A new service is now available for individuals and service providers in South East Saskatchewan. Crisis Prevention & Support Programs can be accessed by individuals with varying abilities and the service providers that support them. The South East Crisis Prevention & Support Team is associated with the Provincial Crisis Support Network. All services are funded by Community Living Service Delivery and the Ministry of Social Services.
The Regional Crisis Prevention and Support Programs provide support for individuals with varying abilities, who exhibit on-going severe challenging behaviours. Support will include prevention, education and outreach services in order to support individuals in their current residential or day program setting.
"This support program will help prevent some of our most vulnerable citizens from having to go through the trauma associated with displacement while furthering the education and skills of our partners who provide these important services," Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit on behalf of Social Services Minister June Draude said.
The programs will benefit individuals with varying abilities. Prevention and education services in the forms of workshops and sessions will be available in the community that will assist in preventing crisis. Strategies can be developed to prevent a crisis from occurring again. Approved Private Home Service providers and community-based organizations will benefit from the additional support before, during, and after a crisis. The best possible environment can be offered to individuals with varying abilities when supports are in place to prevent crisis through education and training as well as plans and behavior supports if a crisis does occur.
"We are very pleased to deliver this important program to people of varying abilities and those who support and care for them," Yorkton Regional Director of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council John Denysek said. "The education, prevention and outreach services provided will make a real difference in the lives of everyone involved."
The Saskatchewan Abilities Council is a proud member of SARC. Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres (SARC) is a non-profit association representing community-based organizations that provide residential, developmental, and employment supports/services to thousands of individuals with disabilities. SARC Members are located in every corner of this province and employ more than 2,000 people. SARC provides a variety of supports to its Members so that they can provide a quality service to persons with disabilities. Other SARC members in the region that will benefit from this service include: Weyburn Group Home Society, Weyburn Wor-Kin Shop Corporation, Estevan Diversified Services Inc. and Redvers Activity Centre. Several individuals and organizations will be impacted by this new program in a positive way.
Crisis prevention and intervention services are a necessary component of the continuum of community-based services for people with varying abilities. The intent of the Crisis Prevention and Support Programs is to augment, not duplicate, the community's existing resources while filling a gap in the service continuum.
For more information contact Cheryl Minke at cminke@abilitiescouncil.sk.ca.
