Common Vision for Real Transformation
(See Part I of Newsletter for Summary of Principles # 1 & # 2)
Principle and Direction # 3
Individualized funding is available for disability supports and can be applied for by individuals/families/support networks.
Funds for disability supports that are invested in people, not programs; all funding is individualized.
All funding for disability supports is to be portable.
Disability supports are separate from funding for housing.
Independent facilitators who are trained in value based facilitation and planning, are accountable to the person and his/her family and network, can balance the voice of the person with family input, and recognizes and works with support circles/networks.A strength and capacity oriented application form for individualized funding.
An approach that enables people to access small amounts of money to initiate a process of planning they choose.
Individualized funding that is adequate, portable, and equitable.
Individualized funding is an investment in citizenship and participation.
Individualized funding allows for maximum flexibility when developing disability supports.
Funding designated for a person when combined with independent planning and facilitation enables people to tailor supports to the needs and capacities of the individual.
Research shows that individualized funding is cost neutral and produces better outcomes for people (Tim Stainton review - www.individualizedfunding.ca)
Develop a simple application form that will reflect a person's support plan; strengths, needs, goals, informal and formal supports, and a support budget, Include a series of questions that will show how a person's support plan builds capacity; citizenship, community connections, relationships, and empowerment, as examples.
Do not put arbitrary caps on funding proposals, but base funding on actual needs and support plans.
Identify areas that are eligible for individualized funding disability supports, including home support, employment support, attendant services, skill development, respite, supports for learning opportunities, and relationship building.
Ensure that people have choices in terms of how they want to implement their individualized funding - self-managed, use of agency as banker, hire own workers - in ways that ensure accountability.