Number of foster families in Yorkton area increase after awareness campaign

There are now 17 more foster families in the Yorkton area thanks to a recent awareness campaign.

The government targeted the east-central region, specifically because of the low number of foster families there.

The campaign began in the middle of September.

Social Services Minister Tina Beaudry-Mellor says these new additions are a welcomed relief.

“If we add those 17 families we have 10 new emergency receiving spaces there. That means those children will be able to stay closer to home,” Beaudry-Mellor explained.

There haven’t often been enough receiving spaces in Saskatchewan, leaving at-risk kids placed in hotels.

This summer, over 50 kids were temporarily in hotels and with new foster families being approved that number is being reduced.

“It is significant because if we think about, you know, earlier last week there were nine children in hotels and let’s just imagine those were in Yorkton. That would be nine children that didn’t necessarily need to be in hotels rooms,” Beaudry-Mellor confirmed.

The government hopes to replicate the awareness campaign used in Yorkton in other areas of the province.

At press time, the number of kids in staying in hotels was zero.