Children's Intensive Services (CIS)

About the Service

CIS supports children aged 6 to 12 in Nova Scotia who are experiencing complex emotional, social, or behavioural challenges. We work with families to create personalized care plans that help children succeed at home, in school, and in their community.

Families are referred by their community mental health clinician for more intensive services to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of their child’s behaviour and what may be getting in their way of doing well, including understanding of diagnosis.
• Learn new ways to manage their child’s behaviour.
• Access psychiatric consultation, if needed, as part of the service (including diagnosis and medication review).

Referrals to CIS come from Mental Health and Addictions clinicians.  

Central Referral is available at 1-855-922-1122 for arranging an appointment for mental health and addictions services. You can call yourself or your family doctor can make a referral on your behalf.

How We Help

We provide care in ways that work best for your family, which may include:

• Visits will occur at home or in the community.
• Individual and family therapy.
• Skill-building and support for everyday challenges.
• Working closely with schools and community partners.
• Flexible scheduling and approaches.

Most support happens in the home or community. In some cases, children may join a day or short-term overnight program, depending on what’s most helpful.

Our Approach

At Children’s Intensive Services, we use a team model that includes therapists, youth care workers, nurses, educators, and others. Children's Intensive Services (CIS) uses the Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC) and Connect Model. 

Supports are tailored to the unique needs of each child with services delivered in the environment that best supports lasting impact—often closer to home. We work together with you, to:

• Focus on what’s important to your family.
• Offer the right support at the right time.
• Work with you, not just for you.
• Adjust care as your child’s and family’s needs change.
   

What to Expect

• Visits are scheduled; we’ll work with you to set times that fit your family’s routine.
• Families are part of the team: Your ideas and goals shape the care plan.
• Care is flexible: Plans can change as your needs change.
• You’re not alone: We support children and caregivers throughout the process.

Caregivers' Role

In this program, the caregivers' participation is key to their child's success. We work with caregivers to help them understand and address their child's challenges. We involve them in treatment decisions

• You participate in scheduled sessions.
• Everyone is present and ready to work together.
• You share updates or concerns with your team.
• You help create a calm, safe space for visits.

As part of the CIS treatment, our multidisciplinary team may also work with community partners. For example, our team members may attend community school with the child, or our recreation therapist and the child/caregiver may meet with different organizations, in their home community.

Referring community mental health clinicians stay involved through the child's admission. They also play a role in reviewing the child's progress.