Individual Budget Model for Community Based Social Services for Children with Disabilities in Latvia: Analysis of Results of Pilot Project

Children with disabilities require continuous health care and social services to address their individual changing needs resulting from impairment of physical health, communication possibilities and abilities to carry out daily activities. The research was carried out to pilot innovative approach of financing community-based services (CBS) for children with disabilities in Latvia. Individual budget model (IBM) as a method of provision individual support services within finite financial budget involves four interconnected stages: 1. Assessment of individual needs of every child. 2. Elaboration of support plan to address assessed needs. 3. Provision of support services in line with individual support plan. 4. Revisiting of individual goals, set during assessment stage and rearrangement of support plan.