Community Services
Our affordable housing and repair programs are now available through Housing Nova Scotia, the new provincial government corporation dedicated to ensuring everyone can find housing that’s right for them. Visit Housing Nova Scotia.
What's new
Canada-Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities - Annual Report 2016-2017
Government is pleased to present the third annual report on the province’s commitments and investments under the 2014 Canada‐Nova Scotia Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities.
Changes to Foster Care Rates and Reimbursements
As of Aug. 1, foster parents will receive more financial supports for things including babysitting rates and per diems. In addition, reimbursement for travel expenses will move to an automatic payment system, making it easier for foster parents.
Disclosure of Information to Former Children in Care
Former children in permanent care and custody often have questions about the reasons they came into care and their birth families. This information can be of critical importance to them as they seek to understand their own history and personal circumstances.
Read more about disclosure of information to former children in care.
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Nova Scotia Resource
This new online training course is available free of charge for Nova Scotians to learn more about sexual violence, how to respond to a disclosure of sexual violence and how to support someone who has survived it.
Provincial After-Hours Response Team (PART)
The Provincial After-Hours Response Team responds to both child protection and children in care issues outside of regular business hours.
Access, Family Visitation and Transportation
Access, family visitation and transportation services are intended to enable continuity of relationships, reunification, healthy growth and development and a sense of normalcy and routine for children in care.
Read about changes to Access, Family Visitation and Transportation policies.
Prevention and early intervention
Prevention and early intervention within child welfare is a proactive and early approach to strengthening children, youth and families.
Read more about prevention and early intervention programs and services
Changes to the Children and Family Services Act
Changes to the Children and Family Services Act, that will help protect Nova Scotians from 16-18 years of age, improve child safety, streamline court processes and ensure children have a safe and lifelong family relationship, take effect on March 1.
Read more about the changes to the Act
Download the factsheet (PDF)
Download Duty to Report factsheet (PDF)
Community Services Transformation
Community Services helps thousands of Nova Scotians in vulnerable situations every day. The time has come to transform and redesign our programs to ensure that they are as effective and efficient as they can be. This website will help keep you up to date with the transformation process.
I want to...
- Download the Child Abuse Register search form
- Learn how to have cheques deposited directly into a bank account
- Learn about the Sexual Violence Strategy
- Learn about housing programs for seniors
- Report child abuse
- Learn how to apply for Income Assistance
- Learn about prescription drug coverage (Pharmacare) for Community Services clients
- Read the Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) Policy Manual
- Learn about the Licensing Services (LS) Program
- See a list of programs and services for seniors
- See a list of programs and services for students