PROVINCE PARTNERS WITH CBO TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN WEYBURN

Three new group homes officially opened in Weyburn today, as the province continues to roll out its four-year, $76.9 million initiative to eliminate the waitlist for specialized, residential and day-program services for people with intellectual disabilities.

The new group homes were made possible by a partnership between the province and Weyburn Group Homes Society Inc.

"Through its ongoing commitment to help people with disabilities, Weyburn Group Homes Society leads by example, and shows why CBOs are an integral part of the province's human-service delivery system," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan said on behalf of Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer. "In partnership with Weyburn Group Homes Society, our government is pleased to help provide more people with intellectual disabilities with the specialized, residential and day-program services that they need."

Under the partnership agreement, the province will provide Weyburn Group Homes Society with operating funding of more than $750,000 annually for the three homes. The province also provided one-time capital funding of $300,000 for renovations and mortgage down payments.

This funding enabled Weyburn Group Homes Society to develop a three-space group home and two four-space group homes for people with intellectual disabilities, for a total of 11 spaces.

"With the significant financial support of the province, Weyburn Group Homes Society is pleased to be able to expand our residential services for people with intellectual disabilities in the Weyburn area," Weyburn Group Homes Executive Director Bernice Erickson said. "We now operate six group homes in Weyburn with the combined capacity to support 27 people with intellectual disabilities."

With funding from the province, Weyburn Group Homes Society also provides supported living services to another 20 people with intellectual disabilities, and also operates a six-space mental health group home and serves 20 people in a mental health independent living program.

The province-wide, $76.9 million waitlist initiative, announced by Harpauer in September 2008, is being phased in over four years and includes $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. In addition, approved private-service home providers will be provided with enhanced supports, and day programming standards are being updated to ensure that the appropriate level of support is provided to people with intellectual disabilities.

The $76.9 million investment is the largest in Saskatchewan history to support people with intellectual disabilities.

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For more information, contact:

Brian Miller
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: brian.miller3@gov.sk.ca