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 Dear friends, One of my absolute highlights of this year so far was the Sydney Festival performance of Saplings, which was the collaborative project between Youth Action and the Australian Theatre for Young People that centers on young people’s lived experiences of law and the justice system. As you would have seen, we also launched our Youth Justice Throughcare Campaign “A fair go for young people: Invest in young people because the consequences aren’t minor” at the special youth sector performance of Saplings. It was incredible to see over 180 youth sector workers, government representatives and young people come together to support the campaign launch. It is more important now more than ever to highlight the need for investment in supports and services that reduce young people’s contact with the justice system. We would love for you to support the Campaign and share the messages with your networks. You can find out more about the Campaign here. I want to acknowledge the crucial advocacy work undertaken by Absec the peak representing Aboriginal children and families and other Aboriginal stakeholders to address the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out of home care. The NSW Government has recently announced the establishment of the Ministerial Aboriginal Partnership Group with key Aboriginal stakeholder groups. It was announced at the inaugural meeting that was held on the 16th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. I also wanted to share a recent advocacy win. You may remember that one of the recommendations in our 2022 Employment Report was that government utilise the Public Service to create employment opportunities for young people. We were really glad to see that the NSW Government recently announced that they they will employ an additional 1,000 apprentices and trainees across all NSW government agencies and corporations until 30 June 2026 as part of the NSW Public Sector Apprentices and Trainees Program. At the end of 2023 Youth Action submitted our NSW Pre Budget Submission 2024. You can read the submission here. Youth Action would also like to endorse the budget submissions of our Peak colleagues. We know as a sector we are stronger when we advocate together. You can read their submissions below: NSW Council of Social Services DVNSW Fams CREATE Foundation Mental Health Coordinating Council Community Housing Industry Association NSW It can be so hard to talk about ourselves and our achievements, especially with our roles in the youth sector. We don’t do this work to be recognized, or awarded however when we are, it is a show of the youth sector’s critical role in supporting young people. I wanted to thank everyone for the beautiful messages and kind words in response to the Order of Australia (OAM) medal I received for services to young people in this year’s Honours List. It is an incredible honour to receive this award and I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who were involved in the nomination. I also want to say a massive congratulations to Jane Sanders, Principal Solicitor at Shopfront Youth Legal Centre, an organisational member of Youth Action, who was awarded an even more prestigious award, the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her commitment to youth justice. Only 194 people across Australia have received an AM. I have known Jane since we were both on the Youth Justice Coalition in the mid 1990’s. She has been a tireless advocate for young people in the justice system for all those years, and I could not be prouder to see her unwavering commitment recognised. I would also like to congratulate Leticia Quince, our Youth Action Deputy Chair, and Owner and Creative Director of Yirra Miya who has been nominated as a semifinalist in the Channel 7 Youth Achiever Awards for the Mura Gili Indigenous Youth Leadership Award. Leticia has been an inspirational young leader and passionate advocate for young people throughout the years I have known her. I know she has been such an amazing role model to the many young people she has connected with through the course of her leadership journey. I wish her all the best at the final award ceremony.  Youth Homelessness Matters Day Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) is a national day that was started in 1990 to raise awareness and public discussion about child and youth homelessness. This year, YHMD is Wednesday 17 April. Help raise awareness about youth homelessness and put the issues and realities of young people experiencing and at risk of homelessness high on the public agenda. Yfoundations encourages everyone to organise and participate in YHMD2024 activities on 17 April. Learn more Interview for carers Impact Studios at UTS is looking for carers and stakeholders that aims to explore what it is to be a carer for season 2 of their podcast ‘Care To Share’. The focus of this season is on empowerment and resilience, it will explore what these attributes mean to a carer and explore how these qualities can be strengthened through better support, so carers can live fulfilling lives alongside their caregiving responsibilities. The show’s host Prudence Granger, a is former carer to her father who passed away from early onset Alzheimer’s just last year. Impact Studios wants to feature young carers, and carers from various backgrounds. Interviewees will need to be a current or recent carer of a loved one. These pre-recorded interviews will take approximately 45 minutes on site. We are looking to record on either a Monday from 10am or Tuesday afternoon throughout April. For more information please contact Siobhan Moylan, Producer at Impact studios via email on: moylan.siobhan@gmail.com Sign the Pledge to End Domestic and Family Violence This year marks 50 years since women took to the streets of Australia for the first time to demand an end to domestic violence. It started the movement that saw the first women’s refuge, health centre and sexual assault services open that same year. To mark this historic occasion, DVNSW has launched their national pledge. The Pledge to End Domestic and Family Violence, is an online petition designed to give individuals the opportunity to help end domestic and family violence. More than just a pledge, it also provides the tools and resources to help support people to take action. Please sign your name to the pledge and spread the word to your networks.Sign the pledge  Expression of Interest: Project Generation Gap in-person roundtable Youth Action has an exciting paid opportunity for young people 12-24 years of age to take part in an intergenerational roundtable. We are accepting expression of interest applications to participate in an in-person roundtable hosted by both Youth Action and the Council of Ageing (COTA) NSW, the consumer led peak body representing people over 50 in NSW. The Roundtable seeks to bring together younger and older generations to discuss issues that matter most to them and build collaborative solutions. Please fill out the expression of interest form by Wednesday, 20 March. Details When: Thursday, 21 March 10am – 2pm Where: In-person Sydney Metro (location to be confirmed) Reimbursement: $70 reimbursement for your time Fill in the form Survey: Your Voting Experience Voting is compulsory in Australia, but it can be hard to find helpful information for people voting for the first time. Democracy Matters is designing educational resources for early voters and teachers. They want to hear from young people 16-25 years of age about their voting experiences to make sure that these educational resources reflect the experiences of young voters. Fill in the survey Make it 16 Movement Building Gathering The Make it 16 Movement is running an all-expenses paid 4 day gathering for young people 15-18 years of age who are passionate about having a voice in the voting process. The gathering will run from 13-16 April in Canberra and will be an incredible opportunity to meet like-minded young people, engage in workshops on campaign strategy and skill development and to take action to amplify our voices and influence policymakers for the inclusion of 16 and 17-year-olds in the voting process. Learn more Festival of Empowered Minds Join the Y NSW at Centenary Square in Parramatta on Saturday, 6 April from 9:00am – 3:30pm, for a day filled with inspiration and empowerment. This free event is all about celebrating the strength and resilience within each of us. From engaging workshops to thought-provoking discussions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come together with like-minded individuals and embrace the power of community. Register here  March Sector Session Please join us for our March NSW Sector Session. We will be joined by the Department of Communities and Justice. The NSW Government is committed to continuing to invest in early intervention programs that improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, families and communities and DCJ is soon to commence recommissioning of the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) and Family Connect and Support programs, with new contracts due to commence from 1 July 2025. As they begin TEI and FCS recommissioning work this year, DCJ are keen to meet with the sector about the TEI and FCS Recommissioning 2025-2030 principles, approach and timeline and hear your thoughts. Details What: Targeted Earlier Intervention and Family Connect and Support Recommissioning 2025-2030 Information Forum When: Thursday 21 March at 10am Register here If you are unable to make our TEI session, a few TEI peak organizations have organized information forums over March. Youth Action encourages you to attend one of these sessions. The content covered at each session will be the same. Mon 18 March 2024 for FCS service providers, hosted by DCJ (invites will be sent by DCJ) Tue 19 March 2024 at 1pm – 2.30pm for TEI providers, hosted by FAMS – Register here Wed 20 March 2024 at 10am – 12pm for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, hosted by AbSec (invites will be sent by AbSec). Wed 20 March 2024 at 12pm – 1.30pm for LCSA members who are TEI providers, hosted by LCSA (invites will be sent to members) Mon 25 March 2024 at 10am – 12pm for any provider interested in learning most about the TEI recommissioning process, hosted by DCJ – Register here Upcoming Sector Sessions April: New Renters Kit Training on April 18 at 10am. Register here. May: Arts and Young People on May 16 at 10am. Register here. Ask for Health Topic Sector Panel: Neurodivergence in Young People Please join us for the Ask for Health Topics Sector Panel on Neurodivergence in Young People. Following feedback from services for more specific health information, Youth Action has created monthly panels where we will hear from health experts on specific health topics. If you have any questions, or would like to nominate to be part of a sector panel, please contact the Health Literacy Project Coordinator: Jazzie Quinn by email: jazzie@youthaction.org.au or phone 0456 584 314 Details What: Ask for Health Topic Sector Panel: Neurodivergence in Young People When: May 14 from 10am -11am Register here Upcoming Ask for Health panels: June: Pain in young people on June 11 at 10am. Register here. July: Gut Health on July 9 at 10am. Register here. Add Your Voice to our Advocacy: Youth Sector Cost of Living Survey In the lead up to the 2023 NSW State election, Youth Action asked over 1000 young people about the top issues that would influence their vote. Cost of living was the biggest issue, with 76% of young people selecting it as one of their top three issues. We want to expand on our cost-of-living advocacy this year. Youth Action wants to hear from the youth sector about how the young people they work with are experiencing the cost-of-living crisis. Have your say in our cost-of-living advocacy work. Add your voice here Local Government Youth Development Network meeting Youth Action has relaunched our Local Government Youth Development Network meetings. The LGYDN is a network for Youth Development Officers (YDO’s) who work in local government. The meetings have been a meaningful space for information sharing, support and troubleshooting, and to provide input on local needs that Youth Action and LGNSW can advocate to Government on. We will be kicking off quarterly meeting this year on Microsoft Teams. To learn more about the LGYDN, please contact our Capacity Building and Participation Officer, Hareem on hareem@youthaction.org.au. Survey for Youth Workers – Youth Affairs Network Queensland YANQ wants to hear from youth workers to understand their role when referring young people to mental health services and the challenges they face. The feedback they collect will be used to develop training resources and agency level protocols that will help youth workers decide when and how to refer a young person to clinical mental health services such as hospitals and Headspace. For further information, please contact Siyavash Doostkhah, Director of Youth Affairs Network Queensland, director@yanq.org.au Learn more  Regional Tour Update We recently got back from Bundjalung Country at Clarence Valley and Gumbaynirr Country at Coffs Harbour to kick off our 2024 Regional Tour. It was great to meet Cass Wilson, the Deputy Director for Regional Youth at the Department of Regional NSW. We had the opportunity to talk about Youth Action’s work and how we can work together to better support young people in regional NSW. We also delivered our Evidence-Based Practice training to youth workers in Grafton and Coffs Harbour, and facilitated a consultation at Clarence Valley Anglican School about what is working and is not working for young people in Clarence Valley. We would like to thank the Office for Regional Youth, local council and local services and Community Development Officers in the regions for hosting us and MYAN NSW for joining us on the tour. If you are interested in a consultation or training in your area, please contact Capacity Building and Participation Officer, Hareem at hareem@youthaction.org.au Vaping submission Youth Action made a submission into the Inquiry into E-cigarette regulation and compliance in NSW. We heard from 72 young people and 62 youth sector workers in NSW in a survey about their experiences and suggestions on vaping use. Their insights informed our work and recommendations. Read our submissions here. Youth Peak Bodies Australia-wide call on the Government to Raise the Rate The youth peak bodies across Australia have called on the government to raise the rate of Job Seeker and Youth Allowance in the 2024-25 Federal Budget. Because of inadequate payments, many young people are unable to afford secure housing, food, energy, transport costs, internet access and a phone – made worse in the context of rising costof-living pressures and the housing crisis Read the letter here.  Equity & Inclusion Crowdfunding Events The Funding Network supports non-profits and social enterprises that directly supports people and has the potential to create positive change for individuals, communities and society over the long term. Applications are now open for our Equity & Inclusion events in Sydney for May 2024. Applications close 21 March 2024. Eligible organisations must be able to pitch for a project valued at approximately, $20 000 – $30 000. Learn more. Regional Youth – Winter/Spring 2024 Holiday Break The Holiday Break program provides young people in regional NSW opportunities to connect, socialise, learn new skills, and have fun at free activities, including recreation camps, creative activities, and more during the school holidays. The grant amount is up to $7 000 and closes 22 March 2024. Learn more about the eligibility criteria here. The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship The Indigenous Storytellers Scholarship (or Djuyalgal Scholarship meaning ‘the one who is telling the story’ in the local Gathang language) is a program created by Façon with support from Greater Bank. The scholarship program is designed to celebrate, sustain and grow Indigenous art and design in New South Wales. Greater Bank will provide a $10,000 scholarship to support the successful recipient’s creative aspirations, with guidance from Murrook Cultural Centre. Applications close 18 April 2024. Learn more here. NSW Government – Investing in Women Program The Investing in Women Funding Program seeks to fund innovative projects that focus on the three pillars that align with the NSW Women’s Strategy (2023 – 2026), in particular pillars two and three; Health and Wellbeing, and Participation and Empowerment. Applications close 8 April 2024. Learn more about the eligibility criteria here. |
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