ENG-2011 — Page 248

208 | Social Welfare

Measures to improve the community living supplement under the CSSA Scheme

With effect from October 2011, the monthly rate of community living supplement under the CSSA Scheme was increased from $120 to $250; and extended to CSSA recipients with disabilities at non-severe levels, in ill-health, or elderly persons who are not living in institutions to better support their staying in the community.

Pilot Scheme on Home Care Services for Frail Elders

In March 2011, the SWD, with funding support from the Lotteries Fund, implemented a three-year pilot scheme on home care services for frail elders to support elderly persons who are severely impaired and on the waiting list for subsidised nursing home places to continue staying at home through the provision of a new package of intensive and tailor-made home care services. Three pilot teams were set up in six districts in Kowloon including Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Sai Kung, Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po.

Pilot Scheme on Home Care Service for Persons with Severe Disabilities

The SWD launched a three-year pilot scheme on home care service for persons with severe disabilities in March 2011 to provide persons with severe disabilities who are living in the community and on the waiting list for residential care services, with a package of home-based services to meet their care, nursing and rehabilitation training needs. The scheme was launched in Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin, Kwai Tsing and Tuen Mun.

The Licensing Scheme for Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities (RCHDs)

The Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance commenced operation on November 18, 2011 (except Part 2 on sanctions for operating a residential care home without a licence or certificate of exemption), providing for the control of residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs) through a licensing scheme administered by the Director of Social Welfare. An 18-month grace period is provided to allow time for RCHDs to put in place improvement measures in compliance with the legislative requirements and in applying for a licence or certificate of exemption.

The Government implemented the four-year pilot Bought Place Scheme (BPS) in 2010 and the Financial Assistance Scheme in 2011 for private RCHDs as complementary measures to the introduction of the legislative scheme to help operators meet the licensing requirements and help the market develop quality residential care services for persons with disabilities.

Lump Sum Grant Subvention System

The Government, in concert with the welfare sector, has implemented or taken forward all the recommendations made by the Lump Sum Grant (LSG) Independent Review Committee. The Government will continue to work closely with the reconstituted LSG Steering Committee to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the recommendations.