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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13th, 2005
WALL
LOBBIES GOVERNMENT FOR ADDITIONAL
GROUP HOME
SPACES
Swift Current MLA Brad Wall launched a petition
drive today calling on the provincial government to provide funding
for additional group home services in Swift Current.
“My office has received an increasing number of
calls and letters from concerned constituents as it becomes more
apparent that there is a greater need for residential services in
our community for people with long-term disabilities,” said Wall.
Wall has written to the Minister for Community
Resources & Employment (Social Services) on two separate occasions
in the past twelve months lobbying for additional group home spaces,
and met in December with local officials from various agencies about
the shortage.
Swift Current has only one group home
(Southwest Homes) with five spaces offering full-time support and
one respite bed. At a recent meeting, it was determined that there
will be at least ten individuals seeking group home support within
the next five years. Additionally, there have been situations where
persons with disabilities have had to leave Swift Current because of
a lack of group home spaces.
“The need for appropriate services and
facilities for people with disabilities is great,” said Wall. “We
need to send a strong message to the provincial government that
additional group home spaces are very much in need in Swift Current
and area.”
The petitions will be available for signing at
the Swift Current Constituency office and other locations throughout
the area, and will be presented to the government during the Spring
Sitting of the Legislature.
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