Child and Family Services exist to protect and support children in the NWT and to encourage families to be strong and healthy. Children in the NWT are protected through the Child and Family Services Act, and in every NWT community, a Community Social Services Worker provides services to protect and improve the well-being of families and children in the North. This includes services for children and youth up to age 19.
Services include, but are not limited to:
When no protection concerns exist, Voluntary Support Services are available to help children, youth and their families. A Voluntary Support Services Agreement can help provide services and support to children, youth and their parent(s) without giving up their legal rights and responsibilities towards their child.
The Healthy Family Program (HFP) has been renewed so that services are more inclusive, preventative, and centered around culture. Many communities in each NWT region have an HFP, and it is open universally to anyone who has young children (prenatal to age six) that is interested in learning and sharing about children and caregiving.
The HFP supports early childhood development by providing information and activities that are fun and free for families.
The HFP offers:
