Child Protection Services Concerns

Summary

Chantelle is dealing with wrongful accusations of neglect and drug use by CPS in Nova Scotia. Her children were placed in foster care based on anonymous reports. She is facing delays in drug testing and therapy requirements. Chantelle feels her lawyer is not defending her adequately and suspects collusion between Legal Aid and CPS. She is advised to document everything, seek a change of lawyer, and consider private legal representation. Chantelle is also guided on filing a complaint with the Ombudsman and getting media attention. Resources for pro bono legal assistance and tips for contacting journalists are provided.

Full Conversation

I'm in nova scotia Canada, Im dealing with family law, against CPS, I have been wrongfully accused of neglecting my children and drug use in my home, my children were removed from the hone abouy 3 months ago and placed into foster care without any actual evidence against me or my partner, they are going of anonymous reports and hear say and are telling us that is enough to support their side. We have waited over 6 months for drug testing to be done, and now they say only one nurse in all of the province us able to conduct drug testing, which cannot be true. We only have till march 7th and i feel like they are purposely delaying out case. Now they are saying i have to wait for one of their therapists to complete my therapy requirement when im already doing the betterhelp program. Do i have to go through their programs if i have found similar programs on my own?
Hi ****,
In Nova Scotia, CPS (Child Protection Services) follows specific guidelines and procedures. Here are a few points to consider:
- **Program Requirements**: Often, CPS requires participation in their specified programs to ensure standardized care and monitoring.
- **Alternative Programs**: You can request to use an alternative program, but it must typically be approved by CPS.
~Family Court of Nova Scotia
Phone: (*) *-*
Address: * Upper Water Street, Halifax, NS B3J 1S7
Website: www.courts.ns.ca

Have you consulted with a family lawyer to explore your rights and options regarding alternative programs?
Yes but my lawyer hasn't done anything to defend me or help she just agrees with everything cps has said
Hi ****,
Given your situation, here are some steps you may consider:
- **Request a Change of Lawyer**: If you feel your lawyer is not representing your interests, you have the right to request a different one.
- **Document Everything**: Keep detailed records of all interactions with CPS and your lawyer.
- **Seek a Second Opinion**: Consult another family lawyer for advice.
Would you like to know more about how to request a change of lawyer?
Yes please
To request a change of lawyer in Nova Scotia, here are the steps you can follow:
*. **Contact Legal Aid**: If your lawyer was appointed through Legal Aid, contact them to request a new lawyer.
*. **File a Complaint**: Contact the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society to file a complaint against your current lawyer.
*. **Self-Representation**: Consider representing yourself temporarily until you secure new legal representation.
Would you like information on how to contact Legal Aid or the Barristers’ Society?
What if i feel legal aid and cps work together?
Hi ****,
If you feel that Legal Aid and CPS are working together, consider these steps:
- **Private Legal Representation**: Seek a private lawyer outside of Legal Aid.
- **Ombudsman Complaint**: File a complaint with the provincial Ombudsman for an independent review.
- **Media Attention**: Sometimes public attention can bring accountability.
Would you like details on how to file a complaint with the Ombudsman in Nova Scotia?
Yes please
To file a complaint with the Ombudsman in Nova Scotia, you can follow these steps:
*. **Contact the Office**: Reach out to the Ombudsman's office to discuss your concerns.
*. **Submit a Complaint**: Fill out and submit a complaint form, providing all relevant details and documentation.
*. **Follow Up**: Keep track of your complaint status.
~Office of the Ombudsman of Nova Scotia
Phone: *-*-*-*
Address: * Spring Garden Road, Suite *, Halifax, NS B3J 1H6
Website: www.novascotia.ca/ombu

Would you like information on finding private legal representation?
Yes please
To find private legal representation in Nova Scotia, consider the following steps:
*. **Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Directory**: Use their online directory to find private lawyers specializing in family law.
*. **Referrals**: Ask for recommendations from trusted friends or family members.
*. **Consultations**: Schedule consultations with multiple lawyers to find one that meets your needs.
Would you like more information on how to use the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Directory?
Yes please
To use the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Directory for finding private legal representation, follow these steps:
*. **Visit the Website**: Go to the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society website: www.nsbs.org.
*. **Search Directory**: Use the lawyer directory search tool to find lawyers by name, location, or area of practice.
*. **Contact Lawyers**: Reach out to selected lawyers to discuss your case and schedule consultations.
Would you like more details on how to prepare for consultations with potential lawyers?
Yes
To prepare for consultations with potential lawyers, consider these steps:
*. **Gather Documentation**: Collect all relevant documents related to your case, including correspondence with CPS, court orders, and any evidence supporting your position.
*. **List Questions**: Prepare a list of questions regarding their experience, strategy, fees, and availability.
*. **Case Summary**: Prepare a concise summary of your case to discuss with the lawyer.
Would you like more tips on what questions to ask during your consultation?
Is there any lawyers in nova scotia that do cases pro bono besides legal aid
Hi ****,
Here are some resources for finding pro bono legal assistance in Nova Scotia outside of Legal Aid:
- **Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)**: Offers free legal services through law students supervised by lawyers. Visit their website: [PBSC](https://www.probonostudents.ca/)
- **Dalhousie Legal Aid Service**: Provides legal assistance for low-income individuals. Contact them at (*) *-*.
Would you like more information on any of these resources?
How to get attention of media?
To get the attention of the media, consider these steps:
*. **Press Release**: Write a concise and compelling press release detailing your situation.
*. **Contact Journalists**: Reach out to journalists who cover family law or social justice.
*. **Social Media**: Use social media platforms to share your story and tag relevant media outlets.
*. **Public Campaigns**: Start an online petition or campaign to gather public support.
Would you like tips on writing a press release?
Yes
To write a compelling press release, follow these steps:
*. **Headline**: Create a clear and attention-grabbing headline.
*. **Introduction**: Summarize the main points of your story in the first paragraph.
*. **Details**: Provide detailed information, including names, dates, and locations.
*. **Quotes**: Include quotes from yourself or any supportive figures.
*. **Contact Information**: Provide your contact details for follow-up.
Would you like more details on any specific part of writing a press release?
Where can i contact jounalists
To contact journalists, follow these steps:
*. **Media Outlets**: Identify media outlets that cover family law or social justice issues.
*. **Email Lists**: Look for email lists of journalists on their websites or media directories.
*. **Social Media**: Reach out to journalists on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn.
Would you like more information on specific media outlets or journalists in Nova Scotia?