New Youth Development Initiatives New initiatives set to further young people’s development in Gippsland By Latrobe City Council - 28th March 2002 - Back to News Two initiatives to further young people’s development in Latrobe City have been announced by Council. From 1 July, a one-stop shop co-locating a wide variety of services, such as health, welfare, education, training, and legal and statutory services, will open in Morwell; and four youth action centres will open, one each in Moe, Morwell, Traralgon and Churchill.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said it was an exciting time in delivering youth services to the community through two much needed projects.
"The one-stop shop will operate from the Latrobe Personnel premises in Morwell and provide Latrobe youth with a range of services delivered from a single central location in the Latrobe Valley, in an atmosphere that is youth friendly and welcoming. It will be central to train and bus services and to young people throughout the municipality," Cr Jenkins said.
"While a number of these services are already available, they are scattered throughout the Latrobe Valley. This means that young people who tend to rely very much upon public transport to get around, are faced with considerable difficulties when accessing a number of agencies and services. In many cases, young people are referred to another agency, perhaps in another town, and as a consequence of the problems associated with additional travel, fail to follow through. By placing these services together in the one spot, young people can be referred directly onto another service on site," Cr Jenkins said.
One Stop Shop Coordinator, Euan Comrie, said the model of the One Stop Shop was based on the experience of the VISY Centre in Dandenong. "The feedback provided from the VISY Centre is that young people prefer to be able to access the one source for programs and agencies, and the evidence suggests that the level of engagement between young people and the services remains significantly stronger when located in the one place," Mr Comrie said.
"A range of youth services may operate full time from the location, and at times other services visit and are available. Services such as health care are provided, which might include drug and alcohol counselling, sexual assault counselling, depression and suicide counselling, needle exchange, and health education and promotion, and possibly physiotherapy," Mr Comrie said.
"The One Stop Shop might also provide specialist advice including legal, family matters, housing and accommodation services, skills training, employment and career advice, homework support, and Aboriginal-focused services. Training and Workshops including personal development and job skills training, parenting skills, employment training, and accredited training can also made available," Mr Comrie said.
The Latrobe Valley Ministerial Taskforce has provided funds through the Department of Human Services for the establishment of the One Stop Shop.
Mr Comrie said that in addition to the one-stop shop, four Youth Action Centres were in the process of being established and were anticipated to be up and running early in the second half of the year. Funding has been received through the Federal Department of Family and Community Services.
"The Youth Action Centres are aimed at young people’s personal development and developing young people’s skills in the community such as in leadership. Through these centres, they can network and develop up. For example, there may be small business incubator type activities which might encourage computer recycling or the establishment of an Internet Café. They will also be places where young people can meet in a youth friendly environment and plan social activities to benefit the region such as an under-age rage," Mr Comrie said.
"We are also seeking to create a Youth Action Centre committee in each town encouraging young people to have a strong role in the development of programs and activities, which they want. We are also seeking mentors and interested adults to support the Youth Action Centres to support the young people participating in the centres," Mr Comrie added.
For further information, contact Euan Comrie at Latrobe City Youth Services, telephone on 5136 9262.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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