Earlier this week, Minister of Health and Social Services, Diane Thom, tabled the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (CFS) in the Legislative Assembly.
The report provides data on child and family services program delivery throughout the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to share with the Members of this Legislative Assembly my reflections as a new Minister of Health and Social Services.
I have spent my first few weeks as Minister receiving a series of comprehensive briefings from both the Department of Health and Social Services and the Health and Social Services Authorities. I have had the opportunity to meet with the Leadership Council, senior management, as well as staff.
The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is pleased to announce the official launch of the travelling workshop, The Dope Experience, developed for Northwest Territories (NWT) youth covering topics such as substance use, mental wellness, and community health.
The Government of the Northwest Territories has released a renewed territorial action plan, Working Together II – An Action Plan to Reduce Poverty in the NWT 2019-2022, to help guide work with partners, communities and residents to reduce poverty and promote wellness priorities.
The new action plan highlights the initiatives and activities that partners have identified as key to working together to reduce poverty in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Seniors and Elders hold a unique place throughout our Territory. They are our mentors and caregivers, and the wealth of knowledge and wisdom they provide is beneficial to all Northwest Territories’ residents. Seniors and Elders are also the fastest growing population in the NWT, and there is a need to understand how our government programs and services are supporting them now and into the future.
Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling the Child and Family Services Quality Improvement Plan. The Quality Improvement Plan sets out actions that we are taking to address issues identified as part of our internal reviews, the 2018 Auditor General’s Report and from feedback from staff, Indigenous governments and other stakeholders in our system.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Glen Abernethy, released the Child and Family Services System’s Quality Improvement Plan, and online Progress Tracker today.
Mr. Speaker, the demand for safe, affordable and locally-grown food choices continues to rise in the Northwest Territories and is a topic that our government is actively addressing as part of the Government of the Northwest Territories Agriculture Strategy.
Effective today, the Department of Health and Social Services’ Office of the Chief Public Health Officer has introduced changes to the current NWT Food Establishment Safety Regulations (‘Regulations’).
Glen Abernethy, Minister of Health and Social Services announced that intranasal Naloxone is now available anonymously and free of charge at clinics, pharmacies, health centres and hospitals in all 33 NWT communities. Intranasal Naloxone is a nasal spray that counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose and is typically used in an emergency situation until medical help arrives.
