Halifax Launches CARE Pilot Program for Non-Emergency Crisis Support
The Halifax Regional Municipality is introducing the CARE pilot program in Dartmouth, Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour to provide trauma-informed support for non-violent mental health and substance use crises.
The Halifax Regional Municipality will launch a new pilot program called CARE (Crisis Assistance and Response) on October 6. The initiative aims to provide in-person, trauma-informed support for individuals aged 16 and older who are experiencing non-emergency, non-violent crises related to mental health, substance use, and personal well-being.
The service is designed as a safe alternative to calling police or other first responders for qualifying situations. CARE staff are trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, suicide prevention, and cultural humility. The implementation of the CARE Team is a direct deliverable of the Public Safety Strategy approved by Regional Council.
Access to the service begins by calling 211. A navigator assesses the situation and dispatches a mobile team if the call meets eligibility criteria. It is important to note that CARE is a consent-based service and does not respond to emergencies involving violence or weapons; residents should continue to call 911 for those situations.
During the initial pilot phase, CARE operates Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The service area includes Dartmouth (within Highway 111), Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour. The program is delivered through partnerships with 211 Nova Scotia, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and the Municipal Community Safety team.
Plans are in place to expand the service to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week by January 2026. The program seeks to fulfill a need for community-led, trauma-informed support identified in the Public Safety Strategy, offering specialized assistance for diverse communities including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and neurodiverse residents.