A new group home in Beauval is aiming to keep children in care closer to their culture and community.
The five-space home (STCBH) was originally opened during the pandemic to provide isolation spaces for children with Covid-19.
Now the home will be used to offer an immediate placement option in the community for children who cannot remain safely at home while longer-term options are identified.
“Access to culture, traditional teachings and ceremonies has been linked to better outcomes, which is why we are working to increase placement options in northern Saskatchewan so children entering care can remain in their home community wherever possible,” Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said in a media release.
This is the second home of its type in Beauval with the first STCBH opened in November 2019.
“This is a great opportunity for local people to become employed in an area where we are able to keep northern children in the north where our culture, traditions and kinship run deep even between communities,” Northern Village of Beauval Mayor Nick Daigneault said.
The provincial government is providing over $728,000 in annual funding for the new group home. This brings the total yearly funding to the two group homes to $1.4 million.