OVERVIEW OF COMMUNITY INCLUSION FUND

The Community Inclusion Fund (CIF) was launched in 1997 following the deinstitutionalization initiative under the National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities. The primary aim of the Initiative is to strengthen community capacities to secure inclusion and citizenship for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

The Department of Social Development (formerly Human Resources Development Canada) provides an annual contribution of $3 million through its Social Development Partnerships Program. The Community Inclusion Initiative represents a partnership between the government of Canada and the Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), People First of Canada and provincial/territorial Associations for Community Living. Various provincial/territorial government departments partner and contribute to projects under the initiative.

Community Inclusion is a national initiative that reaches into all 13 provinces and territories and more than 600 communities across Canada. The initiative has created multiple partnerships between the national and provincial/territorial ACLs, government and community organizations, other disability and family related organizations, and has directly involved thousands of individuals with disabilities and their families.