Case Management & Training

What is Mi’kmaq Case Management?

Case Management is a new program for indigenous Social Clients in all 13 Mi’kmaw

Communities. Case Management helps reduce barriers while empowering clients to achieve

their goals by enhancing their talents, building their skills, continuing their education, and

developing job readiness skills or strengthening their Mi’kmaw cultural knowledge while creating

appropriate support systems to help them pursue their future dreams one step at a time.

What is the client assessment and how does it help?

Every eligible social client resident who is interested in case management is required to

complete an easy assessment with help from the Case Manager. This step will help the Case

Manager and Social Development Administrator determine how case management will be able

to assist the client based on their input and ideas.

How is Mi’kmaq Case Management administered?

Case Management is administered jointly by Social Development Administrators (SDAs) and

Case Managers hired by the Band Councils. The SDAs and Case Managers use a new client

software system named MSGA to manage the client’s application, personal assessment, case

plan and funding commitments to support the clients.

What is the MSGA?

“MSGA” is the Mi’kmaq Social Governance Application. It is a new software program developed

by Membertou Geomatics Solutions in collaboration with the SDAs, MNP, Ontario Native

Welfare Administrators Association, and Ta’n Etli-tpi’tmk staff over the last five years. Social

clients participated in planning sessions to help create the social client assessment module! The

new software program developed to support the implementation of self-government over a new

Mi’kmaq social assistance program in all Mi’kmaq communities in Mi’kma’ki.

How is my personal information protected?

All client information is protected and held as confidential at all times. The MSGA system was

developed around OCAP principles which means Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession.

Client information is held in a secure data base at the Membertou Data Centre.

How do I apply?

Call the Social Department in your community and request an appointment with the Case

Manager. During your appointment, you will be guided by a series of questions to start the

application process which may take up to 20-30 mins. This information will be imputed into the

Mi’kmaq MSGAM Software application which the Social Development Administrator (SDA) will

review for approval. Once the application has been approved, the Case Manager will request

another session with you to collaborate on building your very own personalized Case Plan

where they will help identify and set goals based on the results of the questionnaire completed

to complete the application process.

If I am not approved for case management, can I re-apply?

Yes, if an active social client is not selected in one period, they will remain on an active client

waiting list until funding is available.

What does a Case Manager do?

Case Managers are client advocates! Case Managers work with you to help the client achieve

their goals. For example, Case Managers are responsible for collaborating with the social client

to build and implement a case plan in a respectful, non-judgemental manner. The Case

Manager will work with you to achieve the targeted goals. Case Managers will arrange group

workshops or sessions based on the client’s needs, arrange referrals, help receive services and

provide the proper advocacy in pursuing personal goals and successes.

If I am a non-indigenous social client living on reserve, how do I access case

management services?

Non-status persons ordinarily living on reserve as part of a Mi’kmaq family and in receipt of

social assistance benefits from a Band will be able to meet with a Case Manager to discuss

their training and employment goals. The Case Managers will help refer non-status clients to

relevant provincial and federal programs available to Nova Scotians and Canadians.

Do you have a vision of the person you dream of becoming?

Everyone seeks an improved quality of life. Those within our Mi’kmaw communities who require

assistance with meeting fundamental needs such as food, clothing, and shelter for themselves

and their families can now join this ground-breaking program. Designed by our Mi’kmaw people

for our Mi’kmaw people.

If you have a passion and are unsure how to start, we can help to guide you to make it a reality!