(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Social Services Pilot Project

Major Dean: Early stages pilot project could be helpful in Prince Albert

Apr 29, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Reinforcements are on the way for some community organizations in larger centres in Saskatchewan, but they’re not coming to Prince Albert just yet.

As part of the provincial budget, the Ministry of Social Services has dedicated $656,000 to placing up to ten staff in community-based organizations. The province tried the mobile outreach initiative with groups like the YWCA and Salvation Army in Regina, and advocates say they’d eventually like to see it here, as well.

“We see the addictions, we see the mental health,” said Major Ed Dean with the Salvation Army in Prince Albert. “Those that are on the streets, many of them have more than one issue. It’s not just a house. If they have the supports, but do they know how to get the supports?”

Help from the Ministry of Social Services would certainly be welcome, said Dean, as most local organizations are being, to some degree, overwhelmed.

“I don’t know of a treatment program in this province or in this country that has beds open,” Dean said. “It’s a challenge.”

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Perhaps the biggest area of helpfulness would be the presence of qualified staff. Several community organizations have said finding staff capable of providing help to people in need is one of the hardest parts of running a community group at the moment.

“Finding qualified staff to work and understand complex needs… what are the deep-rooted foundations that are causing the addictions, the mental health and homelessness?” said Dean. “What pain is being masked from the past that has not been dealt with?”

The Ministry of Social Services responded via email to a request for more information, saying the program was relatively new and they could not yet share more specific details. They did not, however, rule out bringing it to other communities in the future.

“The pilot was announced as part of the 2023-24 budget and will be expanded to additional communities as we work with our partners to assess opportunities for this initiative,” said Julene Restall, Executive Director with Income Assistance Service Delivery with the Ministry of Social Services. “This work is underway and so we do not have more specifics to share at this time.”

According to a release from the provincial government, the mobile workforce arose from conversations with community-based organizations. It will “help clients with complex needs receive support in navigating and understanding programs and services that are available to them.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP