Program, delivered in partnership with province's justice ministry, to be operational by Sept. 1
Family Intervention Rapid Support Teams (FIRST), a new initiative in Saskatchewan, seeks to connect families in crisis with immediate help and ongoing assistance and to reduce the likelihood of family violence and demand for emergency services through earlier intervention.
“We are pleased to introduce this program, which directly serves families experiencing violence and supports them as they navigate the system in a time of personal crisis,” said Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan’s justice minister and attorney general, in a news release.
The West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre Inc., based in Kindersley, will deliver the program, which aims to be operational by Sept. 1, in partnership with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.
“Our goal is to empower individuals and families to proactively deter crisis and trauma, by offering ongoing help and support,” said Michelle Weber, the centre’s executive director.
Trained outreach workers will work to intervene, to offer collaborative and timely services to families in crisis across central west Saskatchewan and to give ongoing support to assist families in lessening the risk of future violence.
“This program will be a valuable tool in our province, and I am glad that it is being introduced to the Kindersley area,” said Ken Francis, member of Saskatchewan’s Legislative Assembly for Kindersley.
The delivery of the FIRST initiative from 2021 to 2022 will be supported by a $128,000 investment by the justice ministry.
