NEW GROUP HOME FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OPENS IN ÎLE-À-LA-CROSSE

A new group home and day program facility for people with intellectual disabilities officially opened today in Île-à-la-Crosse.

The project is a partnership between Sakitawak Group Home, Inc., a community-based organization (CBO), and the Ministry of Social Services, which provided capital funding of $540,000 toward the construction costs.

"We applaud the tremendous vision and commitment of the board of directors and staff of Sakitawak Group Home, Inc. for completing this project on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Île-à-la-Crosse and area," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "Community-based organizations such as Sakitawak play a valuable role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to be included in their communities."

The new group home will serve five people with intellectual disabilities, and the day program will have the capacity to serve both the group home residents, as well as others from the community. It is the first group home north of Meadow Lake for people with intellectual disabilities to be funded by the Ministry of Social Services.

"Our community is tremendously proud of this new group home, which will offer both residential and day program services to people with intellectual disabilities in Île-à-la-Crosse and area," Île-à-la-Crosse Mayor and Sakitawak Chair Duane Favel said. "We are thrilled with the generous financial support provided to this project by the Government of Saskatchewan through the Ministry of Social Services."

The capital funding allocated to this project is part of the provincial government's four-year, $76.9 million commitment to eliminate the waitlist of 440 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities who require programs and services.

First announced in October 2008, the $76.9 million waitlist initiative includes $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. It is the largest investment in Saskatchewan history to support people with intellectual disabilities. By the end of 2011-12, services for 373 people - or 85 per cent of the waitlist - will be in place or in development with CBOs across Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

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