13 Jan 2021
Projects will support health and law professionals, families, and children to recognize the signs and prevent family violence
OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 25, 2020 /CNW/ – Family violence is a public health issue with serious and lasting impacts on the physical and mental health of survivors. Violence of any kind is unacceptable, and the Government of Canada is taking action to help prevent family violence and support those who have been affected. According to Canadian police data, family violence accounts for close to one third of reported violent crime in Canada.
Today, as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence start with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural and Economic Development, announced more than $3.4 million to support three initiatives aimed at preventing family violence and supporting survivors.
The University of Western Ontario will build the capacity of up to 15,000 practitioners and professionals from the health, violence prevention and family law sectors. Through the development of training and cross-sectoral collaboration opportunities, this project will contribute to the goal of protecting the health and safety of survivors of family violence and those at risk.
The Child Development Institute will help organizations deliver the Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) program across the country, reaching up to 900 SNAP-trained clinicians and professionals, including police, child welfare, government, education and Elders. SNAP is an evidence-based, cognitive behavioural model that provides a framework for teaching effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills to children struggling with behavioural issues and their parents.
The Canadian Association of Midwives will build the capacity of non-Indigenous and Indigenous midwives to assist in safeguarding the health and safety of survivors of family violence and those at risk. Through this program, they will directly train 440 midwives across Canada and reach up to 1,850 midwives through various activities, reaching more than 18,000 women per year. Participants will be trained to help spot signs of family violence and provide assistance to victims.
Quotes
“Family violence is often hidden from public view, making it harder to stop or prevent. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing additional risk for children and families at risk of violence, with the combination of additional stress and services that can be more difficult to access. These projects will provide training and support so service providers can continue to protect those at risk of family violence and to support survivors of family violence.”The Honourable Patty HajduMinister of Health
“When kids are safe, when families are healthy, when women are thriving, we all benefit. This program is part of a government-wide effort to address and prevent gender based violence. I congratulate all involved and thank them for their commitment to this important work.”The Honourable Maryam MonsefMinister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development
“Indigenous midwives have an intimate knowledge of our communities, and the systemic roots of violence. This project will enable midwives to harness our knowledge and expand our capacity to address the harms of colonial violence by working with clients who are living its legacy.”Claire Dion FletcherCo-Chair, National Aboriginal Council of Midwives (NACM)
“Continuity of care is a foundational principle of Canadian midwifery, enabling midwives to build trusting relationships with their clients and families. Midwives are in a unique position to recognize and respond to intimate partner violence in a constructive, socially-responsive and trauma-informed way. This project will enable us to amplify and adapt existing knowledge and resources for our primary care providers for the benefit of generations to come.”Alixandra BaconPresident, Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM)
“Child Development Institute is delighted to have this opportunity from Public Health Agency of Canada to bring together SNAP Affiliate sites across Canada to exchange and enhance knowledge on effectively changing the landscape of children’s mental health. Our mission for SNAP’s Community of Practice (CoP) is to provide a system of informed evidence-based SNAP services throughout Canada. SNAP focuses on addressing child’s behavioural concerns and the associated child and family’s risks through a gender equitable lens. The SNAP CoP will help to provide the needed supports to reduce the probability of violence within the home and community by decreasing antisocial behaviours.”Leena Augimeri, PhDDirector, SNAP International HeadquartersChild Development Institute
“Survivors of family violence face tremendous barriers in accessing support in family court that is trauma-informed and sensitive to their needs and the risks they face. Inadequate understanding of this violence often intensifies and extends the negative health impact on survivors. Our project will build communities of practice across Canada to foster collaboration and build relationships among experts from the family violence and family law sectors together with the voices and perspectives of survivors. Working with research centres and networks across the country, we will be developing evidence-based guidance and resources. These needs are even more pressing in the face of COVID-19 with increasing family violence and greater challenges accessing the courts.” Peter JaffeAcademic Director, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women & ChildrenWestern University
Quick Facts
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Midwives must be licensed by the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia. The Registrar of the Council issues licences in the following classes:
Subclasses within the active-practicing licence class:
In accordance with the Regulations Respecting Midwifery and the policies of the Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia, midwives must hold an active-practicing (clinical) licence to engage in the clinical practice of midwifery. Midwives who are not engaged in clinical practice but work in the fields of research, education, consultation, management, administration, regulation, policy or system development relating to the practice of midwifery, as defined in the Midwifery Act, may hold an active-practising (non-clinical) licence.
Criteria for entry in the active practicing roster (clinical and non-clinical) are:
Personal contact information is used by the Council for direct contact with members, and is not released to the general public. The Council does maintain a public roster that includes all practice and professional information on each member.
It is important that you keep the Council informed of any changes to your contact information so that we may contact you regarding your application and registration.
In order to be eligible for registration you must be either a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or authorized under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in open employment in Canada. You must submit proof of your citizenship, residency or employment authorization along with your application.
In this section, you must list all current and previous professional registration including international registrations, registrations in other Canadian provinces or territories, and registrations in other regulated health professions. Midwives who are or have been registered in other Canadian provinces or territories will need to arrange for letters of professional conduct to be delivered to the Registrar directly from the regulatory body. You will need to sign a consent form to release this information, and complete the request form as required by your regulatory body. For those registered in other jurisdictions or professions copies of your registration certificates or other proof of registration must be attached to your application.
Registered midwives in Nova Scotia must hold a baccalaureate degree from a Canadian university midwifery education program; or have educational qualifications equivalent to this degree.
Please list all of your midwifery education as indicated, and include notarized copies of all degrees, diplomas and certificates earned in these programs. If you are applying for registration as a midwife for the first time since graduating, please attach one original Record of Clinical Experience and arrange for your university to send an official transcript directly to the Registrar.
Registered midwives in Nova Scotia must also complete the Canadian Midwifery Registration Examination (CMRE). Please arrange for the exam results to be sent to the MRCNS.
According to the Regulations, criteria for an active-practicing (clinical) licence are: At least the following practice hours or experience:
The clinical practice of midwifery is defined in the Regulations as the provision of antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn care as a primary care provider. In accordance with the definition of midwifery practice in the Act, midwives may practise either within or outside of a hospital setting.
In accordance with the requirements of the Act, the Regulations and the policies of the Council, midwives who do not fully meet clinical experience requirements may be issued a provisional licence.
Please answer all questions pertaining to your midwifery experience. Please complete and attach Schedule 2 to assist the Registrar in determining and verifying your clinical experience. You will also need to provide three references. At least one of your referees should be able to verify your clinical practice experience.
If you have successfully completed a competency assessment and /or bridging program approved by the Council, you may be eligible for registration. Based on the results of the assessment, the Registrar may issue an active-practicing (clinical) licence or a provisional licence.
Please make arrangements to have your final report sent from the assessment program directly to the Registrar, if this has not already been done on your behalf.
The Council requires that all registrants in the active-practicing (clinical) class be certified in:
Certified instructors of these courses will meet these requirements, provided they have taught at least one course within the time frame required for currency.
Midwives are also required to successfully complete Opioids and Benzodiazapines: Safe Prescribing for Midwives offered through UBC Continuing Professional Development, Faculty of Medicine.
Please attach proof of current certification or instructor status in these continuing competencies.
Questions in this section refer to all previous experience, including experience in another profession or experience that occurred outside of Nova Scotia, or outside of Canada. All questions must be answered “yes” or “no”. For every “yes” answer, you must provide a detailed explanation on an additional sheet of paper attached to the application.
You must ensure that this section is signed and witnessed properly. The witness must be over 18 years of age. The witness is attesting to the fact that they witnessed you signing the form, therefore they must sign at the same time that you do.
A current criminal record check must be requested for your current name, as well as for all previous names by which you have been known. Criminal records checks must be dated within 6 months of their submission to the Registrar.
An original certificate with the regulator’s seal or a notarized copy may be submitted, otherwise, you may obtain one in person or on-line.
Criminal Record Checks for residents of Halifax, Bedford and Dartmouth:
You may apply in person, from Monday to Friday, at:
You must present two pieces of identification with your current address. The address must be within Halifax, Dartmouth or Bedford. Accepted identification: Nova Scotia Driver’s License or Nova Scotia ID Card and one other of: health card, birth certificate, passport, or social insurance number. The Criminal Record check costs $30 and takes approximately 10 days to process.
Important: You must submit the Criminal Record Check to Registrar in its original sealed envelope.
Criminal Record Check on-line:
A Criminal Record Check can be requested online at https://www.mybackcheck.com These online requests take only a few minutes and results are delivered to applicants electronically in less than 24 hours. The fee is $30. These certificates include a serial number. Applicants may e-mail the PDF version of the certificate to the Registrar or notify the Registrar of the serial number on the certificate.
Local Police Departments or RCMP detachments:
Criminal records checks can also be obtained through local police departments or RCMP detachments for the same fee. The results of these checks usually arrive within two weeks. Checks obtained from local police/RCMP must be provided to the Registrar in the original sealed envelope.
You must submit a minimum of three letters of reference from professionals or organizations with whom you have worked as a midwife. At least one of these referees should be able to verify your clinical experience as set out in your application. These three references must be provided by two of the following types of referees:
The enclosed forms should be completed and returned by the referee to the Registrar as follows:
Before submitting your application to the Midwifery Regulatory Council, please ensure that all items on this checklist are complete.
