The Government of Saskatchewan continues to deliver on its four-year, $76.9 million commitment to eliminate the waitlist of 440 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities who require programs and services, following approval of the latest instalment of $5.4 million in funding under this initiative.
To date, services for 316 individuals - or 72 per cent of the waitlist - have been initiated or are under development with community-based organizations across Saskatchewan. With this new $5.4 million capital investment, a minimum of 343 people - or 78 per cent of individuals on the waitlist - will be served in 2011-12.
"Following through on this historic commitment to people with intellectual disabilities and their families is one of our government's priorities," Social Services Minister June Draude said. "This latest funding will help ensure that waitlist projects for people with intellectual disabilities proceed in various communities across Saskatchewan in the months ahead."
Draude announced the latest funding during a visit to Creative Options Regina Inc., one of the 50 community-based organizations in 37 communities that has received funding so far as part of the four-year waitlist initiative.
"As one of the many CBOs that have partnered with the province on the waitlist initiative, our board members, staff and volunteers have seen first-hand the difference this commitment is making in the lives of Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities," Creative Options Executive Director Michael Lavis said. "Waitlist funding has enabled our organization to develop two new group homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Regina, provided the down payments for two other homes to replace rented facilities, and helped us expand our supported independent living and day programs."
The October 2008 announcement of the $76.9 million initiative included $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. It is the largest investment in Saskatchewan history to support people with intellectual disabilities.
Government today also announced $2.35 million for the development of an additional 69 child welfare spaces, including both group home and emergency receiving and response spaces.
