The 200-thousand dollar plan will seek to identify existing services and initiatives for children, youth and adults on the autism spectrum and their families among other things.
It will also identify gaps in services and make recommendations for additional support.
Mental Health Minister Brian Comer says the government will work with Autism Nova Scotia to seek input from people with autism and their families, as well as health-care professionals and community organizations before releasing the plan next spring.
Nova Scotia’s Department of Community services doesn’t have an accurate read of the caseloads carried by the province’s social workers.
Shelley Bent James, an executive director with the department, says social workers manage on average 22.75 cases, but she says that number is inaccurate because it includes older cases for which paperwork hasn’t been completed.
Bent James told a legislature’s public accounts committee yesterday the department is trying to reduce the administrative burden on social workers and allow them more direct time with children, youth and families.
She says the department is conducting a pilot program that involves the use of support staff who assist social workers with such things as paperwork and record keeping.
RCMP have turned to the public in their investigation of what they term a suspicious incident in Bible Hill. It happened on April 21, at approximately 3:30 p.m., and involved an unidentified man, estimated to be about 50 years old. Investigators are asking for help in identifying the person of interest. He has white hair and greenish-brown eyes. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light grey hoodie with a bird stenciled on the front, blue jeans, a dark jacket and dark shoes. Anyone with any information on the identity of this man is asked to call Bible Hill RCMP at 902-893-6820 or contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.
Nova Scotia’s public works minister is reacting to news that the federal government is acquiring the historic railway bridge to Quebec.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Quebec City yesterday that Ottawa will spend one billion dollars over the next 25 years to repair, repaint and maintain the bridge.
In a statement, Kim Masland says the Atlantic provinces are facing the threat of losing the Chignecto Isthmus due to climate change and have repeatedly asked Ottawa to acknowledge its responsibility to protect it because of its significance as a national trade corridor.
Masland says Ottawa has a responsibility to treat all Canadians equally and is urging that it fully fund a project to maintain the dikes and other structures on the land connection between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Public Health is holding a COVID-19 and influenza testing, and COVID-19, influenza and measles immunization clinic today at:
Truro Legion
42 Brunswick St., Truro
Thursday, May 16 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Drop-in only:
· COVID-19 Moderna & Pfizer and influenza vaccines for people ages six months and older.
· Measles-containing vaccines for those who are eligible:
o MMR – Measles, Mumps, Rubella
o MMRV – Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (Chickenpox)
· PCR testing for COVID-19 and flu
· COVID-19 rapid test pick-up
This is part of a Black Health and Wellness Event at Truro Legion.
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