GOVERNMENT CONTINUES INVESTMENT IN SASKATCHEWAN CHILDREN AND YOUTH AGENDA

The provincial government is investing more than $40 million in 2012-13 in the second Saskatchewan Children and Youth Agenda budget, an increase of $6 million over last year, to continue its co-ordinated, cross-government approach to helping Saskatchewan children, youth and families with the complex issues they face.

"Our government's commitment to improve quality of life for the citizens of this province is a commitment that begins with our children," Social Services Minister and Co-Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Children and Youth June Draude said. "Through the Saskatchewan Children and Youth Agenda, we are finding new ways to work together across government and with our First Nation, Métis and community partners to achieve meaningful change and better outcomes for the most vulnerable members of our society."

Funding is being provided for the four components of the Children and Youth Agenda: Child Welfare Review; First Nations and Métis Education and Employment; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Programs; and Building Partnerships to Reduce Crime.

Highlights of the 2012-13 funding include:

• $20.8 million for the Child Welfare Review, including $3 million for the Structured Decision Making tool to help front line workers assess risk and safety and $2 million for intensive family supports to assist families in crisis and reduce the need for child apprehension;
• $15.6 million for First Nation and Métis Education and Employment, including $4.4 million to continue the successful new approach to Adult Basic Education; $600,000 to continue to support apprenticeship training for First Nations and Métis people; and $4.6 million in operating and capital to support 40 existing pre-kindergarten programs and develop 15 new programs for vulnerable three and four year old early learners;
• $3.2 million for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) programs, including increases of $1 million for more intensive ASD therapeutic programming for preschool children and specialized training for professionals who work in the health and education systems; and $600,000 for intensive FASD prevention and support programming for pregnant women at high risk; and
• $450,000 for the Building Partnerships to Reduce Crime strategy to create new partnerships based on Prince Albert's successful Hub model of mobilizing community resources to reduce crime.

"These additional investments in the 2012-13 Budget will help further the goals of the Saskatchewan Children and Youth Agenda: to ensure that children get a good start in life; youth are prepared for their future; families are strong and communities are supportive," Draude said.

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For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479