Alberta Seniors and Community Supports Minister Mary Anne Jablonski is launching a review of all programs and services for people with developmental disabilities (PDD) to see if some administrative costs can be channelled to the front lines.
“This is not a cost-cutting, or a reduction of funding or services,” said the Red Deer North MLA. “This is an administrative review. We’re hoping we can find some efficiencies, so we can put these funds back into front-line services.”
Many PDD stakeholders, including service providers, expressed concern to Jablonski a year ago about how much money was being spent on administration.
Jablonski said about 20 per cent —or $120 million — of the $597 million that the Alberta government spends on PDD supports goes to administrate PDD programs and services. She wants to reduce this amount in order to put as much money as possible into areas that actually benefit persons with developmental disabilities.
Jablonski said her department experienced a funding freeze this year. “We have a level budget, but there are some cost pressures” with inflation and aging clients with greater needs.
KPMG, an Edmonton consulting firm, was hired to conduct a review that’s expected to wrap up in September. The review will consider Michener Centre, as well as six community boards and 220 agencies that oversee group homes, work experience, and community involvement and activity programs.
Wayne Morrow, chief executive officer with Central PDD, said it would be a benefit “to make better use of money we already have. Anytime you can redirect funds to services, it’s a good thing.”
There are 250 persons with developmental disabilities living at Michener Centre and another 15 residents of the Youngstown facility east of Hanna. As well, 191 group homes exist in the central district.
Bill Lough, spokesperson for the Michener Centre parents’ group, could not be reached for comment.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com