Released on February 26, 1997
Parents in need of respite from caring for their disabled child nowhave a new Regina service to assist them in accessing help in caring
for their child. Respite care is a planned break so parents can take
some time for themselves.
Saskatchewan Social Services, Community Living Division; Regina Health
District, Client Assessment Services and the Saskatchewan and Regina
Associations for Community Living have combined resources and developed
a registry of respite service options and care givers in the Regina
area. A community respite co-ordinator has been hired to administer
the registry. The $31,000 project has been cost-shared equally by the
partners.
"I am very pleased that we have been able to work in partnership to
develop such an important resource," said Social Services Minister
Lorne Calvert. "Services like this are vitally important to the
families of the physically and intellectually disabled as well as to
these individuals themselves. This service is a real asset to the
community."
The community respite co-ordinator provides the three partner agencies
with a list of people who are interested in, and available to, provide
family respite care on a privately arranged basis.
"The Regina Respite Registry is an important community-based initiative
in providing families with much needed support," said Margaret Fern,
vice-chair of the Regina Health District. "The registry is important
not only in providing parents with respite care for their children, but
also in helping them to keep the family unit healthy."
"We believe the Regina Respite Registry project will be a valuable
support to ensure the health and well-being of families who have a son
or daughter with a disability," said Greg Plosz, president of the
Saskatchewan Association of Community Living. "I see a lot of families
who really struggle day to day. Family support like this will make a
positive difference."
In most cases parents with a disabled child do not get time away,
because their child often needs continual care and attention. Respite
can be provided for a few hours, an evening or while the parents take a
holiday.
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For more information, contact:
Virginia Wilkinson John Coflin
Social Services Executive Director
Regina Regina Association for Community Living
Phone: (306) 787-0916 Phone: (306) 586-7988
Edna Steckhan
Director, Client Assessment Services
Regina Health District
Phone: (306) 766-7150