SOUTHWEST HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED OF SWIFT CURRENT RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING

John Wall, MLA for Swift Current today announced on behalf of Social

Services Minister Harry Van Mulligen that Southwest Homes for the

Handicapped of Swift Current has received $15,000 additional annual

funding. This will enable the agency to provide additional support to

intellectually-disabled people in the community and help achieve the

goal of ensuring individuals are able to participate as fully as

possible in society.



"We are continuing to invest in quality services for individuals with

intellectual challenges," Wall said. "Community-based organizations

are our partners in helping ensure people with intellectual

disabilities achieve a better quality of life in the community."



Southwest Homes for the Handicapped currently operates a group home

and provides services to meet the needs of individuals living in their

own homes.



In 1999/2000, Social Services is providing more than $39 million to

community-based organizations that operate programs and services for

intellectually-disabled individuals, an increase of 8.9 per cent over

last year. Community-based organizations deliver a wide range of

early childhood intervention, vocational, respite, residential and

other community-based services for people with intellectual

disabilities in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:



Kimberly Wihnan

Social Services

Regina Phone: (306)787-8689