SASKATCHEWAN SOCIAL SERVICES, SACL AND SARC AGREE TO PARTNER

Released on March 14, 1997

Social Services Minister Lorne Calvert, Saskatchewan Association for
Community Living (SACL) president Greg Plosz and Saskatchewan
Association for Rehabilitation Centres (SARC) president Carl
Kwiatkowski today announced they have signed an agreement to work
together on common issues and programs for people who are
intellectually disabled.

"This is a very special day for all of us here today and for the
individuals we all work to assist," Calvert said. "It is a real
testament to the agencies and individuals involved in this agreement,
that such a strong partnership has been developed."

The agreement affirms that SACL, SARC and Saskatchewan Social Services
will work together on issues of mutual concern. The three parties have
agreed to:

work together on strategic plans;

develop stronger partnerships between and among agencies and
organizations;

to identify and co-operate on a number of specific programs and
projects of mutual benefit;

to foster increased co-operation and co-ordination; and

to develop a common agenda for ongoing discussion.

"This agreement is an affirmation of the tremendous respect and value
that the partners place on each others' roles and responsibilities,"
Kwiatkowski said.

"There is a lot of work to be done to make sure people with
intellectual disabilities are treated fairly and receive the
opportunities they require to grow and develop," Plosz said. "By
pooling our ideas and suggestions and by working together in creative
ways toward the goals we have in common, the people we support in
Saskatchewan can only benefit."

"I think across all sectors in this province we are re-awakening to the
understanding that by working together in partnership with communities,
agencies and individuals, we do a better job of planning, building,
expanding and targeting programs and services for our neighbours, our
communities and ourselves," Calvert said.


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For more information, contact:

Virginia Wilkinson Karen Rongve
Social Services Executive Director
Regina SACL
Phone: (306) 787-0916 Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 955-3344

Dale Botting
Executive Director
SARC
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 933-0616