Waitlist Initiative Completed - Government Fulfills Commitment to Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities

Released on April 22, 2013

The Government of Saskatchewan has fulfilled its multi-year commitment to address the waitlist of 440 people with intellectual disabilities that required specialized, residential, and/or day programs to meet their needs.  In addition to serving all 440 people on the list, another 215 Community Living clients beyond the original waitlist have been served.  The initiative, launched in 2008, represents the largest investment in Saskatchewan history in support of people with intellectual disabilities, at a total of $62.5 million.

“This is a milestone day for every one of the 440 people on the original wait list, and the rest of our province as well,” Premier Brad Wall said.  “I am very pleased to announce that services are now in place, or in development, for every one of the people on the list.  It is our government’s goal to make Saskatchewan the best place to live in Canada for people with disabilities, and this is another step toward that goal.”

The Community Living Waitlist Initiative involved funding for new, expanded, or existing services in 41 communities across the province, and funding for almost 500 new staff positions in community-based organizations (CBOs).  The initiative was supported by partnerships with the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC), Saskatchewan Approved Private Service Homes (APSH) Inc., Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and dozens of individual CBOs.

“SARC is very proud to have played a supporting role in the waitlist initiative through our four-person team assisting SARC Member Agencies to expand their services,” SARC’s Executive Director Amy McNeil said.  “The Waitlist Initiative was a wonderful example of the partnership between the Ministry of Social Services and SARC.  It is evidence of what can be achieved when the Government of Saskatchewan, SARC Member Agencies, and SARC collaborate to work toward a common goal – creating community capacity to provide individuals with options to meet their needs now and into the future.”

The initiative was multi-faceted, including government investments in new capital for 75 new group homes and service expansion, including the addition of more than 1,000 weekly hours of supported independent living.  The government has also invested in a new day program funding standard, enhancements to support approved private service homes, complex needs programming and specialized supports and funding to help CBOs meet ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.

“We were honoured to have played a role in this partnership to benefit people with intellectual disabilities in our community, and our province,” Estevan Diversified Services Executive Director Carol Cundall said.  “I’m proud to say we were part of a team that helped develop solutions that enabled everyone on the waitlist to be supported in their own communities.

“When the government announced the 440 waitlist initiative, I was given hope for my son’s future,” a parent of an individual served by the initiative, and a board member of Prairie Branches Enterprise Inc. of northwest Saskatchewan Rosemary Fenrich said.  “The fact that the government built group homes for rural CBOs like Prairie Branches, has allowed my son to move out into his own home within a short distance from our town.  This alleviates stress and anxiety not only for my son, but for our family as it enables us to visit him and be there for him as needed.”

In 2012, the province invested $17 million to support front-line workers at agencies that provide critical services for people with intellectual disabilities and children at risk.  In addition, the Province invested $1.8 million in 2012 to increase level of care rates at Approved Private Service Homes that provide services for Community Living clients.
 
The 2013-14 provincial budget includes $4.2 million in operational funding to finalize the waitlist commitments.  The government will also provide $1.2 million in operating funds and $1.0 million in capital funding to provide services for individuals with emerging needs during 2013-14.

“The completion of the waitlist initiative is just one example of our commitment to ensuring Saskatchewan is the best place to live for people with disabilities,” Wall said.  “And of course, we couldn’t possibly reach that goal without the support of our many partners across the province.  So, to them, and on behalf of everyone who will benefit from this initiative, I say thank you.  Together, we make a difference!”

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For more information, contact:

Pete Paczko
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: pete.paczko@gov.sk.ca