Province to Hire More Child Welfare Workers

The province is investing in the care and protection of children and is now recruiting 71 new social workers.

Community Services Minister Peter Christie said the government is directing tax dollars towards children and the priorities of Nova Scotians.

"We're committed to doing the important jobs better, and nothing is more important than the care and protection of children," said Mr. Christie. "We will be allocating these positions in ways to ensure they benefit children to the greatest extent possible."

The new positions will boost services in three areas: child welfare focusing on the protection of children; foster care; and adoption services.

These 71 positions will be located in the 19 child welfare offices throughout the province: six are district offices of the department and 13 are privately-run family and children's services/children's aid societies.

The positions were announced in the October 1999 budget.

"We've had a high turnover of staff because of the high caseload and the intensity of the work, so this is welcome news," said Anne Blanford, executive director of the Children's Aid Society of Pictou County. "We will now be able to provide better service to families and more support for our foster parents."

"Even with this step forward, we know more needs to be done," said Mr. Christie. "As we gain control of our finances, this is a priority area we will continue to address."

NOTE TO EDITORS: A backgrounder on the new social worker positions is available; please e-mail <[email protected].>

Information is also available atwww.gov.ns.ca/coms/jobinfo.htm .