SOCIAL WELFARE
recommended restructuring service delivery so that family needs could be addressed in a more holistic and cost-effective manner. All 27 recommendations for service improvement and the 'child-centred, family-focused and community-based' approach were adopted. This sets a clear direction for further development of family and child welfare services. To take forward the recommendations, the department will pilot a new service delivery model in the form of Integrated Family Service Centres. Five Single Parent Centres came into operation in early 2001. Services to assist victims of domestic violence and child abuse were strengthened with the provision of additional professional staff. Fitting-out works for the first multi-purpose Family Crisis Support Centre were under way. There was also an addition of 969 aided day nursery places for children.
In order to ensure maximum and cost-effective use of resources and expertise in tackling the problem of violence, the Working Group on Battered Spouse and the Working Group on Sexual Violence were amalgamated to form the Working Group on Combating Violence. Meanwhile, an inter-bureau/departmental working group completed a comprehensive review to harmonise pre-primary services provided by child care centres and kindergartens, while another working group completed a review of the Adoption Ordinance with a view to improving adoption services.
To meet the preference of elders to age at home and to support their families in taking care of them, a new initiative providing enhanced home and community care services was introduced in April. The first batch of enhanced home and community care services provided a total capacity for serving 1 453 frail elders. Each elder would receive services at home or a package of home and centre-based services tailor-made to meet individual care needs. There was also significant enhancement in the provision of formal care services for the elders, with an addition of 1 298 care-and- attention home places, one social centre, two multi-services centres, two day care centres and two support teams for elders.
The 2001 Budget earmarked additional funds of $242 million in recurrent expenditure and $122.5 million in non-recurrent expenditure for a package of new initiatives to provide better care and support to people with disabilities. In 2001, there were an additional 340 places in sheltered workshops, 580 places in supported employment, 147 places in day activity centres, 50 places in training and activity centres for ex-mentally ill persons, 40 places in halfway houses, 400 long stay care. home places, 360 places in hostels for the mentally handicapped, and 60 places in supported hostels. There were also an additional 330 integrated programme places and 70 early education and training centre places for pre-school disabled children. With an additional allocation of $30 million a year, support services and facilities have been strengthened to ensure that people with disabilities and their families/carers acquire fuller integration, active participation and mutual help in the community.
A Marketing Consultancy Office (Social Service) for people with disabilities was established on a permanent basis in April to enhance the productivity of sheltered workshops and promote employment. The 'On the Job Training for People with Disabilities' programme was implemented to encourage employers to offer job opportunities to the disabled. A $50 million grant was set up as seed money to support the creation of small enterprises by NGOs to offer employment opportunities to people with disabilities. Another $50 million grant was provided to set up the Hong Kong Paralympians Fund to support disabled athletes.
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