TESS Partners
TESS is made up of many wonderful and dedicated service providers, front line workers, educators, and first responders across Nova Scotia.
Partnership Structure
Partnerships are structured into three groups, though many partners participate in more than one.
All partner groups align under our philosophies and values.
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The TESS Core Group meets quarterly and is comprised of individuals from agencies that have a mandate to work with victims and survivors or CSEC or sex workers; or encounters them within the context of their mandate (including housing, youth, health & addictions; victim services).
The role of the core group is to:
Identify emerging trends and training needs
Share responsibility for decision making on collective advocacy campaigns
Develop communications policy and strategy for TESS
Contribute to policy development and communications materials
Co-chair on Working Group.
The Core Group meets quarterly.
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The Working Group is made up of any individuals interested in collaborating on policy and program development.
Depending on what projects are being worked on, there are often several ongoing working groups that address various gaps in research or service provision through advocacy and collaboration.
The role of the working group(s) is to:
Identify service needs and gaps
Incubate ideas for new programs and services
Identify training and advocacy needs
These groups meet monthly or on an as-needed basis depending on project needs.
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There are four Regional Groups (Central, North, West, East) made up of front-line workers and individuals who encounter the issue in their professional capacity as well as employees from agencies in the Core and Working Groups.
members of these regional groups come together to:
Exchange knowledge
Network and connect
Provide program and service updates
Identify emergent trends and issues
Share knowledge and resources for best practices.
Each Regional Group meets quarterly.
Current Partners
Association of Black Social Workers
Elizabeth Fry Society of Cape Breton and of Mainland Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia Department of Justice Correctional Services
Government of Nova Scotia Office of L'nu Affairs
Halifax Regional Municipality Safe City & Safe Public Spaces Program
Lilac Place: Resources for Women
Naomi Society for Victims of Violence
Cape Breton Community Housing Association
Government of Nova Scotia Department of Justice Victim Services
Government of Nova Scotia Status of Women Office
IWK Mental Health & Addictions Health Promotion Team
Our House Youth Wellness Centre
Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
Colchester Sexual Assault Centre
Government of Nova Scotia Department of Education & Early Childhood Development
Government of Nova Scotia Department of Opportunity & Social Development
Halifax Regional Centre for Education
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Nova Scotia Native Women's Association
Peer Outreach Support Services & Education
Become a TESS Partner!
As a TESS partner, you’ll receive a quarterly newsletter and have the option to participate in the Core, Working, or Regional groups. There is no required time commitment, our goal is to build a network of people who care about addressing CSEC in Nova Scotia.