Children and Family Services Act: engagement
The Government of Nova Scotia is preparing to review the Children and Family Services Act.
The Children and Family Services Act is a law that helps protect children and youth from harm and strengthen the wellbeing of families and communities. The act applies to everyone who is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children and youth in Nova Scotia. It also applies to all communities throughout the province.
The Department of Community Services manages programs and services for the Children and Family Services Act. The act sets the rules that these programs and services must follow. Programs and services:
- help prevent harm
- provide extra support for parents, caregivers and families to help cope with challenges
- protect children and youth from their parents or caregivers
- support children and youth when they’re not able to stay with their parents or caregivers
- help family members or approved individuals (like foster parents) become caregivers for children and youth
- support children, youth and adoptive parents throughout the adoption process
By law, the Children and Family Services Act must be reviewed every 4 years. The next review needs to be completed by 1 March 2025.
About the engagement
Government is preparing to review the Children and Family Services Act to help improve programs and services for children, youth and families.
Get informed
Learn more about the Children and Family Services Act in the discussion guides.
- Child, Youth and Family Discussion Guide: Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) Engagement (PDF) - this guide is for youth, families and people who are not familiar with the act
- Discussion Guide: Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) Engagement (PDF) - this guide is for service providers and people who are familiar with the act
How to participate
Survey closed on 30 November 2023. Public engagement sessions were held 25 October 2023 to 28 November 2023.
Report
Feedback is captured in the Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act (CFSA) Engagement What We Heard Report (PDF).
More information about the engagement
You can send questions about the Children and Family Services Act engagement to cfsa@novascotia.ca.
Contact
Department of Community Services
Children and Family Services Act Engagement
1894 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 2A8
cfsa@novascotia.ca