Secure Care at The Wood Street Centre

Located in Truro, Nova Scotia, the Wood Street Centre offers a secure and stable environment for children and youth in the care of the Minister who are in-crisis. This program is the only one of its kind east of Montreal.

All referrals must go through the local child-welfare authority. The Wood Street Centre will only serve children and youth in the care of the Minister. If police, parents or other professionals believe there are grounds to apply for a certificate for a child who is in need of protection for abuse or neglect, they must contact the local agency. Attempts to make referrals directly to the Centre will be redirected to the local agency closest to the location of the child.

In order to ensure the necessary criteria are met before admission, a secure-care risk-conferencing process has been established that involves child-welfare caseworkers and their supervisors. The young person must also have legal representation.

Secure Stabilization (Short Term)

Secure Stabilization will provide short-term residential services to young people who are experiencing severe difficulties in their existing placements, at home or in the community.

Longer Term Residential Intervention

Longer Term Residential Intervention was developed to assist young people who exhibit more complex needs, and can be provided where the Court is satisfied that the placement is justified under the legislation. Time spent at the Wood Street Centre is an opportunity for the client to receive crisis-intervention assistance

and stabilization. As a side benefit, this also gives the client's current residential or foster home placement time to regroup after the  crisis.

From a continuum-of-care perspective, it is critical that the child return to the "home" placement as soon as possible. This is where  long-term change will occur.

Through care at the Wood Street Centre, the need for multiple placements will be reduced. The Centre will also reduce stress on residential foster care. While the young person is at the centre, they will receive balance, stabilization, security and other services as needed.

Referrals

The Wood Street Centre provides services to young people in the care of the Minister who require secure care for their safety and well-being. Violence, abuse, addictions and suicidal thoughts will likely be common themes among the Centre's residents.

It is anticipated that the vast majority of the young people who access the program will be between the ages of 12 and 18. However, some may be younger than 12, depending on individual circumstances.

As many as 200 young people may pass through the program each year.

About the Clients

Centre staff include a Chief of Clinical Services, supervisors, youth-care workers, clinical social workers, a nurse, administrative-support staff, and a team of specialized consultants in psychiatry, psychology and medical services.

The Wood Street Centre has 20 beds split between two living units, and houses two classrooms, recreational space, a family unit and clinical, administrative and meeting space.

Next steps

Contact

Nova Scotia Department of Community Services
Wood Street Centre
225 Wood Street
Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 7H8

(902) 896-7040