New System Will Let Nova Scotians Manage Disability Funding

Nova Scotia is building a system that will let more people manage funding for their own disability and home-support services.

The province has hired Seafair to develop the individualized funding system, which is expected to be ready early next spring.

Three-year contract includes system and participant support

The contract provides $26.2 million to develop the technology and administrative system, with up to $29 million available to support the people who use it.

Individualized funding gives money directly to an eligible person or family member. Participants can then arrange supports that fit their needs, schedule workers and pay for services. The new platform is intended to reduce the paperwork involved in managing those funds.

People enrolled in the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care’s Home Support Direct Funding program will also use the system. That program helps eligible Nova Scotians arrange services such as respite, personal care and light housekeeping.

The work is part of Nova Scotia’s response to the Human Rights Remedy concerning services and community living for people with disabilities. Individualized funding is one of six main directions in the remedy.

Seafair will lead the project through a collaboration called OwnCare, which also includes Gotcare, Deloitte, Brightisle and Keen.

Read the provincial news release.