
Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia Serving Families in Eastern Nova Scotia for over 30 years!

History of Child Welfare Services

In 1917, the Diocese of Antigonish opened St. Mary's Home to provide specialized service to children, unmarried mothers and infants. Older children were transferred to Little Flower Institute in 1927. St Mary's Home continued care to unmarried mothers and infants. The name was changed to Mercy Hospital in 1938. In the mid to late 40's the Department of Community Services provided a Social Worker to do the adoptions and placement of children. She worked out of the local regional office. In March, 1951 due ot a fire at St. Rita Hospital the Mercy Hospital had to be used as a general maternity hospital. The institutional care of mothers and infants ceased at that time. A private home program was set up for the mothers and continued until the mid 1970's. The infants were placed in foster homes. The agency, Child Welfare Service was set up in 1951 to continue caring for single mothers and their infants. In the late 1970's the Department of Community Services withdrew their worker and provided funds to hire its own adoption worker. The agency was mandated to be a Child Placing Agency.

In the early 90's there was a change in the mandate of Child Welfare Service where by all adoption placement cases were transferred to the Children's Aid Society of Cape Breton-Victoria County and all "options" counselling became the sole responsibility of Child Welfare Service. In 1997, the Board of Directors of Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia assumed responsibility for Child Welfare Service.

Presently, Child Welfare Service is located at the Central Office of Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia at 164 Charlottle St., Sydney, Nova Scotia.

A qualified social worker is available to provide options counselling, adoption counselling and post-adoption counselling to expectant parents.

Child Welfare Service remains the mandated agency to provide options counselling for those considering adoption placement.

Contact us by email:
David Muise, Executive Director Back to Main Page - Map