Released on January 23, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan today announced another step in transitioning people who are living at Moose Jaw’s Valley View Centre to the community.The Ministry of Social Services has issued a Request For Information (RFI) to gather information and innovative ideas on how to best serve individuals with intellectual disabilities within the community. To support the RFI, the ministry will hold public information sessions starting on January 29 in Moose Jaw.
“This is an exciting and important next step as we work to transition Valley View residents to community-based care,” Social Services Minister June Draude said. “One of our goals is to communicate the process broadly to all of our valued stakeholders, ensuring that everyone from residents’ families to potential providers understands this important next step in the process.”
“We’re excited about this next step in moving our loved ones from Valley View into their new homes,” Valley View Centre Family Group Co-Chair June Avivi said. “Through the person-centred planning process, we are identifying the unique needs of each individual, and through these public forums, we will ensure that those needs are met in the community. This is all part of the made-in-Saskatchewan approach the Steering Committee recommended in our final report, and we are pleased to see the Government responding to our recommendations.”
“This is all part of the made-in-Saskatchewan approach the Steering Committee recommended in our final report, and we are pleased to see the Government responding to our recommendations,” Family Group Co-Chair Doug Conn said.
Throughout January and February, Social Services will host additional
community forums across the province to provide information on and generate interest in this public call for a RFI.
Dates and locations for the public forums are:
- January 29, 2014 – Moose Jaw - Valley View Centre 2-5 pm and 6-9 pm
- January 30, 2014 – Regina - DoubleTree by Hilton 2-5 pm
- February 5, 2014 – Prince Albert - Prince Albert Inn 2-5 pm
- February 6, 2014 – Saskatoon - Saskatoon Inn 2-5 pm
Additional Information about the Valley View Centre Transition:
When Valley View Centre was built in 1955, large institutions represented the standard of care for people with intellectual disabilities. Now, the centre is one of the few remaining institutions of its kind in Canada, as best practices internationally have moved to community-based care. In 2012, the ministry announced that it would be closing the centre and transitioning those in their care to community care providers.
A Transition Steering Committee was established in February 2012 and is made up of representatives of the Valley View Centre Family Group, the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living and the Ministry of Social Services. The committee remains intact and serves as the governance committee overseeing the transition of individuals living at Valley View Centre to new services.
The planning and development of new homes and services will be guided by the Transition Steering Committee’s recommendations. The Transition Steering Committee’s final report can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca or www.sacl.org.
Person-centred planning will continue with each person living at Valley View and his or her family and/or supporters. These plans will identify the unique needs and supports required for each individual.
This made-in-Saskatchewan transition plan is unique in that families, advocacy representatives and government are working as a team to plan with the individuals living at Valley View Centre.
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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479