Released on August 26, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan today announced its acceptance of all 14 recommendations of the Valley View Centre (VVC) Transition Steering Committee to guide the plan to move individuals from the aging Moose Jaw institution into community-based services by 2016.
“I want to thank the members of the Transition Steering Committee for their comprehensive research and thoughtful approach to their final report,” Social Services Minister June Draude said. “By accepting their recommendations, we are putting the people living at Valley View first – something we promised to do at the start of this process, and something that we will continue to do in the months and years to come.”
When Valley View Centre was built in 1955, large institutions represented the standard of care for people with intellectual disabilities. Now, the centre is one of the few remaining institutions of its kind in Canada, as best practices internationally have moved to community-based care.
While making the announcement in Moose Jaw, Minister Draude, along with Valley View Centre Family Group Co-Chair June Avivi and Saskatchewan Association for Community Living President Gloria Mahussier, broke ground for a new residence to be operated by the Ministry of Social Services. The residence will provide assessment and short-term stabilization supports as well as supports for individuals transitioning to their future home.
Expanding and enhancing provincial crisis prevention and support service capacity is one of the Transition Steering Committee’s recommendations and a critical element in the successful transition of Valley View residents to community-based services.
“This residence will be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan to offer both assessment stabilization and transitional supports,” Draude said. “It will help to strengthen existing community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities from around the province, including individuals living at Valley View Centre. This represents another important step toward making our province the best place to live in Canada for people with disabilities.”
The ministry currently supports more than 4,000 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities.
“I praise the Government of Saskatchewan’s decision to accept the Committee’s 14 recommendations,” Avivi said. “Now the work of planning for every individual living at Valley View Centre and the development of new homes and services can proceed in earnest. This ‘made in Saskatchewan’ transition plan is unique in that families, advocacy representatives and government are working as a team to plan with the individuals living at VVC. I am particularly honoured to participate in the groundbreaking for this new residence, which will strengthen the safety net for people with intellectual disabilities – something Valley View families have identified as a priority.”
“I commend the Government of Saskatchewan’s decision to accept all 14 of the Transition Steering Committee’s recommendations,” Mahussier said. “The acceptance of the 14 recommendations signifies the Government’s commitment to ensure that all individuals living at VVC will continue to have access to ancillary services in the community they choose to be their future home. By accepting the 14 recommendations, the province is also reinforcing their commitment to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
With the acceptance of the committee’s recommendations, person-centred planning will continue with each person living at Valley View and his or her family and/or supporters. These plans will identify the unique needs and supports required for each individual.
An action plan is being created and implementation teams are being formed to guide the planning and development of new homes and services, based on the Transition Steering Committee’s recommendations.
The Transition Steering Committee was established in February 2012 and is made up of representatives of the Valley View Centre Family Group, the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living and the Ministry of Social Services. The committee will remain intact and serve as the governance committee overseeing the transition of individuals living at Valley View Centre to new services.
The Transition Steering Committee’s final report can be found at www.gov.sk.ca or www.sacl.org.
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For more information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479
Bonnie Cherewyk
Saskatchewan Association for Community Living
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-955-3344
Email: bonnie.cherewyk@sacl.org