GN launches social services review

What types of prevention and support programs should be in place to ensure that Nunavut’s children are safe?

And how can Nunavut’s social services better reflect Inuit culture and traditional practices?

These are some of the questions the Government of Nunavut’s health and social services department is asking, in order to better serve the territory, it says.

Nunavummiut can fill out a social services review over the next two months, as part of a public consultation launched by the GN on Sept. 2.

Health officials say the feedback will be used to ensure Nunavut’s children are better protected and their families better supported, by way of a revised child and family services act.

“We want to hear everyone’s voice during this process,” said Tagak Curley, Nunavut’s health and social services minister, in a Sept. 2 news release. “In order to do that, we have ensured that every person, regardless of the language they speak, literacy level, or access to technology, can provide input into the social services review.”

The goal of the public consultation is to ensure the perspectives of Nunavummiut, Inuit knowledge and family values are incorporated into child protection legislation, Curley said.

Nunavummiut can provide feedback in each of Nunavut’s four official languages.

Between now and November 15, residents can:

– fill out a survey online at www.socialservicesreview.gov.nu.ca ;

– email feedback to socialservicesreview@gov.nu.ca ;

– leave a voice message at 1-877-771-4449;

– fill out a paper questionnaire available in health centres or Inuit organizations’ regional offices;

– attend a one of several community meetings that will be announced and held this fall.