By Derek Cornet

Non-profit organization seeks license to open respite care home

Jun 13, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Local non-profit Overflow Ministries is working to secure a license to open a respite care home for children with high medical needs.

Over the last few weeks, board members of the faith-based group have had discussions with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services about what requirements they need to meet in order to acquire the license. That’s according to Sheldon Merriman, who said they plan to open a care facility similar to Hope’s Home in Prince Albert, which includes on-site nursing staff.  

“It doesn’t have to be super complex,” Merriman said. “All these kids need is a wheelchair-accessible home with the proper staff and management.”

Merriman said Overflow Ministries was born about eight years ago from a desire to create positive change in the community. He said the group’s members quickly noticed the need for respite care and have been working towards it since the group’s inception. Merriman also has experience caring for children with high medical needs and he said the demand is increasing in northern Saskatchewan.

The care home would be available to residents as an alternative to surrendering minors to Social Services, Merriman said. Sometimes families with children who have high needs become exhausted, he said, and the parents or caregivers just need a short break. Clients could stay at the facility for a day, weeks, or months at a time, he said.

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“We have people in our community and different agencies that don’t see there is a need, so nobody has ever approached us to get it off the ground,” Merriman said. “This keeps families together and gives them the services they need.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno