Release of Report on PDD Focus Groups: Message from the Minister

I am pleased to release the report from the focus sessions that were held in June regarding a new contracting process for the Persons with Developmental Disabilities, or PDD program.

I want to thank MLA Genia Leskiw for her leadership, as well as all of the participants for contributing their time, energy, and expertise to this process. The feedback we received was very informative. We will be looking to participants’ feedback to assist in the development of a new contracting process that is efficient and effective.

Changes to the contracting process will be implemented gradually, with pilot projects to be developed this fall, then up and running in January 2012, followed by an evaluation phase. We are taking a measured, careful approach to this work. We need to take our time in developing a new contracting process that is both efficient and effective in meeting the needs of individuals, and full implementation will not occur until spring 2013.

The contracting process is one of four accepted recommendations that came out of the KPMG Administrative Review of the PDD program. Project teams are also working on the other three accepted recommendations to build greater consistency in the delivery of the PDD program across the province, improve supports to Family Managed Services, and update the program’s information technology system. I am pleased with the progress of this work so far, and I am confident that together, we can work toward building an even better future for Albertans with developmental disabilities.

Mary Anne Jablonski
Minister