Social Welfare | 213
system. The SWD also helps RCHES to improve their capability, ensuring that elderly residents will receive proper care. In a continuing effort to improve drug management in residential homes, the Government launched a three-year pilot scheme in June 2010 to provide RCHEs with visiting pharmacist services. The objectives are to further strengthen the knowledge and capability of RCHEs and their staff in drug management, thereby enhancing their quality of care for elders. It is estimated that about 70 to 80 RCHES will benefit from the scheme. In addition, the SWD jointly organised a series of talks with the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority in 2011 to enhance the drug management skills and knowledge of staff in the homes, in addition to forming a Working Group on Drug Safety in RCHES involving all relevant stakeholders.
Rehabilitation Services
With the aim of integrating persons with disabilities into society and helping them develop their capabilities fully, government departments and NGOs provide a variety of rehabilitation services to meet their different needs. These services are co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation on the advice of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.
Services for Children with Disabilities
At year-end, there were 1 860 integrated programme places in kindergarten- cum-child care centres, 1 682 places in special child care centres (including 110 residential places), and 2 481 places in early education and training centres for children with disabilities. In addition, 64 places in small group homes were provided for mildly mentally handicapped children who could not be adequately cared for by their families.
Services for Adults with Disabilities
To develop the potential of persons with disabilities, 1645 supported employment places were made available for them to work in open settings with support and assistance. In addition, 432 places for persons with disabilities created under the 'On the Job Training Programme for People with Disabilities' and 311 places for young persons with disabilities or early signs of mental illness under the 'Sunnyway On the Job Training Programme for Young People with Disabilities' were made available to assist them in securing jobs. Those not yet ready to compete for work in the open market were accommodated in sheltered workshops where 5 133 places were provided. There were also a total of 453 places in integrated vocational training centres and 4 023 places in integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres.
To improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, a funding of about $46 million was allocated to 23 NGOs to enable them to set up 70 small businesses providing over 550 job opportunities for persons with disabilities under a project called 'Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities Through Small Enterprise'. In tandem, the Marketing Consultancy Office (Rehabilitation) assisted vocational rehabilitation services units in developing their marketing and business. strategies and employment-aided services.