New community crisis service launching in Dartmouth, Woodlawn and Cole Harbour

Starting Oct. 6, residents in Dartmouth, Woodlawn and Cole Harbour will have access to a new community service called CARE - Crisis Assistance and Response.

CARE is a pilot program that provides in-person support for people 16 and older experiencing non-emergency, non-violent crises related to mental health, substance use and personal well-being. The service offers a safe, trauma-informed alternative to calling police or other first responders when that may not be the best fit.

About CARE

• Provides in-person help when someone is in distress.
• Offers support such as:
  • calming and de-escalating a crisis
  • making a safety plan
  • helping someone get to a safe place
  • connecting people to community supports after the crisis

CARE staff are specially trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, suicide prevention and cultural humility. They are prepared to respond respectfully and effectively to people from diverse communities, including African Nova Scotians, Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse residents.

Implementation and partnerships

Implementation of the CARE Team is a direct deliverable of the Regional Council-approved Public Safety Strategy. It will fulfill the need for community-based, trauma-informed support that is community-led.

The CARE Team pilot program is delivered through partnership with:

• 211 Nova Scotia - first point of contact and call assessment
• Souls Harbour Rescue Mission - provides the mobile CARE Team
• Municipal Community Safety team - oversees the program, evaluation and coordination

Service hours and pilot area

In the pilot phase, the CARE Team operates:

• Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Serving Dartmouth (within the circumferential highway - Highway 111), Woodlawn and Cole Harbour

As part of the phased pilot project, the service will expand to 24 hours a day, seven days a week in January 2026.

How to access CARE

• Call 211. A trained navigator will assess the situation and, if it qualifies for CARE, dispatch a mobile CARE team from Souls Harbour.
• The CARE Mobile Team will then come in-person to provide support.

Important: CARE is a consent-based service. It does not respond to emergencies involving violence or weapons. In those cases, call 911.

For more information about the CARE program, visit our website.