ESTEVAN DIVERSIFIED SERVICES RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Larry Ward, MLA for Estevan today announced on behalf of Social

Services Minister Harry Van Mulligen that Estevan Diversified Services

has received $6,260 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," Ward said. "Community-based organizations

are our partners in helping ensure people with intellectual

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



Estevan Diversified Services operates a sheltered workshop, an

activity centre, group homes, group living programs, independent and

apartment living programs, and a long term employment initiative for

residents in Estevan and area.



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