Province Commits $263.3 Million for Social Services CBOs

Released on April 8, 2015

The Ministry of Social Services today announced $263.3 million in funding in the 2015-16 Budget for community-based organizations (CBOs) that assist persons with disabilities, vulnerable men, women and children, people struggling with homelessness and other Saskatchewan people in need. Events will be held in many communities across Saskatchewan throughout the month of April to highlight and celebrate the good work being done by these organizations.

"Community-based organizations play a vital role in serving the most vulnerable citizens in our province," Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer said. “Our government is pleased to continue our valued partnerships with these organizations, helping them to support people in need in their communities to keep Saskatchewan strong.”

“We are able to help prevent at-risk children from coming into care and keep families together thanks to the generous support of this government,” Native Co-ordinating Council Program Director Sandra Fontaine said. “We also want to thank the province for working with us in true partnership to make a difference in the lives of countless Prince Albert families.”

Some highlights of the recent CBO allocations by the Ministry of Social Services include:

Central Urban Métis Federation, Saskatoon – $445,000 (*$4.5 million);
Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (SACL), Saskatoon – $914,000;
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Regina - $353,000;
The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc., Saskatoon - $1.5 million;
Children North Early Intervention Program Inc., La Ronge - $274,000;
Native Co-ordinating Council, Prince Albert - $475,000 (*$5.8 million);
Saskatchewan First Nations Family and Community Institute Inc., Saskatoon - $472,000;
Saskatchewan Foster Families Association, Saskatoon - $919,000 (*$3.9 million);
Aboriginal Family Service Centre, Regina - $401,000 (*$1.45 million);
Ranch Ehrlo Society, Pilot Butte - $264,000 (*$4.3 million);
YWCA Regina - $932,000 (*$3.58 million); and
Canadian Red Cross, Regina – $112,000.

*The amounts indicated above are, in some cases, part of a larger contract commitment the Government of Saskatchewan has with the CBO.

“The Government of Saskatchewan’s renewed funding will benefit people who don’t have anywhere else to go,” Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. Executive Director Don Windels said. “These dollars will allow our organization to continue providing our people with opportunities to interact with our staff and volunteers, to check out job opportunities and get employment counselling – all to help them get off the street.”

“SACL is so very thankful to the Government of Saskatchewan for their continued funding of our organization,” SACL Executive Director Kevin McTavish said. “This will allow our organization to continue delivering much-needed support to people with intellectual disabilities, so that they can be included in their community and live the life they choose.”

“We truly appreciate the Government of Saskatchewan’s renewed financial commitment to our organization announced today,” Saskatchewan Foster Families Association Executive Director Deb Davies said. “These funds will help open even more hearts and homes to vulnerable children across the province.”

The Ministry of Social Services provides funding to and works collaboratively with more than 200 CBOs across Saskatchewan and has more than 700 CBO contract agreements. An additional $2.3 million in funding for 2015-16 brings the overall general increases provided to CBOs for salary and operating costs to almost $50 million since 2007. Following input received from community organizations at the 2008 CBO summits, many of the province's human-services CBOs now operate with the security of multi-year funding agreements.

The Ministry of Social Services’ CBO funding investment indicated above does not include fee for service arrangements.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-519-7835

Province Commits $263.3 Million for Social Services CBOs

We need your feedback to improve saskatchewan.ca. Help us improve