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| From left to right: Hon. Marie-Claude Blais, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Deborah Doherty, Executive Director of PLEIS-NB |
An extremely popular booklet for parents-to-be has been revised, updated and given a new, easier to read format. It offers a wealth of information ranging from rights during pregnancy, to naming the baby and registering the birth, to paternity issues, child support and adoption.
Written in plain language for pregnant teens and young mothers- and fathers-to-be, Parenting: Rights and Responsibilities of Young Parents, tackles a variety of common family law matters and sets out many of the rights and responsibilities associated with pregnancy and becoming a parent. Almost every page includes referrals, website addresses and telephone numbers for useful programs, services and resources for pregnant teens and young parents. The online version offers hyperlinks to these resources and services.
The booklet was first produced by the Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) in 2006. Since that time, changes have occurred to some of the laws and services. For that reason, staff from both provincial and federal government departments reviewed relevant sections of the booklet to ensure the information about their programs and services for young parents was accurate and current. As well, many social service agencies such as the VON, Public Health, Family Resource Centres and others have provided insights and suggestions on meeting the information needs of young parents.
“The booklet consolidates a variety of information that young parents must now seek from numerous different sources,” said PLEIS-NB executive director, Deborah Doherty. “Tracking down up-to-date law information can be time consuming and tedious and many people are not even sure where to start looking. This booklet meets this need while promoting responsible parenting by emphasizing the entitlements of the child and the legal obligations and responsibilities of the parents.”
There is also a section dealing with social assistance as well as the criteria for applying for various benefit programs. The booklet emphasizes parents’ obligation to nurture their children and keep them safe from harm. It includes information about child protection and unhealthy relationships.
“Parenting” is being distributed to libraries and parenting groups and organizations around the province. For more information or to order materials you can email pleisnb@web.ca, or call 506-453-5369, or fax 506-462-5193.
