Current ProjectsLISNS undertakes a broad range of projects. Below are examples of current initiatives. For general information about any of the projects listed or the other work that LISNS engages in, please email our Project Management Officer, Peter Mushkat (projectofficer@legalinfo.org).
Networking Nova Scotians
The internet presents unprecedented opportunities for sharing information and resources among Nova Scotia's many non-profit organizations and registered charities. Recognizing this, LISNS has created the YourLaw web portal - an online commons for organizations with a stake in the law. Does your group have a concern with legal issues? If so, visit www.yourlaw.ns.ca to find out more. Members of YourLaw can create private or public groups, take part in online discussions, share files, and network with other agencies and organizations in Nova Scotia. The YourLaw project is supported by the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia and Justice Canada. For additional information about this project, visit us online, or contact the Project Officer at yourlaw@legalinfo.org.
Family Law Information Project for Abused Women (FLIPAW)
Project partners are: LISNS, the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia, the Women's Innovative Justice Initiative, and the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women. On December 5, 2008 LISNS launched “Safely on Your Way: Child Custody and Access Information for Women Leaving Abusive Relationships and Their Service Providers”. Safely on Your Way is an essential resource for women with children who are leaving an abusive relationship. It provides legal information for women in the post-separation stage who are trying to deal with custody and access issues, focusing on information women need to keep themselves and their children safe. FLIPAW is funded in part by the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia, IWK Health Foundation and Justice Canada. In-kind support is provided by the NS Department of Justice, Pro Bono Law Students Association and the project partners listed above. Click here to download 'Safely on Your Way'.
Pensions Roadmap LISNS is developing materials that will inform Seniors and those responsible for overseeing the financial affairs of Seniors about the legal rights and issues associated with pensions. These would include Federal entitlements (OAS; CPP; and GIS); Provincial; and, in a general way, private pensions. It will also include information about dealing with RRSPs when the time comes to use them. The Pensions Roadmap will include directions to information currently available from other sources relating to pensions and an overview of the law and legal issues relating to pensions. This material will be available online; in print; and on CD-ROM and will be of interest to Seniors and those who are looking after the financial affairs of Seniors. We expect to have this information available by January, 2009. If you would like to be notified when it is, send an email to: pensionsinfo@legalinfo.org.
Family Violence Issues - How to reach Minority Communities LISNS has long recognized the need to provide information for hard-to-reach communities – in particular new immigrants and first nations – about the law and Family Violence issues. This project will develop an understanding of the barriers that need to be overcome; the specific needs of these communities; what tools exist in other jurisdictions; and recommendations for future initiatives that will provide the necessary information to these communities in Nova Scotia. The needs assessment will focus on identifying effective delivery methods that use non-traditional methods for communicating this information to “hard to reach” communities. Ultimately, the goal is to identify novel platforms that can break through the linguistic, cultural, and other barriers existing for communities which have low literacy levels or for whom neither English nor French is their first language or other impediments to communication such as culture or tradition and to identify the best practices to communicate with “hard to reach” communities about legal issues relating to Family Violence and thereby provide them with the knowledge necessary to protect victims from possible harm and communities from the repercussions of violence. If you would like more information about this project, please email: mc-assessment@legalinfo.org.
Seniors Legal Planning Information Kit
The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) and the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA) have partnered and obtained funding from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) to develop a Seniors Legal Planning Information Kit. The project’s objective is to increase Seniors awareness and knowledge of the issues to consider when arranging their legal affairs and to help protect them against financial abuse, fraud, and exploitation.
Although specifically directed towards seniors and their caregivers, the project will also be of interest to concerned relatives and friends, as well as all others who provide services to seniors. The Seniors Legal Planning Information Kit project will:
- Develop and test a Seniors Legal Planning Information Kit in both English and French.
- Conduct free province-wide information sessions in every county and regional municipality.
- Produce a video of an information session to reach those who cannot participate in person.
- Create promotional materials and a multi-media awareness campaign for the Kit.
We plan to have the kit ready for distribution, free of charge to the public, in the Spring of 2010. If you would like to be notified when it is available or if you would like further information about the project, please contact the Project Officer for the Seniors’ Legal Planning Information Kit at seniorsinfo@legalinfo.org.
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