Disability Support ServicesIncreasing Participation and Independence
Date of publication: August 2002
Disability Support Services (DSS) are a range of support services for people with disabilities and their families and whanau. The Ministry's current direct funding role in relation to DSS contrasts with most other Vote: Health-funded services, which have been devolved to District Health Boards (DHBs).
Based on decisions made by Cabinet in July 2001, DSS for people 65 and over will be separated from DSS for people under 65. DSS for older people is planned for devolution to DHBs after 1 July 2003, subject to a Cabinet decision based on DHBs proving capability to provide an integrated continuum of care for people 65 and over. Future funding and planning options for DSS for people under 65 will be further considered from July 2004; the Ministry will continue to fund these services pending any changes resulting from this work.
The Ministry has established a number of strategic directions and priorities for the next three years. These include:
- separating the two funding streams for the different age groups, and creating viable arrangements (including the transition of DSS for older people) around these funding streams, so that the vision for older people (in the Health of Older People Strategy) and the strategic direction for younger people are established
- enhancing its strategic direction for younger people with disabilities - future directions will be based on the New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS), Ministry of Social Development-led work on equity of access and coherence of services for people with disabilities, and viable arrangements for DSS for younger people with disabilities ensuring there is a greater focus on outcomes, and increasing participation and independence, and working intersectorally
- ensuring that, throughout this transition, 'business as usual' service provision and improvements to the national consistency of services and policies occur, so there is as little disruption as possible to people with disabilities.
Achieving successful supported community living, improving services and reducing equity and service gaps, guided by the NZDS and within a carefully managed budget, will all contribute to this.
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Related information
Disability homepage |