GNWT releases NWT Supported Living Review Report

March 1, 2023

Today, Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green, tabled the NWT Supported Living Review Report and the Department of Health and Social Services Response to the Supported Living Review in the Legislative Assembly.

Supported living services provide support to adults with disabilities so that they can live as independently as possible in their own homes or in accommodations provided by a supported living service provider. The purpose of the Review was to identify gaps in service, future demand, and best practices to support adults with disabilities. Findings from the Report come from engagement with service users, stakeholders, and the public, as well as a jurisdictional scan of best practices and supported living models.

The report provides 33 recommendations to improve supported living services. These recommendations will help inform decisions related to program scope, future investments, and resource allocation for the supported living system. The Department has accepted 12 recommendations where work can begin with existing resources. The remaining 21 recommendations have been accepted in principle, pending additional resources. By advancing the recommendations, the scope of supported living services will be brought in-line with the objectives and goals of the NWT Disability Strategic Framework and the best practices for supporting adults with disabilities and their caregivers. It will also provide the framework for the GNWT to monitor the outcomes, efficiency, and effectiveness of supported living services

Quote(s)

“The GNWT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities and working with service users and stakeholder organizations to advance policy and program changes that enhance inclusion and equitable access. The Supported Living Review advances this commitment by identifying what is currently working and where improvements can be made to ensure we have a family-centred, culturally safe, and inclusive model for delivering supported living services.”

– Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services

Quick facts

• The NWT Supported Living Review was developed in response to a commitment made from a previous stakeholder engagement around the Disability Program Review and Renewal Project (2017), which revealed inadequate access to equitable and supportive housing and support services for adults with disabilities across the NWT.
• The NWT Supported Living Review will be used to inform the development of a person and family-centred, culturally safe supported living model that best suits the NWT.
• A public survey ran from October 25 to November 17, 2021. Public engagement sessions were held in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Behchokǫ̀, Yellowknife, Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Simpson from November 29 to December 8, 2021. Virtual public engagement sessions were held on December 9, 13 and 14, 2021.
• Input was also sought through interviews with persons with disabilities, family members/caregivers of persons with disabilities, service providers, non-government organizations, Indigenous governments, and GNWT leadership from August 2021 to January 2022.
• The primary objectives of the Review were:
  • Analyzing existing Supported Living (SL) programs and services for persons with disabilities
  • Conducting public and stakeholder engagement
  • Analyzing the demand for SL services
  • Conducting a jurisdictional scan to gain information about SL services in other parts of Canada and the world
  • Developing an updated definition of Supported Living in the NWT
  • Developing a renewed SL service model for persons with disabilities in the NWT who require support with daily living
  • Developing recommendations to improve SL service delivery in the NWT
• The report provides 33 recommendations to address the gaps in the current supported living system to improve supported living services in order to better meet the needs of adults with disabilities.
• The recommendations will assist with decisions related to program scope, future investments, and allocation of resources in SL.
• The Department Response identifies what recommendations can be advanced with existing resources, and what work the Department will undertake to address the remaining recommendations.

Related links

• NWT Supported Living Review Report
• Department of Health and Social Services Response to Supported Living Review Recommendations

For media requests, please contact:

Jeremy Bird

Manager, Communications

Department of Health and Social Services

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jeremy_Bird@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034

NT5