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Initiatives targeting Recommendation 19QueenslandSchool-Community Conferencing The Community Accountability Conferencing process is now known as School Community Conferencing (CSC) and is a process for bringing together people in a school community who have been affected by an incident. Conferencing usually involves the student responsible for the incident, the victim, supporters of the student and the victim and other people affected by the incident. This process allows all parties in a situation where there has been a breach of acceptable behaviour to come together and to discuss the impact that such behaviour has on all concerned and jointly to determine a course of action. More than 100 state schools have participated in first a trial and then a pilot of conferencing since 1995. A range of school community members subsequently trained as conference coordinators. Target group: Indigenous youth at risk Coverage: State wide with localised activities. Timeframe: Ongoing 2001/2002 Responsible Agency: Education Queensland Contact: Contact local school or District Office for further details Website: www.education.qld.gov.au Local School-Community Initiatives A number of Cape York and Torres Strait Communities have incorporated Elders Justice Groups into school behaviour management processes. Issues regarding attendance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at remote community schools continue to be addressed. For example, the clan group affiliation model of classroom arrangement has continued at Aurukun. Other local school-community initiatives have also been developed including transition programs, ‘Adopt-an-Elder’ programs, and outstations. Target group: Indigenous students, particularly those at risk. Coverage: State wide with localised school-community activities, particularly on Cape and Gulf communities and Torres Strait Island communities. Timeframe: Ongoing 2001/2002 Responsible agency: Education Queensland Contact: Contact local school or District Office for further details Website: www.education.qld.gov.au HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexual Health Website for Young People As well as providing information to "at risk" young people, the site includes a simulated sexual health check which seeks to improve access to sexual health services for all young people particularly those at risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C & sexual health infections. Target group: Young people 12-17 years. Coverage: Queensland Timeframe: 2002 onwards Responsible agency: Queensland Health Contact: Principal Program Advisor Website: www.istaysafe.com Young Parents Support Program The Young Parents Support Program seeks to improve the health and well being of young pregnant women, young parents and their children by increasing their access to health and other services through employing youth workers in non-government organisations. Target Group: Young pregnant women and young parents Coverage: Gold Coast, Logan-Beaudesert, Sunshine Coast and Cairns Timeframe: Ongoing to 2003 Responsible Agency: Queensland Health Contact: Community Services Manager, Southern Zone Website: www.health.qld.gov.au Innovative Health
Services for Homeless Young People and Health Services for Disadvantaged
Young People These Commonwealth and State funded programs deliver outreach and bridging clinical services, innovative health promotion and harm minimization programs through eight community based agencies for young people aged 12-25 years that are homeless or at risk of homelessness. These programs provide a youth friendly contact and referral point for disenfranchised young people. Target group: Young people aged 12-25 years that are homeless or at risk of homelessness Coverage: Mt Isa, Woolloongabba, Fortitude Valley, Cairns, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Logan/Woodridge and the Gold Coast Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Queensland Health Contact: Community Services Manager, Southern Zone Rumble in the Jungle The 100% IN CONTROL Rumble in the Jungle is a sport and adventure-based program that looks at crime prevention and alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues for at risk young people. It consists of team-based physical and mental challenges developed around an adventure activity course. Young people are involved in the planning, decision-making and implementation of the event. This is not a one-off event. During the lead up to main activities, team members participate in team building activities, training events, alcohol, tobacco and other drug education sessions and activities that facilitate the development of trust and team building. Participants follow an extensive team building and self esteem process which includes being introduced to staff of various youth services in their local areas. Rumble in the Jungle planning and implementation often occurs through the development of local organising committees or other partnership groups. Target Group: At risk young people 12-17 years of age Coverage: State wide Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible Agency: Queensland Health Contact: Senior Project Officer Website: www.100incontrol.com The Community Renewal Program - Partnership in Prevention Project Issues relating to the inclusion of youth in the process of regenerating disadvantaged communities and assisting local youth to develop their lives in positive and constructive ways are key priorities for this program. Most initiatives represent a new approach to meet the needs of the communities and therefore function as pilots to test innovative solutions to social policy issues. The dominant theme of the youth projects funded by the Community Renewal Program is building self-esteem and creating pathways with other residents and agencies in the local community. The Partnership in Prevention Project provides drug and alcohol education programs. targets Target group: Young people and their families with a focus on early intervention and prevention. Coverage: Three Brisbane High Schools Timeframe: Two years Responsible agency: Department of Housing Contact: Senior Project Officer
Dept of Families Website: www.housing.qld.gov.au The Community Renewal Program
- Fostering Self-Esteem Project This project provides educational activities for young people during the school holiday period. Activities aim to break down barriers between youth and police, raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse, introduce youth to crime prevention education, encourage participation in sporting recreational activities to relieve boredom and self-worthlessness and enhance the multi-agency approach to addressing issues in Manoora. Target group: Young people in the Manoora community Coverage: Manoora Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Housing Contact: Senior Project Officer
Queensland Police Service Website: www.housing.qld.gov.au Ph: (07) 4040 4926 The Community Renewal Program - West Cairns Youth Development Project This project funds a Youth Development Worker to bring together young people (aged 10-18), their families and broader community to create opportunities for the development of youth leadership. Target group: Young people aged 10 – 18 years old Coverage: Manoora, Queensland Timeframe: 2002 Responsible agency: Department of Housing Contact: Senior Project Officer Dept of Families Website: www.housing.qld.gov.au Youth at Risk Outreach Services Youth at Risk Outreach Services (YAROS) aim to divert young people from risk taking behaviour including sex exchange and prevent their entry to the formal sex industry. YAROS provide a range of services including outreach, support and practical assistance, health information, needle exchanges, skills development, peer support, information and referral and counselling. Most of the YAROS are located within large, multi-functional youth services, so that clients have access to a range of supports. Target group: Young people involved in sex exchange and/or at risk of entering the formal sex industry. Coverage: Brisbane, Logan, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Mt Isa and Cairns. Timeframe: Commenced in 1993 and currently funded on a triennial basis until 2004 Responsible agency: Department of Families Contact: Director Website: www.families.qld.gov.au Youth Crime Prevention Services Funding is provided to community organisations to contribute to the reduction in youth crime through the provision of programs that address the factors that contribute to youth offending or re-offending. Young people have the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential and participate in family and community life, through the delivery of programs and services that address the underlying causes of offending. Target group: Young people aged 10-17 years at risk of offending or re-offending Coverage: 25 services in areas of high youth crime across the State Timeframe: Commenced in 1992 and is ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Families Contact: Director Website: www.families.qld.gov.au 'Which Way You Mob' Project The Aboriginal Coordinating Council (ACC) based in Cairns is funded to coordinate prevention and intervention services for Indigenous young people at risk in Far North Queensland remote communities. The project provides assistance to communities to plan and implement activities that strengthen the ties between young people, their families and their communities. A number of funding rounds have been conducted to support developmental activities in communities (Youth Activity Grants). Funding processes have been timed to coincide with school holidays, which traditionally have been peak periods for offending or substance abuse. A broad range of sports, social, recreational and arts/cultural activities have been funded. Approximately one third of the funds have been allocated to arts and cultural activities. In addition, project staff based within the ACC have assisted communities establish Youth Councils, undertake youth action planning processes, and develop planned responses to community crises such as suicide and petrol sniffing. Target group: Youth at risk of suicide, self-harm and offending within the target communities. However, strategies may involve a range of stakeholders including families, service providers, young people, community councillors and the broader community. Coverage: Thirteen of the fourteen Queensland Deed of Grant in Trust (DOGIT) communities are resourced by this project. Other remote communities in the Northern Peninsula receive support through regional initiatives undertaken by the project. Timeframe: 1999/2002 Responsible agency: Department of Families Contact: Director Website: www.families.qld.gov.au Queensland Government Youth
Suicide Prevention Strategy The aim of the QGYSPS is "to prevent self-harming behaviour, particularly youth suicide, and to reduce the impact of youth suicide on families and communities through coordinated and integrated life affirming strategies which enhance the quality of life for young people, their families and their communities". The cornerstone of the QGYSPS is the establishment of local community networks to strengthen the capacity of families and communities to take ownership of suicide prevention and respond to the needs of young people at the local level. The QGYSPS identified a range of strategies for communities to consider across the spectrum of prevention, early intervention, treatment, and postvention. Target group: Young people aged 15-24 years of age Coverage: state wide Timeframe: ongoing Responsible agency: The Queensland Government Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy is a whole of Government initiative that is chaired by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and involves the Department of Employment and Training, Queensland Health, Education Queensland, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and the Department of Families. Contact: Director Website: www.youth.qld.gov.au Local Justice Initiatives Program This program aims to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous peoples within the criminal justice system. With the funding provided, communities often form a community justice group that develops local responses to the justice priorities within their communities. A number of justice groups work proactively with the young people of the community, in particular by diverting them from the criminal justice system. Organisations funded under this program form part of a community-based, holistic approach to service delivery within their communities. Target group: Indigenous peoples with or at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. Coverage: State wide Timeframe: Annual funding with some groups participating for the past five years Responsible agency: Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Contact: Manager Website: www.indigenous.qld.gov.au Community Employment Assistance
Program Community organisations are funded to provide intensive employment and training assistance including post placement support/mentoring. Grants totalling $19 million were approved for 352 projects throughout Queensland for organisations to assist 15,507 long-term unemployed people gain better skills and more job opportunities with 5,826 gaining jobs. 40% of those assisted were youth and 37% who gained employment were youth. Target group: Long-term unemployed and those at risk of being long term unemployed. Coverage: State wide Timeframe: The program is funded over six financial years to 30 June 2004. Responsible agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Community Employment Programs Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au Get Set for Work Intensive training and employment assistance and wage subsidy for project participants who gain employment. Target group: Unemployed early school leavers aged 15-24 years in communities of high youth unemployment. Coverage: 35 projects worth $2.94 million have been approver assisting 952 participants. 89 youths have already gained employment. Activity is limited to 15 areas across the State identified as experiencing high levels of youth unemployment. Timeframe: The program is funded from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002 Responsible agency: Department of Employment and Training Contact: Manager Community Employment Programs Website: www.employment.qld.gov.au Yindingi Gibar (young messengers) Indigenous Youth Leadership Conference 2001 The 5 day conference, held at the Bunya Mountains (a traditional gathering place) provided an opportunity for young Indigenous people to share their success stories, challenges and experiences. It promoted and provided young people with skills development workshops and strategies for dealing with community issues. Target group: Indigenous young people aged between 15 and 35 years Coverage: state Time frame: 2001 Responsible agency: Hosted by the Office of Youth Affairs, Department of Employment and Training and sponsored by Arts Queensland and the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services. Contact: Director Website: http://www.youth.qld.gov.au/ The Youth Alcohol and Drug Action Group The Queensland Drug Coordinating Committee oversees the implementation of Beyond A Quick Fix, The Queensland Drug Strategic Framework. A Special Purpose Working Group named Youth Alcohol and Drug Action has been established with representation from the Department of Employment and Training, the Department of Families, Queensland Health, Queensland Police Service, the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, Education Queensland, Arts Queensland and other community / government representation as needed. This working group considers and makes recommendations in response to youth drug and alcohol issues identified through both government and community consultation strategies. Target group: Young people aged 12-25 years Coverage: State Timeframe: The Youth Alcohol and Drug Action group was established in November 2000 and is ongoing Responsible agency: Office of Youth Affairs, Department of Employment and Training Contact: Director Website: http://www.youth.qld.gov.au/ Peer Support System The program is for Indigenous prisoners who require personal support to cope with issues relating to incarceration. The program is offered at Townsville Correctional Centre and Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in Mareeba. The department also provides opportunities for peer support to non-Indigenous prisoners, particularly young offenders, who may be at risk within all correctional centres. Target group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders including youth Coverage: Statewide Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Corrective Services Contact: Adviser Workplace Practices Website: www.dcs.qld.gov.au The Elder Visits Program The Elder Visits Program sees Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders visit offenders in correctional centres. They regularly meet young offenders for non-structured meetings sharing news about their families and providing updates on community events, aiding their cultural awareness and personal development. In the case of the youth detention centre they provide assistance where applicable in the transition from youth to adult facilities. Target group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders including youth Coverage: Elder groups are located in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton and Cherbourg Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Corrective Services Contact: Adviser Workplace Practices Website: www.dcs.qld.gov.au Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Literacy Program Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners participate in literacy assessment and training in all correctional centres. During 2001, 321 Indigenous prisoners participated in literacy education programs state wide. This number represents an Indigenous participation rate of 24%. Target group: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offenders including youth Coverage: Townsville Timeframe: Ongoing Responsible agency: Department of Corrective Services Contact: Adviser Workplace Practices Website: www.dcs.qld.gov.au |
