The last few residents of Valley View Centre in Moose Jaw have been officially moved out of the building, marking the end of institutionalized-style living for people with intellectual disabilities in Saskatchewan.
The handful of residents still living at the centre were moved out on Tuesday, according to a provincial government news release.
There were 153 adults with intellectual disabilities who have now been transitioned to community-based homes across the province. Thirty-six new group homes have been purchased, renovated ore built to accommodate these adults. Two new “safety net homes” have been developed to respond to people who are in crisis and need additional services. A third home is being planned.
Since the closure of Valley View Centre was announced in 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan, Inclusion Saskatchewan and the Valley View Legacy Network have worked together to ensure the success and well-being of residents as they move into communities of their choice, the news released explained.
Every person who has been moved out of Valley View had a transition plan, where they and their families were invited to the table to make choices about their future, including where they wanted to live, with whom they wanted to live and how they were going to live. This person-centred approach put the residents and their support systems at the forefront of decision making.
This announcement has been seven years in the making through careful planning with each and every resident, their family members and support systems, Paul Merriman, minister of Social Services, said in a news release. He thanked Inclusion Saskatchewan, the Valley View Legacy Network and employees past and present who worked toward this particular day.
“Your dedication to putting residents first has made this a success,” he added.
The closure of Valley View Centre is a historic step forward for individuals with intellectual disabilities, said Gloria Mahussier, president of Inclusion Saskatchewan. Due to this Saskatchewan-made person-centred approach, all of the centre’s former residents are now living healthy, happy and secure lives in the communities of their choice. She thanked the partners on the transition team for their thoughtfulness, dedication, and passion over the years.
“On behalf of the Valley View Centre Legacy Network, I would like to thank former Minister June Draude, as well as our Valley View transition steering committee partners from the Ministry of Social Services and Inclusion Saskatchewan,” Doug Conn, chair of the Valley View Centre Legacy Network, said in the news release.
“Having a shared vision, the transition team worked hard to ensure that the fearful unknowns of the Valley View Centre closure were turned into a situation full of dreams, possibilities, and life in the community.
“I would also like to thank the residents and their families for trusting the late June Avivi’s leadership, and trusting the 14 recommendations developed by the steering committee that paved the way to a successful transition process.”
The closure of Valley View Centre supports the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy by encouraging inclusive communities through the creation of numerous residential and day program services for people with disabilities.
