November 27, 2020
Dear St.Amant Families,
I am very happy to share that the Manitoba government announced a new $35 million Caregiver Wage Support Program for the adult disability, emergency shelter and child welfare sectors.
The Program will provide $5 per hour of wage support for all frontline, direct support workers making less than $25 per hour over the next two months. This will positively affect many staff who work in Health & Transition Services and the Community Residential Program and Children’s Homes and helps in recognizing the incredible work this group has done for the past 8 months and is continuing to show up and do every day.
We’ve had one new case of Covid-19 in an employee who works in the Community Residential Program. The employee is recovering at home and no other cases have been identified. We continue to remind staff of the importance of wearing their Personal Protective Equipment properly at all times, and are continually impressed by their dedication and resilience.
Disability Matters Vote, Abilities Manitoba and Barrier-Free Manitoba are working together to continue to advocate for people with disabilities during this pandemic. Please take 10 minutes or less to give your feedback to this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MbPandemic Responses are required by December 1. Please take this opportunity to share your perspective about what’s going well and where we still need to see improvements.
Last, we held our fall Town Hall for staff online yesterday, and, although not a replacement for face-to-face contact, it did fill me up and give me energy to spend some time together with our team. You are welcome to watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/I-5YTZJXcew
As always, let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I hope you are keeping well.
John Leggat
President & CEO