Strengthening Support for Families in Need

The SWD completed the re-engineering of family services in March 2005. Through pooling of resources, a total of 61 Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) were set up over the territory to provide a wide range of services to support families in need.

In addition, residential child care services (including foster care and children's home places) and manpower provision for the Clinical Psychology Units, Family and Child Protective Services Units and IFSCs were enhanced through service re-engineering as well as allocation of new resources. The Suicide Crisis Intervention Centre, which was a pilot project, was turned into a regular subvented service in May. The department also allocated additional funding to the Family Crisis Support Centre and the four Refuge Centres for Women to enhance their support services, particularly services at night, and strengthen public education, training and district liaison work to deal with increasing domestic violence.

Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged

The Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, a $200 million Government initiative to encourage business and welfare sectors to join forces on projects, set up an advisory committee in February. The committee, made up of non-official members from the welfare, business and academic sectors, examines and advises on applications for funding and on matters relating to the operation of the fund. The department started to invite the first round of applications in March 2005. More than $9 million in grants — to match those from the business sector was allocated to 29 non-governmental organisations operating different welfare initiatives that serve a wide range of target groups while over $11 million in cash and in-kind sponsorship was contributed by 80 business partners of the NGOs. Many of the business partners also offered volunteer services to disadvantaged groups. The second round of applications opened on October 17 and closed at the end of the year.

Enrolled Nurse Training Programme for the Welfare Sector

The department, with the assistance of the Hospital Authority, will run a two-year, full-time Enrolled Nurse (General)/Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) training programme for the welfare sector as an interim measure to address the nursing shortage in the sector, in particular elderly services and rehabilitation services. Some 110 Enrolled Nurse training places will be provided, with priority to be accorded to individuals currently working in the sector. Tuition fees will be subsidised by SWD, and graduates will have to work in the welfare sector for at least two years after graduation. The course is scheduled to start in March 2006.

Targeting Services for Young People with Mental Health Problems

The SWD has introduced a number of new rehabilitation initiatives to address the special needs of young people with mental health problems. The Community Mental Health Care Services help patients who have been discharged from hospitals and halfway houses, especially those aged from 15 to 25, to readjust to living in the community.

Specialised support services for young people with early signs of mental health problems are also provided in collaboration with the Hospital Authority's five child and adolescent psychiatry teams. They target six to 18 year olds with mild to moderate mental health problems and their main aim is early identification and intervention. The services include public education on mental health, advisory and consultation services to schools, youth centres and other organisations in the community and training for personnel working with young people. To enhance the self-reliance of young people with disabilities and those with early signs of mental illness, Sunnyway, an on-the-job training programme, was launched in October to provide job-related counselling, guidance, employment training, and a job attachment, job trial and post-placement service.

District Support Scheme for Children and Youth Development

The Government allocated $15 million annually to the department to organise the District Support Scheme for Children and Youth Development starting in the 2005-06 financial year. The scheme, which started in September, provides funding for administrative districts of the SWD to run district projects and provide direct cash assistance to help the young — from birth to 24 — in disadvantaged circumstances. The money is used to meet the expenses involved in education, job skills training and employment, social exposure and potential development.