Manitoba Disabilities Issues Office

Community Living

Objective:

To help adults with disabilities live more independently in communities of their choice and expand sustainable community living options

Key Accomplishments

• Employment and Income Assistance has increased room, board and care rates to families caring for adult children with disabilities.
• Round Table Recommendation: The provincial government has demonstrated its commitment to community living for persons with intellectual disabilities.  Since 1999/2000, funding for the Supported Living Program has increased by 223 per cent, the Pelican Lake Centre has been closed and the number of residents at the Manitoba Developmental Centre has been reduced by over 30 per cent (to 314 from 467).
• Round Table Recommendation: Manitoba Health and regional health authorities support self and family managed home care options.
• The Primary Caregiver Tax Credit for the 2009 tax year provides recognition and financial support to volunteer primary caregivers.

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2009/10 Down Payment on the Disability Strategy

• Family Services and Housing will actively offer the Primary Caregiver Tax Credit to eligible participants in the Supported Living Program and Children’s Special Services Program so more caregivers can take advantage of the tax credit.
• Funding for the Supported Living Program has been increased by $10.1 million. This will allow programs to support more people, increase the number of supported living agencies providing services and increase grants provided to agencies. Between 1999/2000 and 2009/10, the Supported Living Program budget has increased by 223 per cent.

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Future Directions

• Round Table Recommendation: Family Services and Housing will complete the design of a comprehensive, multi-year strategy for the long term sustainability of the Supported Living Program.
• The province will work to establish a community inclusion fund and develop partnerships with various agencies to promote greater community inclusion and support networks for adults with disabilities.
• More supports will be set up to allow persons with disabilities and their families to save and build assets for the future.

Questions for Feedback

1. How can Manitoba better help with intellectual disabilities to live more independently in the communities of their choice?
2. How can we better support to persons with disabilities as they, their families and caregivers age?
3. How can we help families and friends support adults with intellectual disabilities?

Leave your Feedback now.

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