$76.9 MILLION COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CONTINUES IN SASKATOON AREA

People with intellectual disabilities in the Saskatoon area will have greater access to residential and other programs, following the announcement today of a new home to be constructed near Aberdeen.

This new initiative, which includes a 15-space day program for people with intellectual disabilities, is the result of a partnership between the province and Farm in the Dell Inc. (Saskatchewan), a community-based organization (CBO). The new home and day program are part of the province's four-year, $76.9 million initiative to eliminate the waitlist for specialized, residential, and day-program services for people with intellectual disabilities.

"In partnership with Farm in the Dell, our government is pleased to help provide more people with intellectual disabilities with the residential and day-program services that they need," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said at today's official sod-turning. "CBOs are an integral part of the province's human-service delivery system. Farm in the Dell is one of several new CBOs across Saskatchewan that have joined with us to help deliver on our commitment to eliminate the current waitlist for residential and other programs for people with intellectual disabilities."

The province is providing Farm in the Dell with one-time capital funding of $500,000 to assist in the construction of the new home. The province has also committed to provide more than $750,000 in annual operational funding once the new home and day program open. Farm in the Dell has committed to raise the remaining $300,000 in estimated construction costs through private donations and other sources.

"With the generous financial support of the province, Farm in the Dell is thrilled to have spearheaded this initiative to provide residential and day-program services to people with disabilities in the Saskatoon area," Farm in the Dell co-Executive Director Lynette Zacharias said. "By locating our new group home and day program in a rural setting, we hope to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by enabling them to experience and participate in a traditional farming lifestyle."

The new 4,500-square-foot home will be constructed on an acreage Farm in the Dell is also planning to build a 2,000-square-foot building for the delivery of day programs as part of this project.

The province-wide $76.9 million waitlist initiative, announced by Harpauer in October 2008, is being phased in over four years and includes $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. 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