The Government of Saskatchewan has approved more than $1.5 million in funding for five projects that will make a positive difference in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Regina, Melfort and across Saskatchewan.
More than $1.1 million will fund the development of four new group homes -- three in Regina (one will replace an existing rental unit) and one in Melfort. In addition, the Saskatchewan Abilities Council will receive nearly $400,000 for the completion of about 2,100 support assessments for people with intellectual disabilities who attend Ministry-funded day programs.
The funding is part of the province's four-year, $76.9 million commitment to eliminate the waitlist of 440 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities who require residential, day and specialized programs that meet their assessed needs.
"Our government continues to make tremendous progress on our promise to eliminate the waitlist," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "Today's announcement brings the number of new group homes for people with intellectual disabilities that have been approved as part of the waitlist initiative to 36. In addition, the day-program support assessments to be completed by the Saskatchewan Abilities Council are an important step in our overall $7.7 million commitment to develop a needs-based funding model for day programs serving Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities."
"The Saskatchewan Abilities Council is pleased to partner with the province to help ensure that people with intellectual disabilities have access to enhanced day-program services that meet their needs," Saskatchewan Abilities Council Executive Director Ian Wilkinson said. "Assessing the day-program needs of more than 2,000 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities will provide the foundation to move ahead on this important initiative."
Details of the infrastructure portion of today's announcement are as follows: Clare Parker Homes Inc. will receive up to $250,000for a group home in Regina to provide residential services for four people who are on the waitlist.
Creative Options Regina Inc. will receive up to $500,000 to purchase two homes in Regina to provide new residential services for five people, two of whom are on the waitlist. One home will replace a home that is currently 小蓝视频 rented.
Plus Industries Inc. will receive up to $400,000 to build a group home and an enhanced supported living home in Melfort to provide residential services for eight people, seven of whom are on the waitlist.The province-wide, $76.9 million waitlist initiative, announced in October 2008, is 小蓝视频 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.
To date, services for 308 individuals - or 70 per cent of the waitlist - are underway or are in development with community-based organizations across Saskatchewan.
