What is the IWK African Nova Scotian Service (ANSS)?
The IWK African Nova Scotian Service (ANSS) treats African Nova Scotian children, youth, and their families up until the youth's 19th birthday. The service is designed to assist with meeting the needs of historical African Nova Scotian families who have been underrepresented within traditional Mental Health and Addiction services. Our goal is to provide culturally relevant responsive care for African Nova Scotian children and youth within a family-focused context to increase meaningful engagement in services.
What does the IWK ANSS offer?
- Individual and family Mental Health and Addiction services
- Mental Health and Addiction education
- Mental Health and Addiction treatment groups
- Community Outreach and resource navigation
The IWK ANSS team
The IWK ANSS team strives to maintain a complement of interprofessional healthcare clinicians from diverse backgrounds including social work, nursing, occupation therapy, recreation therapy, and other healthcare professionals. The ANSS team positions are designated for people of African Nova Scotian ancestry with historical roots in the ANS community.
IWK ANSS staff representation
Relationships with the ANS community are an essential element of service delivery. The ANS community voice has been heard and the IWK is committed to providing culturally informed treatment as a vital component of IWK ANSS. We strive to employ healthcare professionals from the ANS community and those who have a sound cultural understanding of the needs of the ANS community. Cultural representation within IWK ANSS is a necessary component for building trust, breaking barriers, and providing culturally safe and trauma informed care for African Nova Scotia communities.
ANS Community Organization Requests for Partnership opportunities: For children, youth, and family mental health and addictions education, partnership initiatives call 902-429-2677 (ANSS) or
ANSS@iwk.nshealth.ca
Accessing this Clinic, Program or Service
Call Central Referral toll free at 1-855-922-1122.
An Access Navigator will take your information and connect you to the appropriate service. The call takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
- you may ask for ANSS support at first contact
- or you may ask for IWK ANSS support at any point of service