ENG-2013 — Page 214

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Social Welfare

Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly

In 2013, the SWD was allocated $380 million from the Lotteries Fund to implement the first phase of the Pilot Scheme on Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly (which lasts for two years). The scheme's innovative 'money-follows-the-user' funding approach allows eligible elderly persons to use the vouchers to choose the services that suit their individual needs.

Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities

The SWD's Support Programme for Employees with Disabilities, launched in June, provides employers of persons with disabilities with a one-off subsidy up to $20,000 for each such. employee to procure assistive rehabilitation devices and/or workplace modifications to facilitate their employment and enhance their work efficiency.

Licensing Scheme for Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities

The Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance came into full operation on 10 June. The SWD is responsible for monitoring the operation of residential care homes for persons with disabilities (RCHDs). As at December 2013, the government has purchased 245 places in six private RCHDs under the pilot Bought Place Scheme to increase the supply of subsidised residential care services and help the market develop more service options for persons with disabilities.

Lump Sum Grant Subvention System

The government, together with the welfare sector, continued to work closely with the Lump Sum Grant (LSG) Steering Committee to implement the LSG Independent Review Committee's recommendations, including in 2013 the launch of Phase 2 of the Social Welfare Development Fund and the consultation with the sector on the preliminary framework of the Best Practice Manual.

Social Welfare Programmes

Family and Child Welfare

The SWD and NGOs provide a variety of family and child welfare services.

Family Services

The SWD provides services for families in need at three levels. At the primary level, attempts are made through early detection, public education, publicity and empowerment to prevent family problems. In 2013, the SWD produced a new series of docu-dramas jointly with the Radio Television Hong Kong to promote harmonious family life and to encourage members of the public to seek early assistance when necessary. The SWD also operates a departmental hotline to provide service information, counselling and other forms of assistance.

At the secondary level, 65 Integrated Family Service Centres across all districts in Hong Kong and two integrated services centres in Tung Chung provide support services, ranging from developmental programmes to intensive counselling.

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