The SSAH program can be considered as a successful pilot program which can serve as the basis for a more comprehensive individualized funding program. Cost-effectiveness Personal supports based on individualized funding have less overhead because home and public facilities are used more extensively. Flexible individualized funding also encourages frugality. Savings in other less important areas according to personal priorities can compensate the extra cost of some personal supports. We also strongly believe that children who are provided with supports at home and who experience interaction with the community are likely to have less demanding needs when they become adults.
Individualized funding can increase cost-effectiveness of the whole service delivery system.
If they have to rely on user fees for their services, their viability will be related to consumer satisfaction. It introduces market forces and related efficiencies, lacking at present, into the social service sector. It is a means of containing costs in the sense that funds are allocated to actual requirements of individuals and over-serving is avoided. It would maximize flexibility in order to address community and individual circumstances. Correspondingly, the proposed reform would ensure responsiveness through individual and community planning.