MOOSE JAW – CUPE 600-3 members are concerned that the report by Saskatchewan Association for Community Living and Valley View Centre Family Group, released to the Minister of Social Services on Friday, does not include the special relationship between the people who live at Valley View Centre and the people who provide their care.
“I am very disappointed that the report does not mention the importance of the extended family relationship between caregivers and residents of Valley View Centre,” says CUPE 600-3 President Jacalyn Luterbach. “The information missing from the report is that many of the families making the housing request for Moose Jaw also indicated a successful transition would include the current caregivers looking after their loved ones.”
Luterbach notes that the report downplays the critical involvement of staff in identifying individual needs and how to minimize the impact of transition.
CUPE 600–3 represents over 500 members employed at Valley View Centre plus additional staff in two government run group homes (in Moose Jaw and Prince Albert), regional Community Living Service Delivery offices and government services. The members provide residential and day program services to Valley View residents. These services include dietary, housekeeping, facilities maintenance and administration, lab services, dental, therapy, nursing care, as well as providing laundry services to the Five Hills Health Region. They also provide outreach support to those living in the community requiring respite and crisis care.
Valley View Centre is home for 198 people with intellectual disabilities and is an integral part of the Moose Jaw community.
For more information contact:
Lori Friars, 306-684-9084
Alex Lenko, CUPE National Representative, 306-570-4042