In May 2011, government announced the results of the KPMG review of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program’s spending on administration. The PDD Community Boards, through their Chairs, were given 11 strategic directions to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the PDD program and build upon the six foundational Priority Actions that were established in 2008. The goals of these changes are to: focus the PDD program on achieving positive outcomes for the individuals it serves; have consistent, effective and efficient delivery of services based on a “one program” approach; and ensure the sustainability of the PDD program.

Background: Structure to Organize and Implement the Changes

In addition to the 11 strategic directions for improvement, the PDD program has also been doing a significant amount of work related to the six Priority Actions established in 2008. Some of them, such as improving supports for families involved in Family Managed Services, were raised again in the KPMG review. It made sense to consolidate the changes related to the Priority Actions and the 11 strategic directions into nine “change initiatives” to ensure they are implemented in a coordinated way that results in minimal disruption to services for PDD-funded individuals.

The nine change initiatives are:

1. Implement a one program/one organization approach
2. Improve the funding and contracting process
3. Improve accountability and ensure continuous improvement
4. Develop an integrated client information technology system
5. Clarify the program’s mandate and demonstrate best practices
6. Implement a common approach to communicating about the PDD program (including one website)
7. Redirect cost savings from administration to front line services for individuals
8. Support and enhance use of Family Managed Services as an option for families
9. Improve supports for individuals with complex needs

As a result of this project structure, the quarterly status reports will focus on nine Change Initiatives that include work related to the Priority Actions and the 11 strategic directions given to the PDD Community Boards.

On September 13-14, 2011, the PDD Community Boards had an opportunity to meet together to develop a common understanding of the directions for the PDD program and their role as governors in implementing and communicating these directions.

In the coming weeks, more information will be shared with stakeholders about the implementation of these changes. There will also be opportunities for stakeholders to provide input into specific change initiatives over the coming months.

First Status Report – May to September 30, 2011

Administrative Review - May 2011 Letter to the PDD Community Boards

A major activity was the consultation on enhancing the PDD program’s contracting process, which was led by Ms. Genia Leskiw, MLA Bonnyville - Cold Lake. Several focus groups were held in June 2011, attended by individuals receiving PDD supports, their families/guardians, and PDD-funded service providers. The  report summarizing the consultations was posted on the PDD section of the Alberta Seniors website. The information will be used as the PDD program develops pilots to test components of a new contracting approach.

Two initiatives were implemented by September 30, 2011. They are as follows:

1. Common Communication: A common approach to communicating information about the PDD program was developed, using the Ministry website. A consolidated website is now operational that contains comprehensive information about the PDD program in one location. This replaces the six regional websites formerly managed by the Community Boards and reinforces that the PDD program is “one program.” The consolidated website contains information about the program and links to pages that contain information about the regional Community Boards and their activities.
2. Family Managed Services: Activities to support and enhance the use of Family Managed Services (FMS), including developing common information, resources and tools for families across the Province have been completed. A comprehensive package of material about Family Managed Services has been developed and is contained on the FMS section of this website. This information is also available in written booklet form in every PDD region. The information contains Fact Sheets and Handbooks on topics such as: Is FMS right for you?; Planning Supports for your Family Member; Finding the Right Staff – Recruiting and Interviewing Potential Employees; and Being a Good Employer. It also contains testimonials from families involved in FMS (both audio and video) and contacts for families who are interested in being mentored, or being a mentor, to other families. This information will help families decide whether the Family Managed Services option is right for them, and will give them tools to help them be successful in managing supports for their family member.

Priority Actions

In 2008, six Priority Actions for the PDD program were established to provide increased clarity, consistency, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the program. More information is available on this website regarding the Priority Actions.

Following is a brief description of the Priority Actions and what has been achieved to date:

1. Implement an eligibility regulation to define who is eligible for supports. A regulation came into effect July 2009 and applied to any individual who applied for supports from the PDD program since August 1, 2009. The regulation did not change the eligibility criteria but formally established the criteria that had been applied through policy since the creation of the PDD program in 1997. Individuals who were eligible for supports prior to the establishment of the regulation continued to be eligible after the regulation was implemented.
2. Define the mission and core business of the PDD program. In 2009, a common mission and three core businesses were established for the PDD program; these were adopted by all PDD Community Boards and are posted on this website to ensure the public is clear on what services the PDD program provides.
3. Develop a common assessment process to determine individual support needs and related funding. The Supports Intensity Scale – or SIS – has been adopted as the consistent tool used by all PDD Community Boards to assess an individual’s support needs. This tool is used for new individuals entering the program, and work continues to incorporate the assessment tool in service planning for individuals already receiving services. To date, the support needs of over 4,000 PDD-funded individuals have been assessed using the SIS.
4. Increase flexibility for families to manage supports. Work on this Priority Action was initiated in 2009 and has contributed largely to the work completed in September 2011 – development of common information, resources and tools that will be accessible to families who want to use the Family Managed Services (FMS) option.
5. Improve support for people with complex needs. A significant amount of work has occurred in collaboration with Health and Wellness, Alberta Health Services, Education, Solicitor General and Public Security, and Children and Youth Services to better serve the individuals who require supports from various government departments.
6. Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the program.  Work has been underway to implement the Personal Outcomes Initiative across the Province. This project started in the PDD Edmonton Region as a way to measure how services impact personal outcomes of individuals. Agencies and individuals involved in the work of the Edmonton Region provided positive feedback about the initiative and their involvement. Related to this is work underway to develop a Performance Measurement Framework, which will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the PDD system in achieving its desired results, including achieving positive outcomes for individuals in supports.

Upcoming Work

Over the next three months, work will focus on:

• Communicating with stakeholders about the changes and involving them in planning some specific Change Initiatives;
• Improving the new consolidated website;
• Enhancing accountability and monitoring processes for Family Managed Services to ensure quality services;
• Developing a proposal for a common organizational approach across the PDD regions that reflects a one-organization approach;
• Reviewing input from the consultation sessions led by Ms. Genia Leskiw, MLA Bonnyville – Cold Lake, on a new contracting approach, and developing pilot projects to be tested starting in January 2012; and
• Developing a strategy for a common accountability framework for PDD funded service agencies.

In January 2012, further progress made by the PDD Community Boards regarding implementation of the Change Initiatives will be reported.