Support boost for vulnerable youth

_{24, February 2005}

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Congratulating the Picabeen Community Association on being granted $750,000 by the State Government to employ three Youth Support Co-ordinators over the next three years.

Three new Youth Support Co-ordinators will soon start work at Mitchelton, State Member for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson announced today.

The Co-ordinators will help young people at risk of dropping out of high school to complete their schooling or their training.  As part of a new $13 million State Government program, the Picabeen Community Association will receive approximately $275,000 to fund the initiative.

“The Youth Support Co-ordinators will be an effective way of diverting young people from homelessness and leaving school early and supporting them to continue learning or training,” Geoff Wilson said.

“The Co-ordinators will work with young people at risk of not successfully completing Years 11 and 12, TAFE colleges and training programs,” Geoff Wilson said.

“Specifically, they will work with vulnerable students to develop supportive environments for learning, help resolve issues that impact negatively on their schooling and help them develop social and personal skills.”

Picabeen Community Association President Gloria Kirkness said this was an exciting opportunity, not only for Picabeen, but for local young people.  “It’s great to see governments funding programs that have a direct beneficial effect for our youth,” Gloria Kirkness said.

The Youth Support Co-ordinator Program is a State-wide service and part of the Beattie Government’s Education and Training Reforms for the Future agenda.

Minister for Communities, Disability Services and Seniors Warren Pitt said the Government has now funded the employment of more than 100 Youth Support Co-ordinators across the State. 

“The Department of Communities has committed more than $4.3 million a year over the next three years to fund the positions, as well as almost $240,000 this financial year for establishment costs,” Mr Pitt said.

For more information about the Queensland Government’s youth programs and initiatives, visit the Department of Communities website at .

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