NEW HOME BENEFITS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OSLER

Released on September 8, 2006

Four people with intellectual disabilities in Osler are living more independently in a new group home thanks to an innovative team effort by Community Resources, the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority and Sunshine Housing Inc. A provincial investment of $207,360 and $118,440 from the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority were provided to build the new facility and to deliver supports to the residents.

"It is rewarding to see what can happen when governments, agencies, communities and families work together to improve quality of life for people who want to live as independently as possible in the community," Community Resources Minister Buckley Belanger said. "We have the families to thank for initiating this unique arrangement, which will serve as a model of excellence for others and take us closer to our vision of a province where everyone has opportunities for independence and inclusion in their communities."

"We are very happy to be a part of this unique partnership that will bring a new-found independence to the lives of four permanent residents at Sunshine group home in Osler," Saskatoon Health Region Vice-Chair Carol Teichrob said. "Through this partnership of Community Resources, Sunshine Housing and Saskatoon Health Region, the dream of many to see this group home become a reality has today come true."

"We are so pleased to see the outcome of our work over the last two years," Sunshine Housing Board Chair Mandy Osmond said. "When the families approached Sunshine to provide complex care services considered to be beyond the mandate of existing residential group homes, our board of directors willingly accepted the challenge. We are now thrilled and excited to share this accomplishment with so many people who worked diligently to make this home a reality."

The new facility accommodates both the physical and high level health care needs of all four individuals living in the home and promots community inclusion. The new home also has space to provide respite care for one additional high-needs person with disabilities.

Since release of the Disability Action Plan in June 2001, the Saskatchewan government has invested more than $37 million, including $12 million this year, in new funding to support people with disabilities.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Miller Community Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-0531	Kerrilyn Voigt Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386
Dianne Ratzlaff Sunshine Housing Inc. Osler Phone: (306) 225-4477