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• The Canadian Mental Health Association (Saskatchewan Division) Inc: A NEW WAY OF THINKING

  It is obvious from the statistics and lived experiences of those living with a mental

  illness that there needs to be a fundamental shift on how we provide and fund

  mental health services in our Province. Given the geographical separation of our

  communities and the diverse populations that we serve, incorporating a strategy

  that provides services at a community level will only help to empower and support

  those living with a mental illness.

  The purpose of this package is to assist those in the Province who are concerned about making improvements to our mental health system to effectively communicate with candidates and the general public.

  A New Way of Thinking – Election 2011
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• Provincial Election 2011 Questions for Candidates http://www.povertyfreesask.ca/

  Poverty Free Saskatchewan (PFS) is a network working toward poverty elimination. Our goal to reduce and eventually eliminate poverty in Saskatchewan will require involvement and commitment from all levels of government, business, community organizations and individuals.

  Many other provinces and regions have already implemented their own poverty reduction plans. We hope you will consider asking candidates some of these questions to highlight the importance of this issue in this election campaign.

  QUESTIONS:

  1. IF ELECTED, WILL YOU SUPPORT ENACTMENT OF A LAW THAT COMMITS THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE POVERTY ELIMINATION PROGRAM?

  2. ARE YOU PREPARED TO PRESS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY BY ENHANCING PROGRAMS WITHIN FEDERAL JURISDICTION (E.G. THE CANADIAN CHILD TAX BENEFIT, EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE)?

  3. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS HOUSING ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  4. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS INCOME SECURITY FOR EQUITY-SEEKING GROUPS AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  5. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  6. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS ENABLING AND

  REWARDING WORK AND PARTICIPATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  7. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS IMPROVING ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  8. HOW DO YOU AND YOUR PARTY PLAN TO ADDRESS PROMOTING HEALTH AND PREVENTING ILLNESS AS ESSENTIAL TO POVERTY ELIMINATION?

  Background Information

  Poverty is a multi-dimensional social problem that often includes issues

  concerning income, cost-of-living, health and social cohesion. Poverty affects a diverse group of persons in our communities and requires a comprehensive

  strategy by governments, business and community organizations to adequately address. The government-led component of such a plan must be cross-cutting and integrated, providing resources from all levels and departments within government to ensure that the problem of poverty is attacked from every angle.

  A poverty elimination plan should lay out overarching goals for the whole of the provincial government, and include the development of implementation plans within key ministries and collaboration at the federal level.

  To ensure that governments and other organizations are held to their

  commitments and that anti-poverty efforts survive successive governments,

  accountability is key. Measurement of performance, monitoring progress and

  reporting are fundamental to ensure the success of a poverty elimination

  program. Any successful plan to reduce or eliminate poverty must address its

  multi-faceted nature.
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) Program

  SaskDisability – Oct5-25

  Could you manage on $26 a day? What kind of life would you live on less than $800 a month? If you had to make the choice between your rent, food and medication, which would you choose? Unfortunately, decisions like these are routine for many people with disabilities in Saskatchewan, who live in poverty. A disability of any kind can eliminate or reduce an individual’s capacity to work, and for this reason people with disabilities often require financial support from government. People with disabilities struggle with the barriers imposed by their disability every day, and poverty is an added obstacle they should not need to face.

  The Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) Program was launched by the Government of Saskatchewan in the fall of 2009. At that time only a limited number of individuals with disabilities were enrolled on the program and there was no increase to the benefit rates for those individuals.  SAID operates independently from social assistance and is meant to be responsive to the unique needs of people with disabilities. With SAID, people with disabilities do not need to reconfirm their disability every year, and they are free from the stigma of receiving welfare. SAID shows promise as a program that will give people with disabilities more dignity. However, the program needs to be expanded to provide support for more people with disabilities. The government has projected a total  enrolment of 8,000 to 10,000 individuals on SAID, but present enrolment is under 3,000.

  The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) and its 38 member organizations are pleased with the long-term plans for the program, and the improvements that have been made since its inception. The Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Social Services have taken important and significant steps to improving living conditions in Saskatchewan for people with disabilities.

  These improvements, however, have not dealt with the root of the problem for the people intended to be in the SAID program, i.e. increasing benefits to a meaningful and realistic level.

  DISC representatives have been working with government in an effort to develop, expand and improve support for people with disabilities through the SAID program. DISC values its relationship with government, and anticipates a fruitful future relationship that will benefit people with disabilities in Saskatchewan. With this spirit of cooperation, DISC would like to encourage the provincial government to expand the reach of the SAID program by enrolling a greater number of recipients into the program, who are eligible for funding.

  “We understand that these things take time to develop, and that the government must follow certain procedures to expand programs and allocate funds,” said Chair of DISC Judy Hannah. “However, each passing day is a period of struggle and deprivation for people with disabilities in Saskatchewan waiting to be enrolled in SAID.”

  Saskatchewan has an election approaching on Nov. 7, 2011. DISC encourages all candidates for election to the legislative assembly, no matter their political affiliation, to put a priority on moving the SAID program forward and to provide a meaningful, socially acceptable level of support for those on the SAID program. Further to this, members of the public are encouraged to voice their support for the expansion of SAID. For more information, visit DISC at www.saskdisc.ca, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saskdisc or on Twitter, @DISCsk.
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• We need your help!

  The Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) and its 38 member organizations need your assistance in our advocacy efforts to improve the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program.

  As you are aware, DISC has been working with the government to expand the reach of the SAID program by enrolling a greater number of eligible recipients into the program, and committing to increase benefit rates for everyone who will be enrolled in the program. Each passing day is a struggle and deprivation for people with disabilities in Saskatchewan who want to be enrolled in SAID.

  We increased our advocacy efforts earlier this year by hosting a media conference which documented the struggles for people with disabilities and how more assistance is required. We have also appeared on several radio and television shows to discuss the situation, and have been interviewed by various members of the media. We have written letters to the editor which have appeared in several Saskatchewan newspapers. We have also purchased radio advertisements which inform more people about the need for additional funding.

  With an election looming, now is another opportunity strengthen our message. We are asking you to submit the attached Form letter to the Premier of Saskatchewan and encourage him to support an enhanced SAID program. We will be using a variety of media relations and advertisements to support our message. We would also like to track the number of letters that are sent to the Premier. Plese click here for the Form letter

  Can you please cc your letters to:

  • Anita Hopfauf, Executive Director

  c/o Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan
  P.O. Box 305, Regina, S4P 3A1                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Email:  ahopfauf@sasktel.net

  and/or

  • Judy Hannah, Chair – DISC

  c/o Saskatchewan Association for Community Living,

  3031 Louise St, Saskatoon, SK S7J 3L1

  Email:  judy.hannah@sacl.org

  We will continue to keep you up to date on our advocacy efforts and encourage you to have your friends and family send letters of their own. By working together, we can make a difference.

  Thanks for your assistance. If you have any questions about our campaign, please contact….

  Judy Hannah

  306-955-3344 ext. 112
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• It’s here!

  Hello everyone!

  After long hours of blood, sweat and tears, the conference is here!

  The SSS would like to thank our great speakers who are coming from far and wide to help educate us about a myriad of topics,  the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and our partner offices across the country, our staff (who worked insane hours) our volunteers (who worked insane hours for free) the wonderful staff at the Regina Inn Hotel and Conference Centre, and most of all you! Thank you for registering! We’re sure that you’ll leave the conference with new information and new hope!

  For those who haven’t registered, there’s still time! Whether you’re a consumer, family or friend, or just interested in learning more, we encourage you to register now for “Changing Minds.”
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• It’s Almost Conference Time!

  From Tuesday, September 13 to Thursday, September 15, the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada are proud to host over half a dozen speakers, numerous artists, and more at our annual national conference. This year, we’re addressing the difficulties that stigma presents to consumers and ways in which we can work through it and beat it!

  If you haven’t registered yet, there is limited space available! Please join us for “Changing Minds!”

  You can register online here:

  http://www.cvent.com/events/the-schizophrenia-society-of-canada-and-the-schizophrenia-society-of-saskatchewan-present-changing-m/event-summary-160faf2f2ccb42119d5645de6d9fa729.aspx

  Or call us at 306-584-2620

  See you there!
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• The SSS is proud to announce the winners of the 2011 Eli Lilly “Moving Lives Forward” scholarship!

  This year, our scholarship review panel had their work cut out for them during the selection process for the 2011 Eli Lilly “Moving Lives Forward” scholarship.

  But despite the oustanding applications we received, there can be only three. The winners and recepients of a $1000 scholarship to be used towards their studies are:

  Patrick Antosh, who is returning to his studies after a brief hiatus, and plans to focus his studies in biology and chemistry with a concentration in neurobiology.

  Page Kezima, a student in the Social Work department and currently holds the position of Vice-President of External Affairs at the University of Regina Student’s Union.

  Gabriel Turcotte who is also pursuing his degree in social work, and plans on focusing his energies towards working with those diagnosed with mental illness.

  For more information about the Eli Lilly “Moving Lives Forward” scholarship and who can apply, please visit our website to review this past year’s criteria:

  http://www.schizophrenia.sk.ca/2011-eli-lilly-moving-lives-forward-scholarship/
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• Life on $26 a Day

  On social assistance, a single person with a disability receives $784 a month. That total is divided as follows: $459 for shelter; $255 for food, clothing and other personal needs; a $50 disability allowance; and a $20 travel allowance. This funding can be reduced to a total of $26 per day, with $8.50 earmarked for personal expenses, and $15.30 set aside for shelter each day. It is difficult to imagine three quality meals each day purchased with $8.50, even without the cost of medication, household items, clothing and other expenses subtracted.

  
  

  “It is a tight rope that people with disabilities walk every day,” says Saskatchewan Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC) Chair Judy Hannah. “The money they receive from social assistance is not sufficient for the necessities of life, and as a result people with disabilities are forced to make decisions between things like their medication and food.”

  
  

  Hannah adds the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) Program, launched by the Government of Saskatchewan in the fall of 2009, has helped some people with disabilities. SAID is a mechanism providing income to people with disabilities that is an alternative to social assistance, and though advancements have been made to SAID, Hannah says it remains insufficient: “The reality is that there are not enough people receiving income through SAID, and those who are enrolled in the program still don’t receive an adequate amount.” At present, less than 3,000 people with disabilities are enrolled in SAID and only small increases have been promised to the level of support delivered by SAID.

  
  

  DISC, and each of its 38 member organizations, is dedicated to working cooperatively with the Province to increase the number of people enrolled in SAID, and increase the level of income for both those already enrolled in the program and those who will be enrolled in the future. The Government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Social Services have already taken steps to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the province, but there is a great deal left to be done. DISC anticipates a productive future relationship with the Province that will benefit people with disabilities.

  
  

  “The people who stand to gain from the SAID program are either limited in their ability to work or entirely unable to work,” says Hannah. “These are people who want to work, but their disability makes that very difficult. People with disabilities must overcome many hurdles, and struggling to make ends meet on $26 a day should not be one of them.”

  
  

  On Nov. 7, 2011 Saskatchewan will go to the polls. DISC encourages all voters and candidates to keep the needs of people with disabilities in mind through this election season. Voice your opinion and support the expansion of the SAID program. For more information visit DISC online at www.saskdisc.ca, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saskdisc or on Twitter, @DISCsk.
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• CHANGING MINDS – Presented by the Schizophrenia Society of Canada and the Schizophrenia Society of Sask.

  

  Join us for 3 great days of learning! Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:00 AM - Thursday, September 15, 2011 3:30 PM Regina Inn Hotel and Convention Centre 1975 Broad Street Regina, SK S4P 1Y2  View Event Fees View Event Summary View Event Agenda Thursday, September 1, 2011
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

• Call for Nominations for the 2011 SSS Inc. Awards

  The Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan again is calling for nominations for the 2011 Awards. 

  We are looking for nominations for both the “Rays of Hope Award” and for the “Dr. Lionel and Mrs. Mary Hastings Award for Recognition of Clinical Practice Excellence”.  These awards will be presented again this year at our Annual Conference in September of 2011.

  We are asking you, the membership, to nominate people you feel are deserving of these awards.  Please submit your nominations to the Provincial Office before August 8th, 2011  Application forms and more information are available by clicking the links below.

  Rays of Hope Application and Information

  Hastings Award Application and Information
  Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
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