Our last residents of Valley View Centre have officially moved out of the building on Tuesday, marking the end of institutionalized style living for people with intellectual disabilities in Saskatchewan.

Since the closure of Valley View Centre was announced in 2012, the Government of Saskatchewan, Inclusion Saskatchewan and the Valley View Legacy Network have worked together to ensure the success and well-being of residents as they move into communities of their choice.

Every person that has moved out of Valley View had a transition plan, where they and their families were invited to the table to make choices about their future, including where they wanted to live, who they wanted to live with and how they were going to live.  This person-centred approach put the residents and their support systems at the forefront of decision making.

“Today’s announcement has been seven years in the making through careful planning with each and every resident, their family members and support systems,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said.  “I’d like to sincerely thank Inclusion Saskatchewan, the Valley View Centre Legacy Network and all of the employees past and present from Valley View and the Ministry of Social Services who have worked toward this day. Your dedication to putting residents first has made this a success.”

“The closure of Valley View Centre is a historic step forward for individuals with intellectual disabilities,” Inclusion Saskatchewan President Gloria Mahussier said.  “Thanks to our Saskatchewan-made person-centred approach, all of the centre’s former residents are now living healthy, happy, and secure lives in the communities of their choice.  I’d like to thank our partners on the transition team for their thoughtfulness, dedication, and passion over the years.”

“On behalf of the Valley View Centre Legacy Network, I would like to thank former Minister June Draude, as well as our Valley View Transition Steering Committee partners from the Ministry of Social Services and Inclusion Saskatchewan,” Valley View Centre Legacy Network Acting Chair Doug Conn said.  “Having a shared vision, the transition team worked hard to ensure that the fearful unknowns of the Valley View Centre closure were turned into a situation full of dreams, possibilities, and life in the community.  I would also like to thank the residents and their families for trusting the late June Avivi’s leadership, and trusting the 14 recommendations developed by the steering committee that paved the way to a successful transition process.”

Quick Facts:

• In total, 153 adults with intellectual disabilities have been successfully transitioned to community-based homes.
• Thirty-six new group homes have been purchased, renovated, or built.
• Two new safety net homes have been developed to respond to people who are in crisis and need additional services.  A third home is being planned.

The closure of Valley View Centre supports the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy by encouraging inclusive communities through the creation of numerous residential and day program services for people with disabilities.