February has been a busy month in our community. I have attended many community meetings and events and especially enjoyed the visitation with Fall River’s Brian Jones of the Toronto Argonauts and his presentation of the Grey Cup at the Gordon Snow Centre.
In Halifax, our Legislative Committee Meetings continue. I also had the opportunity to attend a two day Mental Health First Aid Course presented by St. John’s Ambulance. I highly recommend this course, details can be found at http://www.sja.ca/English/Pages/default.aspx .
“One in three Canadians will experience a mental health problem at some point during their life. The earlier a problem is detected and treated, the better the outcome. Mental Health First Aid gives people the skills they need to provide that early help that is so important in recovery.”
The House will begin sitting on February 27 and is expected to be busy with the passing of the budget, cannabis legislation, boundary reviews and educational system reforms. Information and updates on education can be found at novascotia.ca/educationsystem/ .
Children and Adults with Disabilities to Receive Enhanced Support at Home
Children and adults with disabilities and their families who qualify for more support at home will receive it without having to wait.
Under the current program, Nova Scotians with disabilities who qualified for Enhanced Family Support were placed on a waitlist until funding became available, as the funding for this program was capped. As of today, Feb. 21, anyone who qualifies will receive the additional supports they need.
Government programs such as Direct Family Support for Children, Flex Support for Adults, and the Enhanced Family Support for Children and Adults help families hire support workers who have specialized training, education or experience related to the needs of their family members. These programs help families who care for loved ones with a range of physical or intellectual disabilities.
Effective immediately, the enhanced programs will no longer have a waitlist. That means individuals on the existing waitlist, as well as any additional families assessed and recommended for additional support, will receive the enhanced funding.
Child Care Subsidy Changes Effective Feb. 1
Changes made, effective February 1st, to Nova Scotia’s Child Subsidy Program, will see eligible families across the province receive more funding toward the cost of regulated child care. Zach Churchill, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development says the enhanced program will make child care more accessible and affordable for about 1,600 eligible children.
Changes include increasing the income threshold from $25,000 to $35,000, increasing the subsidy for families who make $35,000 to $70,000, and for the first time, part-day programs are eligible for the subsidy. Families who receive the child care subsidy now will be notified about their rate change.
Contact us
Please call my office, 902-576-3411, or drop by at 1265 Fall River Rd. Our email is billhorne@gmail.com, our website is billhorne.ca and you can follow me on twitter @bill_horne_mla.
