PROVINCE CONTINUES TO BUILD CAPACITY IN CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM

The Government of Saskatchewan's efforts to improve the child welfare system continued today with the announcement of additional spaces for children and youth in care in Saskatoon. Two Saskatoon community based organizations will receive funding to open a total of 30 new residential spaces in the city.

Capital funding will be provided to the Saskatoon Downtown Youth Centre, Inc. (EGADZ) and the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Council. EGADZ will receive $600,000 to purchase property, furnishings and equipment to provide 20 residential placement spaces. The John Howard Society will provide 10 additional residential spaces for youth in care with $300,000 in capital funding.

"Our government is putting children and youth first," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "In March we promised to expand capacity for children and youth in care. We are keeping that promise by investing in two Saskatoon organizations that currently deliver successful programs to our youth."

"We know there is a need for more safe residential spaces for children and youth in Saskatoon," John Howard Society District Director Susan Saville said. "We will have our houses purchased and fully operational by early fall in order to ensure these children have a safe place to call home."

The John Howard Society currently runs two peer homes, a room and board program, a supported independent living program and an outreach program for youth. They have been providing services to the Ministry of Social Services for the past three years.

The lack of youth care spaces has been a serious gap in the care continuum in Saskatoon, and these important projects aim to help alleviate the problem of overcrowding identified by the Children's Advocate's February report.

"EGADZ is very pleased and proud to partner with Social Services to provide more living spaces for at risk youth in Saskatoon," EGADZ Chair Terry Scaddan said. "Our 'MY HOME' project houses provide at risk children and youth a safe and stable place to live, and the opportunity to grow and make a positive contribution to their community."

EGADZ is a community based organization that provides outreach, programming and accommodation options to at-risk youth. They currently operate seven homes for high-risk youth in Saskatoon.

Support for these projects comes from the $9.2 million in new capital funding announced in March, part of an overall investment of $25 million in 2009-10 to improve the child welfare system.

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For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916

Bill Thibodeau
EGADZ
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-931-6644

Susan Saville
John Howard Society of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-244-8347