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November 14, 2015 - 9:30 AM
VERNON - The province has picked Vernon as one of the early implementation sites for a new residential service for youth with complex care needs.
The Ministry of Children recently signed off on a five-bed complex care facility for youth aged seven to 18 in Vernon.
The province isn’t saying much about the facility because it is "still in the initial stages" of working with the selected service provider, according to a ministry communications worker.
“We will likely be in a better position to provide additional detail regarding scope and details of the facility as the project nears completion,” the ministry said in an email.
Pegged for completion in the spring of 2016, the facility is described as providing "more intensive treatment than foster care and less intensive treatment than the Complex Care Unit in Burnaby."
A notice of intent posted last month for the facility states the ministry has been reviewing and realigning residential services for youth as part of ongoing work to implement the strategic directions outlined in a 2012 Residential Review Project report, which made several recommendations to improve the experience and life outcomes for children who live in ministry operated or funded care.
Vernon is described as one of the "early implementation sites" for the staffed care residential program. Service strategies will be based on "current and emerging evidence informed practices."
Average length stays at the facility are expected to be six months, but longer stays will be assessed as needed. The service contract is for $1.2 million a year.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015