Community-based organizations (CBOs) augment government programs by providing important services in communities throughout the province. All Saskatchewan CBOs receive a three percent increase in the 2024-25 Budget.
Budget highlights include:
Supporting Community-Based Service Providers
- $13.7 - million increase for Ministry of Social Services community-based service providers, including:
- $7.8 million for service providers that support people with intellectual disabilities;
- $5 million for service providers supporting at-risk children, youth and families in their homes and communities; and
- $875,000 for approved private service homes that care for people with intellectual disabilities
Community Supports for Persons with Disabilities
- $10.4-million increase to support the changing service needs of current clients with intellectual disabilities, and the delivery of residential and day programs to new clients.
- $18.0-million increase to support the changing service needs of current clients with intellectual disabilities, delivery of residential and day programs to new clients and construction of new group homes and one safety net home.
- $7.6-million investment will plan and construct 10 new group homes and one assessment and stabilization home. The ministry will also develop a new quality assurance team to strengthen relationships and oversight of homes supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.
- $4-million increase to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Individualized Funding Program to continue to meet the needs of children and their families.
- $160,000 funding commitment to partner with the Rick Hansen Foundation to increase awareness on common accessibility barriers that persons with disabilities experience.
- A new Quality Assurance Unit will be established to strengthen relationships and oversight of homes supporting adults with an intellectual disability.
Community Supports for Child and Family Programs
- $2.7-million increase to support additional residential care options for children and youth with complex behavioural needs or acute, chronic medical and developmental needs, enabling them to remain in their home communities. This includes:
- $1.8 million to support growing needs for private treatment; and
- $950,000 to expand group home services for children and youth, and provide eight new spaces.
- Increase of $1.4 million to community-based organizations, libraries and other education sector groups that provide early years outreach, life skills development and literacy programming.
- $500,000 increase to assist youth transitioning from care to access housing, employment and educational opportunities, as recommended by Youth Advisory Teams.
- $500,000 increase in funding to Mobile Crisis Services to support critical after-hours services in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
- $375,000 increase to expand intensive in-home services for at-risk families outside of Regina and Saskatoon to communities where they do not currently exist.
- $135,000 increase to support the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network to expand supports.