People with intellectual disabilities in Yorkton are benefiting from enhanced day-program services and supports, following the official reopening today by the Saskatchewan Abilities Council of renovated day-program facilities in that community.
"The province is pleased to have partnered with the Saskatchewan Abilities Council on this important initiative on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities in Yorkton and area," Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said on behalf of Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer. "We applaud the many accomplishments of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council in the development and enhancement of quality services that respond to the needs of people with disabilities in Yorkton and in many other communities across our province."
The Government of Saskatchewan provided one-time capital funding of $400,000 to the Saskatchewan Abilities Council to assist in the $750,000 renovation of that organization's day-program facilities in Yorkton for people with intellectual disabilities. 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.The Saskatchewan Abilities Council also received significant funding from the Tillman Endowment Fund for the renovation project.
"The Saskatchewan Abilities Council currently serves about 150 people with intellectual disabilities in Yorkton and area through various programs offered by our Yorkton Branch, including training centre, activity centre, transition to employment and community-based day programs," Saskatchewan Abilities Council Regional Director (Yorkton Branch) John Denysek said. "Thanks to the generous financial support of the province and the Tillman Endowment Fund, more people with intellectual disabilities in Yorkton, including those with higher needs, are now being served and supported by our Yorkton Branch through quality day programming."
The province-wide, $76.9 million waitlist initiative, announced by Harpauer in October 2008, is being 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 - have been initiated or are under development with community-based organizations across Saskatchewan.
