Social Welfare 193
disabilities, with a view to strengthening their caring capacities and relieving their
stress.
Modernisation Package for Youth Service Units and Community Centres
The SWD secured $325 million from the Lotteries Fund in July for modernising 74 youth service units and community centres to upgrade their environment and facilities. The initiative will benefit users of the service and the community at large, at the same time creating jobs for construction, repair and maintenance workers.
Strengthening Cleansing Service at Welfare Service units to Fight Against Human Swine Influenza
To fight against human swine influenza, the SWD secured $95 million to provide additional resources for some 1 800 welfare service units to increase further their capability in prevention of infections among service users and staff in 2009-10. The funding was allocated to the welfare service units in September to enable them to hire cleansing services or employ part-time or temporary help to strengthen general cleansing service and enhance environmental hygiene as needed.
District Caring and Support Trial Scheme
The SWD launched a District Caring and Support Trial Scheme in 2009-10 to support district-based initiatives aimed at enhancing support for disadvantaged groups in individual districts, as well as strengthening the resilience and capacities of individual districts in the face of the financial tsunami. By year-end, some 50 projects were being implemented throughout the 18 districts.
Independent Review on the Lump Sum Grant Subvention System
Having examined the report submitted by the Lump Sum Grant (LSG) Independent Review Committee in December 2008, the Government in February accepted in principle all its 36 recommendations on enhancing the LSG Subvention System. The Government also undertook to take the recommendations forward in concert with the welfare sector and seek funding approval as necessary. Most of the recommendations have been implemented or introduced by the end of 2009.
Social Welfare Programmes
Family and Child Welfare
A variety of family and child welfare services is provided by the SWD and NGOs.
Family Services
The SWD adopts a three-pronged approach to providing services to families in need.
At the primary level, attempts are made through early detection, public education, publicity and empowerment to prevent family problems from occurring. The SWD continued its territory-wide publicity campaign 'Strengthening Families and Combating Violence' and its operation of a departmental hotline to provide service information, counselling and other forms of assistance.