Dorie’s House in Swift Current will be re-opening as a youth addictions treatment facility after an agreement was reached between the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Southwest Youth Emergency Shelter (SWYES).
The agreement, announced on Monday morning, will result in Dorie’s House providing both inpatient and outpatient services for youth who are experiencing problematic substance use. This program is a result of an $800,000 commitment in the 2019-20 Provincial Budget.
“More and more youth are struggling with mental health and addictions, so it is especially important that we continue to expand services to better meet their needs,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister and Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley stated in a press release. “I’m pleased that SWYES is working in partnership with the SHA to provide much-needed addictions treatment supports to youth in Swift Current, southwest Saskatchewan and across our province.”
The new addictions treatment program will be run out of Dorie’s House, a facility that was constructed in 2016. Funding will be provided for six residential inpatient treatment spaces, a further four to six outpatient spaces for residents of Swift Current and area, plus clinical services and educational programming provided by the SHA.
“We are excited to partner with SWYES on this unique approach to youth treatment,” SHA Mental Health and Addictions South West Director Michael Seiferling said. “The hybrid model of care, which provides both residential and outpatient care, allows us to offer a wider range of supports to a broader range of youth.”
Dorie’s House is scheduled to re-open in the spring, and programming will be aimed at youth aged 12 to 18. Applications are now being sought for an Executive Director to oversee operations of the facility.
“Our multifaceted approach to recreational wellness and housing not only complements existing supports within the province, but also boosts our provincial capacity to serve the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens: our youth,” SWYES President Shauna Hanna said. “I am confident that this partnership will lead to the creation of a centre of excellence unique to our region – one that will do a whole lot of good for a great many families. We are simply thrilled to begin delivering on this promise.”
