$1.25 MILLION FOR AT-RISK CHILDREN IN PRINCE ALBERT

Children in need of out-of-home care in Prince Albert will have access to additional residential care options, with the announcement today of new capital funding from the Government of Saskatchewan of up to $650,000 to local CBOs to help purchase three residential properties. The government will also be providing annual operating funding of nearly $600,000 for the new children's residences for the remainder of this fiscal year.

The new funding includes a capital grant of up to $300,000 to the YWCA of Prince Albert to assist with the purchase, renovation, and furnishing of two residential properties, and up to $350,000 to Rising Stars Children's Ranch of Prince Albert to assist with the purchase, renovation, and furnishing of a single residential property in a rural setting. Each organization will use their funding to create 10 residential spaces for children in the care of the ministry, for a total of 20 new spaces in the Prince Albert area.

"There is no greater priority than our children, and our government is committed to ensuring that children in Prince Albert and across Saskatchewan have healthy, safe places to live," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "This new capital funding of up to $650,000 will create 20 new residential spaces for at-risk children in the Prince Albert area. In addition, the province is providing Rising Stars and the YWCA with operational funding for the remainder of this fiscal year totalling nearly $600,000 combined."

"This new funding from the province represents a significant commitment to the care of at-risk children in the Prince Albert area," Prince Albert YWCA Executive Director Donna Brooks said. "In addition to the capital funding, the province has committed to provide ongoing operational funding for our new residences throughout this fiscal year and beyond."

"We are pleased to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to help address the crucial need for more quality residential spaces for at-risk children in the Prince Albert area," Rising Stars Executive Director Dave Hobden said. "Together, organizations such as Rising Stars Children's Ranch and the YWCA, with the significant financial support of the provincial government, can help make a difference in the lives of at-risk children in the Prince Albert area and across Saskatchewan."

The two new YWCA residences will provide a total of 10 residential spaces for youth who are 16 to 21 years of age, and will follow a youth-centered, peer-home model of care.

The Rising Stars Children's Ranch will provide short-term residential care in a more rural setting to 10 children who are 6 to 12 years of age. Two of the ranch's 10 residential spaces will be designated as respite spaces for foster care providers in the Prince Albert area.

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For more information, contact:

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