2 October 2018
Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar
MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many Day Activity Centres (DACs) are there currently; (b) how many young adults aged 18-21 years old are enrolled in the DACs currently; and (c) how many special needs trained educators or caregivers are there in the DACs.
Answer
1 Day Activity Centres (DACs) are community-based day facilities that provide long-term care support for adult Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). DACs equip PwDs with skills to enable them to live as independently as possible at home and within the community. There are currently 30 DACs. As of August 2018, there are about 1,200 clients, of whom about 200 are young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 years.
2 Clients attending DACs are supported by a care team comprising professionals and direct care workers. The professional staff includes psychologists, therapists and social workers, who formulate the care plans as well as supervise and conduct activities such as behavioural modifications, therapy and counselling. The direct care workers, who are known as DAC training officers, support the clients and assist the professionals in their day-to-day activities.
3 There are a total of about 70 professionals and 250 direct care workers across the 30 DACs. Apart from being equipped with professional training and direct care knowledge, the staff working in DACs also attend courses to improve their skills in communicating with PwDs and understanding PwDs’ needs.