Government Making Progress on Nunn Recommendations
An update released today, June 28, by government shows steady progress on the implementation of the Nunn Commission recommendations.
In January, government accepted all 34 recommendations made by Commissioner Merlin Nunn and has been working to improve community safety, prevent crime and enhance services for young people in Nova Scotia.
In his report, Commissioner Nunn recommended the province work to shorten the length of time it takes for a young person's case to proceed through the courts. Case processing time is now significantly shorter than reported at the inquiry, and a new target has been set to reduce it even further.
"We have been working with justice partners to identify roadblocks and solutions. We'll continue to evaluate our processing time every six months to ensure young people are brought before the courts and through the justice system as quickly as possible," said Justice Minister Murray Scott. "While we are making progress on all of the recommendations, we know our work does not stop here."
Two new Crown attorneys were hired to work in youth court in Halifax and Sydney to help speed up the court process. Three new mental health professionals are also in place at the IWK to improve access to mental health assessments and help reduce case processing time. One psychologist will join the team in October and a fifth position has been posted.
New supports and supervision for youth in conflict with the law are now provided through a new youth attendance centre in Halifax. The centre serves both full-time day students and more than 200 youth under community supervision in the evenings and on weekends. A new bail supervision program also operates out of the centre. Both programs will be evaluated for possible expansion to other parts of the province in 2008.
Improving access and services for families is the focus of a new strategy for children and youth under development for release in early fall.
"We know that children, youth and families deserve timely access to support and services," said Community Services Minister Judy Streatch. "Our goal is to help them easily navigate the system with tools like the new Helpzone.ca website, the brochure of government services and with the release of the child and youth strategy."
To help children, youth and families have better, quicker access to the many programs and services government offers, the website and a brochure of services are available. Helpzone.ca will not only be a learning tool for individuals who access the site, but will help government determine how to better serve Nova Scotians through their feedback and questions.
The strategy will include community-based programs, with the goal of bringing services closer to children, youth and families. Leading the strategy is Robert Wright who was appointed executive director of the child and youth strategy in late April and is working with professionals from across government.
"The work of the Nunn Commission and consultations with both government and community stakeholders has provided a lot of information about where the greatest needs are," said Mr. Wright. "I look forward to continue working with our partners on the strategy and improving services and outcomes for children and youth across the province."
A new family and youth services division has been created, as recommended by Commissioner Nunn. Key program areas of the division are early intervention, family counselling and youth at risk.
The update can be viewed online at www.gov.ns.ca/just and the new website, making it easier for children, youth and families to find information is available at www.Helpzone.ca .