Having the highest child poverty rates in Atlantic Canada should cause all of us to hold our heads in shame. We can no longer afford as a province to ignore poverty – now is the time where individuals can make a difference by giving voice to those who cannot and demand political action and policy change. One of the highest poverty rates is Digby at 27.3%

= 2022 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Nova Scotia

The Department of Community Services is undertaking a critical review of the Children and Family Service Act (CFSA). This review presents a significant opportunity for us to share our experiences and insights, which will be instrumental in enhancing and refining the CFSA.

The Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition (CWAC) has prepared a resource to guide your responses to the survey.  (It appears at the bottom of this post.) The review will focus on several key areas: -Assessing the successful aspects of the CFSA and suggesting improvements -Discussing changes to better protect the rights of children and youth -Enhancing personal information management practices -Proposing amendments to ensure that the CFSA is culturally sensitive and incorporates trauma-informed approaches -Suggesting ways to ensure policy equitability -Identifying the challenges faced by Indigenous families -Recommending methods for the quality assessment of programs and services CWAC emphasizes the importance of addressing fundamental issues such as intergenerational trauma and poverty in child welfare. We believe in the need for systemic changes to achieve improved outcomes. Key recommendations from CWAC include: -Implementing all 94 recommendations from the Housing For All Report -Advocating for an annual investment of $531 million over the next decade for housing construction, acquisition, and maintenance -Enacting all 16 recommendations from the 2022 CCPA-NS Child and Family Report Card You can participate in this crucial review process by providing your input through the following channels: –Online Survey -Email Submission: Send your thoughts, ideas, and feedback directly via email at CFSA@novascotia.ca Provide your feedback through the online survey by 30 November 2023. -Mail-in Submission: Mail your input to CFSA Engagement, Department of Community Services, 1894 Barrington St., 5th floor, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2A8 Your voice matters. Your feedback can help shape the future of child welfare in our province. Let’s work together to make a significant difference in the lives of our community’s children, youth, and families.Thank you for your attention and participation in this important initiative. Watch this video from members of the The Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition (CWAC)discussing the current state of life for many children and youth in Nova Scotia. https://fb.watch/ozOQuadJ3B/