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Nova Scotia to stop sending birth alerts

NICOLE MUNRO nmunro@herald.ca @Nicole__munro

Nova Scotia will no longer use birth alerts, following a recommendation made by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

In a news release Tuesday, the province’s Minister of Community Services Karla Macfarlane said she recognized how birth alerts, which are written notifications by child welfare agencies to hospital staff regarding an expectant parent when significant risk issues are present during the pregnancy, have a disproportionate effect on African Nova Scotian, Indigenous and other marginalized women.

In 2020-2021, Nova Scotia issued 80 birth alerts.

“Going forward, we will have a stronger focus on connecting expectant parents and families with supports to ensure the best possible start for children,” Macfarlane said.

The Department of Community Services has created a family connections coordinator position to support “expectant families who are struggling or have multiple needs that place them at risk” as early as possible.

Supports and services may include counselling, parenting programs, prenatal supports, food, housing supports and connection to medical services.

“As a community and a society we need to get back to where we used to be in the sense of ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ We, as the village, need to look out for each other, including expectant parents and especially those who may be struggling,” said Trina Fraser, executive director of East Preston Day Care and Family Resource Centre.

“When we love and care for one another, we lift each other up and we strengthen each other. There have been many hurts over the years, some of which we may never be able to get past. However, with the right supports in our communities and from our communities, there can be real and meaningful change.”

Working with the family connections co-ordinator is voluntary, as the department noted some expecting parents may choose to not access services through the program.

“If there are needs after a child is born, the Department will continue to work with families to mitigate risk and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children,” the release said.

Birth alerts have now been axed in most Canadian provinces and territories, though they are still issued in Quebec.

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2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

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