Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 07, 2008

THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Fort Smith's Trailcross Treatment Centre has been temporarily shut down as a new operator takes over.

As of July 1, Wood's Homes of Calgary began operating the facility, replacing Bosco Homes of Edmonton.

Peter Wittig, a director of programs with Wood's Homes, said it is normal to close such a facility for a time when the operator changes.

"We want to get the lay of the land and start it up again," he said.

Trailcross has been empty of children since about mid-June. Speaking in late June, Wittig estimated it might be a month before the facility is ready to accept children once again.

Dean Soenen, the director of children and family services with the Department of Health and Social Services, agreed emptying the facility is not unusual.

"There needs to be a transition process," he said.

Depending on the individual needs of children, they may have been returned to their homes, sent to members of their extended families or placed in foster homes.

If the need arises, Soenen added, Wood's Homes has also agreed to take children back into Trailcross earlier than expected.

Trailcross is a nine-bed treatment centre for children aged 13 to 16 with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

The 18 counsellors and support workers at Trailcross were laid off by Bosco Homes as of June 30.

A new staff is being hired by Wood's Homes.

"We want to get the right people and train them," Wittig said.

Wood's Homes has hired a team leader, who began working on July 1.

"His job initially is to find some staff," Wittig said.

The team leader and one other employee hired as of late June were both employees at Trailcross under Bosco Homes, which had operated the facility since 2000.

Wittig said all former employees of Bosco Homes are welcome to reapply for jobs at Trailcross, but they will have to go through the process like everyone else.

The change of operator means the end of the Union of Northern Workers collective agreement at Trailcross, since the deal was signed with Bosco Homes.