GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF SERVICES FOR SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger today announced measures to provide additional support for sexually exploited children and youth, while providing his preliminary response to recommendations from the Children's Advocate and Provincial Auditor.

"Our focus will always be to ensure the protection, safety and well-being of children in need," Belanger said. "In moving forward, we remain committed to the 2001 recommendations of the All-Party Committee on the sexual exploitation of children and youth."

Belanger outlined an expanded, multi-faceted approach, to address the needs of young people who require special care and treatment services. The new service delivery model integrates the services of Ranch Ehrlo, a leading child welfare agency, to provide assessment and stabilization services to sexually exploited children and youth, effective November 15.

"I am committed to finding solutions that are in the best interest of these children," Belanger said. "The involvement of Ranch Ehrlo is an excellent addition to our work to address sexual exploitation. We appreciate the Ranch's expertise and know it will help us to ensure successful delivery of the services these children need and deserve."

Belanger also outlined further expansion of services through $350,000 in funding to community-based organizations already providing outreach programs to sexually exploited children and youth in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

"I want to continue the progress we have made," Belanger said. "This is not easy work. Sexual exploitation of children and youth is not a simple matter to address. We need to find solutions to the issues these children are facing. We need programs and services that work and show all children how important they are."

The Minister also emphasized the government's continued commitment to working with First Nations to ensure program alignment with cultural needs and values.

"With respect to Oyate and our partnership with the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, there has been a sincere effort to move forward on the recommendations of both the Provincial Auditor and the Children's Advocate over the past 60 days," Belanger said. "I want to be clear that the safe house will not re-open its doors until all recommendations have been met. In the interim, I have reviewed the progress to date, and am satisfied that we have a collaborative partnership and a fundamental change to the way services will be provided to these vulnerable children and youth."

This fundamental change means a new transitional care model for the safe house that focuses on the transitional care needed so the children can return back to their families and communities once it is deemed safe for them to do so. Over the past three years, Oyate had provided assessment and stabilization services, as well as residential care. When it does re-open, Oyate will focus solely on the required follow-up transitional care the children need, after their time in assessment and stabilization. To assist with the development of this new transitional care program, Ranch Ehrlo has also offered to provide mentoring and support to Oyate staff.

Progress includes:

• two department staff on the safe house Board as liaison members;

• two additional department staff to act as consultants to the safe house Board regarding the development and implementation of the new transitional care program, as well as the development of financial operating standards and procedures;

• the development of a plan to implement each of the Auditor's and Advocate's recommendations; and

• the establishment of a Program Development Committee to advise the Board. Members of the Program Development Committee will initially include: a First Nations Elder; Experiential Youth (youth who has had experience with sexual exploitation); a Community Resources representative; and a Ranch Ehrlo representative.

Belanger described the new operational model as focusing on the transitional care needed so the children can return back to their families and communities once it is deemed safe for them to do so. Over the past three years, Oyate had provided assessment and stabilization services, as well as residential care. When it does re-open, Oyate will focus solely on the required follow-up transitional care the children need, after their time at Ranch Ehrlo. To assist with the development of this new transitional care program, Ranch Ehrlo has also offered to provide mentoring and support to Oyate staff.

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For More Information, Contact:

Lindy McIntyre Community Resources Regina Phone: 306-787-0916 Email: lmcintyre@cr.gov.sk.ca