FUNDING OF $5.2 MILLION FOR SOCIAL SERVICES CBOS

The Ministry of Social Services is continuing its funding agreements with more than a dozen community-based organizations (CBOs) that assist persons with disabilities, vulnerable women and children, people struggling with homelessness and other Saskatchewan people in need. The agreements will provide these CBOs with up to $5.2 million for 2010-11.

"CBOs play a vital role in providing a variety of human services to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our province," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "Our government is pleased to continue our partnerships with several CBOs in Saskatoon, Regina, Lloydminster and Prince Albert, helping them to reach out to people in need in their communities and across Saskatchewan."

CBO allocations by the Ministry of Social Services in 2010-11 include:

• Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres, Saskatoon - up to $1,250,000;
• Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd., Saskatoon - up to $840,000;
• Young Women's Christian Association of Regina for My Aunt's Place - up to $480,000;
• Cosmopolitan Learning Centre Inc., Regina - up to $412,000;
• Welfare Rights Centre, Regina - up to $375,500;
• Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Inc., Regina - up to $331,000;
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Regina - up to $313,000;
• Saskatchewan Association for Community Living Inc., Saskatoon - up to $302,000;
• Saskatchewan Abilities Council Inc., Saskatoon - up to $300,000;
• Lloydminster Men's Shelter (Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society) - up to $250,000;
• Canadian Paraplegic Association (Saskatchewan) Inc., Saskatoon - up to $130,000;
• Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre - up to $86,040; and
• Governing Council of the Salvation Army of Canada, Saskatoon Community Centre - up to $83,180;

Funding for the Lloydminster Men's Shelter and the Regina YWCA My Aunt's Place shelter is based on projected occupancy. Allocations for the remaining CBOs reflect the one per cent funding increase to Saskatchewan CBOs, announced as part of the 2010-11 provincial budget. This brought the overall increase provided to CBOs for salary and operating costs to 13.3 per cent over three fiscal years. Following input received at the 2008 CBO summits, many of the province's human-services CBOs now operate with the security of multi-year funding agreements.

"The Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC) is pleased to be one of the many CBOs which are continuing our partnerships with the provincial government to provide an array of human services to people in need throughout 2010-11," SARC President Dawn Desautel said. "With the ongoing financial support of the province, SARC and our member organizations are pleased to continue to provide residential, developmental and employment supports and services to thousands of people with disabilities across Saskatchewan."

Funding agreements with many other human-services CBOs have also been continued over the past few weeks.

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For more information, contact:

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