdf

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 508-5030