Integrated Adult Services Pilot Project
On June 30, 2021, the Manitoba government announced it was collaborating with persons with disabilities, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), and the Manitoba Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to develop a pilot project designed to address gaps and barriers in services for adults with complex disability-related needs.
The Departments of Families and Health, Seniors and Long Term Care as well as the WRHA, worked together to develop a new service delivery model for adults with both a medical diagnosis and complex disability-related needs through a 30-month pilot project called “Integrated Adult Services” or IAS. A plain language guide (PDF) is available that explains the project.
The project was overseen by a steering committee made up of representatives from the community, individuals with disabilities and lived experience, family members of individuals with lived experience, service providers, the Manitoba government, WRHA and the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.
There were 30 people living with disabilities in the Winnipeg Health Region who were recruited to participate in the IAS Pilot Project to help the government find out what challenges adults with disabilities face when they try to access services for needed supports and how those challenges can be overcome.
Some of the complex support needs people had included (but were not limited to):
- Personal Care
- Home Care
- Housing
- Day Services
- Employment
- Equipment
- Mental Health
- Prescription Medication
- Transportation
- Income
- Respite
Interim Report
The IAS Pilot Project interim summary report (PDF) reflects the findings and recommendations of an independent evaluator at the midpoint of the Pilot Project. Please contact ADS@gov.mb.ca to request the interim report in another format or if you have any questions.
Project Eligibility
To have participated in the Project, people needed to meet the following requirements:
- 1. Live in the Winnipeg Health Region (includes Winnipeg, Churchill and East and West St. Paul).
- 2. Are age 18 or older.
- 3. Have a medical diagnosis and:
- a) A permanent complex physical disability, or
- b) A permanent complex physical and intellectual disability.
- 4. Have challenges accessing disability related supports and services in Manitoba.
Those who did not meet the criteria identified in 3(a) or 3(b), could receive approval to participate from the steering committee if they were clearly experiencing serious disability-related barriers to obtaining supports and services.
Participants took part in a needs assessment, service planning process, and an evaluation. The IAS Pilot Project began accepting applications on November 9, 2022.
Principles and Goals of the Project
The IAS Pilot Project was guided by the following principles and goals:
- IAS will be person-centred.
- Assessment and service delivery will be based on the individual needs of each person. Service planning will be developed in collaboration with each person respecting their right to self-determination.
- Creative solutions and problem solving within existing programs will be emphasized.
- The project will document the lived experience of all participants and of other adults with a medical diagnosis and complex-disability related needs living throughout Manitoba. The project will deal with any gaps, limitations, resource needs, or system barriers that may exist for the participants.
- Evaluation of programming and services will be based on individual outcomes with the goal of giving the government ideas to know how to make changes.
- The pilot project will be accessible and work to remove barriers to participation.
