Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Saskatchewan. Dept. of Community Resources and Employment
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Department of Community Resources and Employment was established on April 1, 2003 when it was renamed from the former Department of Social Services by regulations of The Government Organization Act. At its establishment, the department was organized into four program divisions: Employment and Income Assistance; Community Living; Housing; and Child and Family Services. Additionally, the department had several corporate services branches and hosted the Office of Disability Issues. Programs and services of the department were delivered through a network of five regional offices and service centres located in twenty-two communities throughout Saskatchewan. Deputy Ministers of the department were Bonnie Durnford (2003-2004) and Wynne Young (2004-2006).
The Employment and Income Assistance Division was responsible for providing employment-related and financial services to residents of the province. Programs such as the Saskatchewan Assistance Plan (SAP), the Transitional Employment Allowance, and the Saskatchewan Employment Supplement provided income support. Further income support programs such as The Saskatchewan Child Benefit and Family Health Benefits provided assistance to low-income families, while the Saskatchewan Income Plan assisted low-income seniors.
Career and employment services offered by the division included: career planning; information on job availability; skills training; and work experience programs. The division was also responsible for the Child Care Branch (by 2006, renamed the Early Learning and Child Care Branch) which administered licences to day care facilities and provided subsidies to low-income families requiring day care services.
The Community Living Division was responsible for programs and services that supported the development of inclusive communities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Services were provided to individuals and their families through a system of community-based social, residential and early childhood programs and by community service workers. The division also operated Valley View Centre, a long-term residence and care facility located in Moose Jaw. Additionally, the division worked cooperatively with non-governmental organizations including the Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres and the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living in the delivery of its programs and services.
The Housing Division supported affordable housing initiatives for low- and moderate-income families in the province. It oversaw the housing resources of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, a Crown corporation, which managed agreements for housing with housing authorities and cooperatives, non-profit agencies and private landlords throughout the province.
The Child and Family Services Division was responsible for the administration of The Child and Family Services Amendment Act, 2003. Its programs and services supported child protection, foster care, adoption, teen and young parent welfare, and family violence intervention and counselling. The division also consulted with child and family services agencies from eighteen First Nations on the provision of child welfare services to families living on reserve.
Corporate services supported program and service implementation within the department. They were comprised of: the Human Resources Division; Intergovernmental Relations Branch; Communications and Public Education Branch; Strategic Policy Branch; Research and Evaluation Branch; Information Technology Services Division; and Finance and Property Management Division.
The Department of Community Resources and Employment was disestablished on February 3, 2006. Career and employment services were assumed by the Department of Advanced Education and Employment, while responsibility for child care programs and licences was transferred to the Department of Learning. The Department of Community Resources assumed responsibility for income assistance, housing, child and family services, and community living programs and services.