- More than $3 million in funding provided through the Community Partnership Innovation Grants
- 12 projects will share the funding to deliver local solutions to youth crime.
- The local projects complement the wide range of government programs and initiatives aimed at tackling the complex causes of youth crime.
Tailored intensive case management, early intervention for young people affected by domestic and family violence and after-hours outreach and mentoring are among 12 new projects aimed at addressing youth crime to receive funding from the Palaszczuk Government.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard announced the Community Partnership Innovation Grants today, alongside Logan-based Youth Off The Streets, an organisation that will receive nearly $300,000 to support First Nations, Pasifika and African communities through culturally responsive wrap-around support.
This funding, part of the second round of the grant program, totals more than $3 million in one-off funding for projects to enable local communities to deliver locally designed solutions to tackle the complex causes of youth offending.
Youth Off The Streets’ T-REK program will support young people leaving youth detention centres to return to community through custody transition planning. The program will also work with a number of high schools in Logan to support young people who have been suspended or disengaged from education.
Key to this support is the delivery of community and cultural engagement by First Nations Elders, cultural leaders and local community members.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard:
“Local communities are often the first to see when a young person disconnects from family, stops attending school or shows anti-social behaviour.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Community Partnership Innovation Grants enable grass roots organisations to stop offending before it starts, or reduce offending, to make a real difference to the lives of young people.
“From Logan to Cairns and out to Goondiwindi, the wealth of experience and knowledge local groups have will be put to good use and our Government is proud to partner with them.
“The projects receiving grants complement the wide range of programs and initiatives delivered by State Government agencies to tackle the complex causes of youth crime.
“We are committed to addressing youth crime and recently announced a comprehensive suite of measures, including an additional $100 million in funding for programs proven to make a difference in diverting young people from crime.”
Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Member for Woodridge Cameron Dick:
“The Palaszczuk Government’s funding to Youth Off the Street will allow this great organisation to reconnect young and vulnerable people with our wonderful community.
“These young people are part of our community, they are sons, daughters, friends, brothers and sisters.
“They have experienced a hard time and they need help getting back into education, or securing a job.
“Central to this program are support services for First Nations, Pasifika and African communities.
“I’m proud to be a part of a government that doesn’t give up on those going through a tough time but instead lifts them up while promoting an inclusive, harmonious, and united Queensland – a place where everyone feels welcomed and valued.”
Quotes attributable to Youth Off The Streets’ Acting Director of Youth Support Services Michelle Ackerman:
“This grant funding will allow us to deliver our T-REK program, which stands for Together – Respected, Engaged, Kinnected, over four days a week from our site right here in Logan.
“We will be able to support young people from many cultural backgrounds, who are leaving detention and returning to Logan, with the support they need to re-engage in education and develop age-appropriate living skills.
“T-REK will also support young people who are suspended or disengaged from school and who are at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour, building an early intervention pathway to support young people to achieve their goals.”
