ENG-2012 — Page 215

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Social Welfare

Residential Care Supplement under the CSSA Scheme

With effect from 1 June 2012, a residential care supplement is provided to CSSA recipients aged 60 or above, and recipients with disabilities or in ill-health of any age who occupy non- subsidised residential care places.

Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres

In 2012, the SWD was allocated $900 million from the Lotteries Fund to implement a six-year programme to enhance the physical setting and facilities of 237 elderly centres across the territory.

Mentor Scheme for Employees with Disabilities

The SWD launched a mentor scheme for employees with disabilities in December 2012, which provides financial incentives to encourage mentors to provide workplace assistance for these employees.

The Licensing Scheme for Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities

The SWD has been processing the applications for licences and certificates of exemption. following the commencement of the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance. Under the pilot Bought Place Scheme (BPS), 185 additional places in six private residential care homes were brought into operation in 2012 to increase the supply of subsidised. residential care services and help the market develop more services for persons with disabilities.

Lump Sum Grant Subvention System

The Government, in concert with the welfare sector, has been working closely with the Lump Sum Grant (LSG) Steering Committee to implement the recommendations made by the LSG Independent Review Committee, including the launch of Phase 2 of the Social Welfare Development Fund, production of the Best Practice Manual and provision of the second round pilot actuarial study for NGOs.

Services for At-risk Youths

To reach out to more youths at risk and better tackle the growing problems of juvenile gangs, the SWD secured additional funding in 2012 to set up three new Youth Outreaching Teams, one each in Tseung Kwan O, Ma On Shan and Tung Chung. The new teams will commence service in January 2013.

Integrated Community-based Services for Offenders

To provide one-stop statutory services to offenders, the 11 Probation Offices, the Community Service Orders (CSO) Office and the Community Support Service Centres were re-organised into seven Probation and Community Service Orders Offices (PCSOs) in July 2012, each serving its respective Magistrates' Court. The Co-ordinating Office of Community Service Orders was also set up to support the PCSOs in arranging community work for persons placed under a CSO by the court.

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