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I would like to
take this opportunity to thank the many individuals who signed
petitions this spring calling for additional residential group homes
spaces in Swift Current for people with long-term disabilities.
The shortage of
group home spaces has been apparent for some time now to the
families who are actively searching for group home spaces for their
loved ones, and to the board and staff of Southwest Homes who work
diligently to provide as much assistance as possible given the
current resources available. Swift Current has only one group home
(Southwest Homes) with five spaces offering full-time support and
one respite bed. It was determined this past winter that there will
be at least ten individuals seeking group home support within the
next five years. There are many others who presently live
independently, or who reside in the care of elderly parents, or who
are forced to move away to another community where a group home
space is available.
As a result of
the hundreds upon hundreds of signatures collected on petitions
circulated throughout Swift Current, awareness of this issue has
heightened in recent months. I would like to thank each and every
person who took the time to assist with gathering signatures on
petitions and to those who signed the petitions. It was indeed an
honour as your MLA to rise nearly every day during the Spring
Sitting of the Legislature to present petitions on your behalf to
the provincial government acknowledging this as an important issue
in to the residents of Swift Current and area.
While there is
yet to be a new funding commitment towards additional residential
group home spaces, I am hopeful that there will be a favourable
response from the provincial government. At last indication to my
office, the Minister for Community Resources & Employment, Hon.
Joanne Crofford, stated that the Department is presently reviewing
all funding requests, including a comprehensive request for program
expansion by Southwest Homes in Swift Current. As the MLA for Swift
Current, I will continue to offer assistance I can in trying to
achieve this goal.
Once
again, thank you to everyone who has offered their support for
additional group home services in our community.
Sincerely,
Brad
Wall, MLA (Swift Current)
Leader
of the Official Opposition Saskatchewan Party
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