NEW GROUP HOME AND DAY PROGRAM FACILITY OPEN NEAR ABERDEEN

A new ten-space group home and fifteen-space day program facility for people with intellectual disabilities officially opened today near Aberdeen.

The project was made possible by a partnership between Farm in the Dell Inc. (Saskatchewan), a community-based organization (CBO), and the Ministry of Social Services, which provided capital funding of $500,000 to go toward the construction costs.

"We congratulate Farm in the Dell of Saskatchewan for spearheading the completion of this new group home and day program facility for people with intellectual disabilities in the Aberdeen area," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "Community-based organizations such as Farm in the Dell play a valuable role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities and enhancing their quality of life."

In addition to the capital funding, Social Services will also provide more than $750,000 in annualized funding to Farm in the Dell in 2011-12 for the operation of the group home and day program facility.

The new 4,500-square-foot home and 2,000-square-foot day program facility are situated on 80 acres of land, seven kilometres from the town of Aberdeen.

"Our rural setting offers people with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience and participate in a traditional farming lifestyle, enhancing their quality of life," Farm in the Dell co-Executive Director Lynette Zacharias said. "We are thrilled with the generous financial support that the Government of Saskatchewan, through the Ministry of Social Services, provided to this important initiative."

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