Province Seeks Input on Children and Family Services Act

Nova Scotians are invited to share their thoughts and ideas on the Children and Family Services Act.

“The Children and Family Services Act is designed to strengthen the well-being of Nova Scotian families and communities and protect children from harm,” said Community Services Minister Trevor Boudreau. “We want to hear from youth, families and communities about changes that could improve programs and services, and I encourage you to participate.”

The Department of Community Services will hold sessions across the province starting this month to give government representatives an opportunity to listen, learn and receive feedback from members of the public.

People can also respond to an online survey at https://novascotia.ca/children-and-family-services-act-engagement/ , submit their input via email at CFSA@novascotia.ca , or mail it to: CFSA Engagement, Department of Community Services,1894 Barrington St., 5th floor, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2A8.

The engagement sessions start October 25 in Yarmouth and continue across the province through November.

Following the engagement period, the Province will share the findings with the public in a What We Heard report. The engagement sessions are to help inform the review, which must be complete – and the final report made public – by March 1, 2025.

Quotes:

“Over the past few years, the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) has partnered with the Department of Community Services to support training and the implementation of their anti-Black racism strategy. Involving the communities of African Nova Scotians and people of African descent in the review of the Children and Family Services Act is the Department's commitment to providing culturally responsive services to people of African ancestry. ABSW encourages community members to attend the community consultations to provide the necessary feedback, to not only amend the current act, but to ensure culturally responsive services are designed to address the cultural needs of their community.”

– Rachelle Sweeting, President, Association of Black Social Workers

Quick Facts:

• the Children and Family Services Act protects one of Nova Scotia’s most vulnerable populations – children who are living in situations of abuse or neglect
• the Children and Family Services Act requires a full review of the legislation every four years
• the public survey will be open until November 30

Additional Resources:

Dates and locations of the engagement sessions are available at: https://novascotia.ca/children-and-family-services-act-engagement/

Children and Family Services Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/children%20and%20family%20services.pdf