Social Services Minister Paul Merriman and Saskatchewan MLAs will attend private events across the province to show their support and appreciation to Saskatchewan foster families.

“Foster families provide a safe, loving and stable home to children and youth in times when their families are in crisis,” Merriman said.  “It is one of the best ways people can give back to their communities, and our world-class online training program enables prospective families across the province to become a foster parent.”

The Saskatchewan Foster Families Association (SFFA) manages recruitment, training and support for foster families, in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan.  They are currently running a number of recruitment drives across the province to encourage people to learn more about becoming a foster parent.

“This year we chose to spend the entire month of October celebrating Saskatchewan Foster Families,” SFFA Executive Director Deb Davies said.  “Foster families and parents work hard and are required to take a significant amount of training before they can have a child placed with them.  We will always work hard to celebrate their amazing talent and professional parenting abilities, not just this month but all year long.”

Earlier this year the Ministry of Social Services together with the SFFA announced a new payment system that compensates families when they complete required training programs.  This has made life easier for foster families and parents as well as the SFFA because it enables better retention and recruitment of foster families.  The training also helps grow the pool of foster parents with specialized training in critical areas such as FASD, trauma and First Aid/CPR.

“Foster families in Saskatchewan open their homes to children and youth with all kinds of needs,” Davies said.  “Kids who have high medical needs, FASD, and trauma, sibling groups and even young babies and toddlers.  We are so pleased to celebrate their love, compassion and commitment that foster families make to support children who need out of home care.  It’s about families helping families.”

Anyone interested in learning more about how they can help vulnerable children, youth and their families, or what is required to become a foster parent, is encouraged to call the Saskatchewan Foster Families Association at 1-800-667-7002 or visit www.saskfosterfamilies.ca. 

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3610
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca

Deb Davies
Saskatchewan Foster Families Association
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-270-3172
Email: deb@sffa.sk.ca