Child Care Information for Families
- Child Care Information for Families
Help for Nova Scotians looking for quality child care.- Child Care Subsidy
The government may provide partial funding for a subsidized space in a child care centre should you qualify under the income guidelines.- Portable Subsidized Spaces
This program allows you to take subsidized child care spaces with you if you move to another part of the province.- Early Intervention Program Information
These programs are designed for children who are at risk of poor developmental outcomes.- Child Care Subsidy Program
Child care subsidy provides funding assistance with the cost of child care.- Income Eligibility & Assessed Daily Parent Fee Changes (ADPF)
Effective April 1, 2008 the maximum allowable income levels are being increased and the minimum ADPF will be lowered from $2.25 per day per family to $1.00 per day per family.- Supported Child Care for Children with Special Needs
This programs helps families of children with special needs have access to child care in their own communitiesInformation for Childcare Providers
- Information for Child Care Providers
Information on operating a child care facility, with information on licensing, grants, training etc.- Child Care Centre License
Licenses are required for anyone who wants to care for more than six children of any age (including their own) or eight school-age children (including their own).- Child Care Subsidy Program Terms and Conditions (PDF)
This document describes the Department of Community Services Terms and Conditions regarding the Child Care Subsidy Program for Child Care Centres.- Early Intervention Programs
These programs are designed for children who are at risk of poor developmental outcomes.- Child Care Stabilization Grant Program
Funding to full-day child care programs to enhace wages, benefits and training of child care staff.- Child Care Operating Grant
Available to licensed commercial and non-profit full-day child care centres.- Child Care Expansion and Replacement Loan
Financial assistance to new and existing facilities enabling them to expand their capacity.- Early Childhood Education Assistance Program
This program will provide a debt reduction incentive to eligible Early Childhood Education graduates.- Family Home Day Care
This program gives parents access to monitored day care services in a home setting.- Outdoor Playspace Grant
Grants to assist in the creation of natural, safe and stimulating outdoor play spaces.- Program Enhancement Grant (PEG)
Grants to assist in the enhancement of safe and stimulating programs.- Recruitment & Retention of Child Care Staff
A strategy to build a plan than will take steps to stabilize and enhance the child care workforce in order to deliver quality licensed child care services in Nova Scotia.- Repair and Renovation Loan
Assistance for licensed commercial and non-profit child care centres.- Supported Child Care Grant
The Supported Child Care Grant provides a stable source of funding for programs that help children with special needs.- Training Requirements for Early Childhood Staff
- Continuing Education Program for Child Care Staff
This program enhances the ability of licensed child care centres and family home day care agencies to recruit and retain staff.Adoption Resources
- Adoption
The different types of adoption, eligibility etc.- Who May Adopt
Applicants must meet certain criteria and be subject to a homestudy.- Private Relative Adoption
Adoption of a child by a relative or step parent.- Private Interprovincial Adoption
Interprovincial private adoption can be complex.- Agency Adoption
There are two types of agency adoptions.- International Adoption
Nova Scotian families may adopt a child or children from another country.- Special Needs Adoption
It is difficult for some children to find adoptive homes.- Mi'kmaq Adoption
Children who speak Mi'kmaq must be placed in an environment where the language is spoken and/or understood.- Adoption of Children of African Nova Scotian and Bi-racial Heritage
We are looking for African or interracial Nova Scotian/Canadian families.- Adoption Disclosure
The Adoption Information Act creates a registry to help people search for members of their birth family.Abuse
- About Child Abuse
Information for people who suspect a child is being abused.- Child Abuse Register
The register is used by child protection workers.
Employment Services
- Employment Support Services (ESS)
This program helps people on Income Assistance to become more self-sufficient.- Assessment Services
We provide individuals with a wide range of both formal and informal career and life assessments as a part of their employability action plan.- Going to School
There are some circumstances when you can attend school and receive Income Assistance.- Educate to Work Program
The government pays for tuition and books at the Nova Scotia Community College for people who receive Income Assistance.- Employability Related Expenses
Income Assistance may help with many job- and training-related costs.- Help When You're Looking for a Job
We offer many types of supports to people looking for work.- If You Get a Job
If you or your spouse are employed, you can keep 30% of the net wages earned.- Self Employment and Entrepreneurship
We have policies and programs to support people who want to create their own income.- Work Activity Programs
These programs help people who have barriers to employment to integrate themselves into employment and society.- Wage Subsidy Program
A wage subsidy is a tool used to help you find a work experience that will result in a lasting job.- Youth Initiatives
These programs provide work experience for youth who are connected to the Department of Community Services.- Labour Market Agreement for Persons with Disabilities
This program offers services to support people with disabilities.Income Assistance
- Income Assistance (IA)
This program provides people in financial need with assistance with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing.- How to Apply for Income Assistance
Call or visit us to get started with your application.- A Description of Basic Assistance
How much you can expect to receive to cover the the cost of your basic needs.- Benefits For Children
The federal and provincial governments both pay a benefit for children under the age of 18 to low-income families.- Medical Costs
This program provides assistance with a variety of special needs.- Prescription Drug Coverage (Pharmacare)
Drug coverage available to recipients of Income Assistance and others who qualify.- Career Seek: Help to Attend Post-secondary Programs
This program allows eligible Income Assistance recipients to receive benefits while they attend university or a post-secondary education program.- How Going to School Affects Income Assistance
Make sure that you speak to your worker about your continuing eligibility for Income Assistance.- How a Job Affects Income Assistance
There are a number of ways Income Assistance program may continue to help you.- School Supplies for Families with Children
You can use the money to buy anything your child must have for school.- Supports Beyond Basic Assistance
Income Assistance can help with special needs beyond the basics.- Money From Other Sources
The program treats money you receive differently depending on why you got it and where it comes from.- Harvest Connection Program
This program allows eligible recipients to keep up to $3,000 of income earned from working in the seasonal harvesting.- Appeals
Any person has the right to appeal any decision.- Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) Policy Manual
This manual contains all of the policies that your worker uses when making decisions.
Rental Housing
- Programs for People Who Rent
Programs to provide safe, adequate, and affordable rental accommodations to seniors and families on fixed or low incomes.- Family Rental Housing
- Rent Supplement Program
- Co-operative and Non-profit Housing Programs
Co-operative housing programs provide modest, affordable housing for lower and moderate-income families and individuals.- Lone Parent Student Affordable Rental Housing
- Seniors Rental Housing
This program is designed to provide adequate, affordable rental housing to senior citizens and other individuals in need.Help for Seniors
- Programs for Senior Homeowners
Programs to help seniors stay in their homes.- The Senior Citizens Assistance Program
This program helps senior citizens who wish to remain in their own homes but who cannot afford to carry out necessary repairs.- Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence
This program helps landlords pay for home adaptations to extend the time that low-income seniors can live in their own homes independently.- Property Tax Rebate Program
This is a program for seniors who receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement.- Parent Apartment Program
This loan program promotes additions or renovations to accommodate senior family members.Programs for Developers
- Programs for Developers of Affordable Housing
Programs providing affordable housing for people with low to moderate incomes.- New Rental Housing
- Rental Housing Preservation
- New Home Ownership
Help to Homeowners for Major Repairs
- Programs for Homeowners
Programs to help lower income households maintain, acquire or rent safe, adequate and affordable housing.- Homeowner Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Programs
Help for major repairs and adaptations.- Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Homeowners
- Emergency Repair Program
- Provincial Housing Emergency Repair Program
- Home Ownership Preservation
- Family Modest Housing Program
- Small Loans Assistance Program
Help to Landlords for Major Repairs
- Programs for Landlords
Programs to help landlords offer safe, adequate and affordable housing for lower income households.- Conversion Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
- Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Landlords
- Rental Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
- Rooming House Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
- Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence
Help for People with Disabilities
- Programs for Persons with Disabilities
Programs for low-income persons with disabilities.- Access-A-Home Program
This program provides assistance to people who must adapt their homes for wheelchair use.- Disabled Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
Contact Information
- Contact Us
- Head Office Contacts
- Find Your Local Community Services Office
We have locations throughout Nova Scotia.- Housing Authority Offices
- Housing Services Offices & Other Housing Contacts
- Find Agency Offices
- Media Contacts at the Department
- Contact Us About Community Services
- Contact Us About the Website
Communications Staff Contact Forms
Backgrounders
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