The provincial government has announced an increase in funding for Sanctum Care Group, which has programming for women in complex life situations. The $650,000 in funding comes from the Ministries of Health and Social Services, as was announced in the annual budget last March. The money supports Sanctum’s Prenatal Outreach and Resource Team and Sanctum 1.5 programs.

The PORT program provides early interventions that reduce health complications in mother and babies for women in complex life situations, and Sanctum 1.5 addresses the health and wellbeing of high-risk pregnant women and their children. The aim is to help at-risk mothers safely care for their children, reducing the number of children going into foster care and reducing perinatal transmission of HIV.

Sanctum is a community-based organization made up of interagency professionals who work with people affected by HIV, addictions, mental health issues, poverty and homelessness.