Debated in Parliament on 9 Mar 2022.
Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers can be expanded to more early intervention programmes for infants and children so as to allow more families to qualify for financial support.
Under the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers (PPIP) programme, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) appoints private sector operators to provide early intervention (EI) services for preschool-aged children requiring medium to high levels of EI support. Families are supported by relevant means-tested subsidies. The PPIP programme serves as a complement to the Government-funded Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) run by social service agencies. Parents whose children are referred to EIPIC can choose to enrol their child in an approved PPIP programme.
ECDA is committed to ensuring the adequate provision of EI services for children with developmental needs. From April 2022, the number of centres providing the PPIP programme will be increased from 10 to 16, increasing the total number of PPIP programme places by 40%. Appointed centres have to participate in an open selection process and be evaluated in areas such as programme design, staff quality and centre management.
To meet increased demand for subsidised EI services, we will also expand the number of EIPIC places through the construction of two new EI centres. These are expected to be ready by end of 2022 and mid-2024 respectively.
Aside from increasing EIPIC and PPIP programme capacity, we have also expanded the range of EI services within preschools to support more children with developmental needs. For example, we introduced the Development Support Plus (DS-Plus) programme in 2019, to cater to children who have made sufficient progress under EIPIC and are able to transit to receiving intervention in a preschool setting. We are also piloting an Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) to support children aged three to six, who require medium levels of EI support, to access both early childhood education and EI services within their preschool. These initiatives will help more children requiring varying levels of support access subsidised EI services.
PAPERCUTS