FUNDING APPROVED FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

People with intellectual disabilities in Yorkton, Rosthern and Saskatoon will have greater access to residential and day programs, following the approval of $800,000 in capital funding by the Government of Saskatchewan for projects in those communities. The province has also approved one-time funding of an additional $100,000 to the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC) for a staff training and recruitment initiative for community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve clients with intellectual disabilities.

"This funding will enable CBOs in three communities to expand the capacity of two day programs and one group home, enabling those CBOs to serve up to 21 people with intellectual disabilities from the waitlist," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. "In addition, we are providing $100,000 to SARC to assist Saskatchewan CBOs that serve people with intellectual disabilities with the recruitment, training and retention of staff."

The new funding consists of:

• a grant of up to $500,000 to Valley Action Abilities Inc. of Rosthern for a down payment to expand their day-program facility, providing capacity to increase their day-program services for up to five people from the waitlist, and to enhance services to people with intellectual disabilities who are currently being served;
• up to $200,000 to the Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council Inc. to expand their day-program facility capacity by up to 15 spaces;
• up to $100,000 to the Lutheran Sunset Home of Saskatoon to purchase a replacement group home for three people with intellectual disabilities who are already being served by this organization, as well as to serve one person from the waitlist; and
• up to $100,000 to SARC to assist CBOs serving clients with intellectual disabilities to address challenges to staff retention, including supervisory training and utilizing effective staff interview and selection tools.

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.

By the end of this fiscal year, projects will be underway to serve 264 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities - 60 per cent of the waitlist.

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For more information, contact:

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