Empowering the Family as the First Line of Support – Caregiver Support and Financial Security Presented By Poongkodi, Khairunnisah,,Widyawati, NoorAzha and Shirley

Efforts over the last 5 years…

2004 – Information portal DIRC (launch by NCSS) Aim: Provide updated information on disability to the general public and to link PWDS and the caregiver to the relevant services through its referral service. Services: Online, telephone and face to face information to the public and home visits

2005 – MCYS piloted the Family Support Group Programme AWWA FSGP, Down Syndrome, Rainbow Centre Aim: Provide social and emotional support through peer encouragement. Programme: Caregiver support group, sibling camps and parent volunteer training. In the same year ‘A First Step’ programme initiated by NUH was scrapped due to lack of resources.

2006 – AWWA piloted a 2 year Caregivers Centre (for the elderly and disability sectors) Aim: To raise general awareness and develop support services. Services: Services are the same as the previous year, in addition training for caregivers and service providers, promotion of networking and collaboration and public education.

CONSULTATION WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS (in order to better understand the needs of caregivers) Caregivers Service Providers Parents Workgroup Concerns: Need to ensure continuity and more services to be provided in order for caregivers to be empowered as the first line of support.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT 5 YEARS 2 Main thrusts 7 strategies Thrust 1: Caregiver centre Thrust 2: Enhance Existing Programme and Services

7 Strategies Strategy 1: Set up a disability caregiver centre. (thrust 1 – caregiver centre) In 2030, 20% of population will be above the age of 65 and there will be a rise in PWDs, thus the need to set up different sector with different skills to meet the needs of the abovementioned. At present there is only 1 caregiver centre run by AWWA. However, due to increasing needs of both group, specialisation would be needed.

Strategy 2: Build Caregiver Support into Existing Programme (thrust 2) 1. Caregiver wanted more support to address the emotional needs and behavioral challenges of their dependants. 2. Over reliance of caregivers on the professionals. Strategy 3: Provide Caregiver Training Grant Since parents need parenting and family life skills for special needs situation thus a training grant for caregivers is provided.

Strategy 4: Increase Access to Information and Referral Services Increase in the number of people seeking help –Job matching and financial help. With that additional support to be provided to DIRC to meet increasing demand. Strategy 5: Extend Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Levy Concession Reduce financial burden of caregivers.

Strategy 6: Ensure Services are Affordable to Families of Persons with Disabilities A review and update was recommended by the committee. Strategy 7: Enhance the Financial Security of Persons with Disabilities

Presentation of Parent’s Workgroup revealed low awareness and application of financial planning and discipline among the respondents. Committee supports that the report is a good indication of the realities of concern of every parent with child with special needs. The Government is looking into setting up a one-stop umbrella body to focus on financial security of PWDs. The committee supports the call for the Government to review the current health schemes such as Medishield and ElderShield.

Conclusion The committee hopes that the caregivers of PWDs would build better coping capabilities and be more resilient to take care of their dependants as well as their own needs.

Job Allocation Each of us read up and summarize each of our part. Azaha:- Type Poongkodi and Shirley:- Editing of power point Khairunnisah and Widyawati:- Elaboration and parting of information and printing