MAITLAND YOUTH INTERAGENCY

Thursday 31st May2012

9:30am–11:30am

Hunter headspace

73 Elgin St Mailtand

Agenda

1.Acknowledgement of Country

2.Attendance:

Jason Holland (HCCAS), Deb Shepherd (APM), Shayne Kingsley (Catholic Care), Nicole Molyneux (Create Foundation), Byron Williams (headspace) and Moana Lumley (Samaritans)

3.Apologies:

Deb McCrohon (Youth Express), Matt Taylor (PCYC), April Philips (Catholic Care) and Wendy Birrell (Catholic Care)

4.Presentation: Advancement Personnel Management (APM)

E:Deb Shepherd: mailto:

P:4933 1091

  • Deb works with young people who have medical barriers and/or disability and other issues in their lives to secure employment as determined by Centrelink Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) in Maitland
  • APM is now able to assist Young People into employment eligible school leavers program (must be within 12 months of leaving school)
  • The primary objective of the program is to secure employment but caseworks liaise with other professional to ensure the best opportunity of employment success. (eg Housing, AOD counselors and psychologists.) APM uses reverse marketing techniques to job match young people “no square pegs in round holes” Young people are matched to jobs that they are interested in or lead to careers they are interested in
  • Works with young people on resume, interview skills and presentation
  • APM works directly with employees and given consent for young people will discuss any issues with employment with employers
  • APM caseworkers work intensively with clients and have weekly visit
  • APM have access to 6 month government subsidies to help young people transitioning into work

5.Presentation: Create Foundation – Nicole Molyneux:

E:

P:4979 1391

  • Create Foundation is the National Peak Body for young people who have had an Out Of Home Care (OOHC)experience in Australia.Create opened an office in Newcastle to cover the Hunter Valley last November in Newcastle West in the Catholic Care buildings
  • Create run runs programs for young people who have experienced an OOHC experience including the “Create your future” program based around developing living skills as well as other activities.
  • All programs are free and food is provided
  • Approximately 3,000 young people are currently living in OOHC in the Hunter Valley
  • Nicole is looking for a young female over 18 who has an OOHC experience for a documentary. Contact details are about.
  • Nicole is currently running a weekly group at the Loft in Newcastle for clients on Tuesdays 4pm-7pm (see attached flyer)

6.Maitland Youth Action Plan

a)Education and Health Working Party report

  • The group has had its initial meeting and has begun sourcing material. The aim of the group is to:

“To reduce the stigma around seeking social and health support”

  • Resources provided to young people will be fun, useful and have a longer life than just pamphlets/flyers (eg rulers, pens, pencil cases.
  • If other interagency members are aware of health related resources available they are encouraged to contact James.
  • James has been talking to Brodie around consulting with year seven and the school around what they see as important to include

b)Youth Week Activity Report

  1. Event at Woodberry, Monday 16th April. Approximately
  2. Headspace “Through My Eyes” competition opening, Wednesday 18th April
  3. Maiwel and Youth Mental Health Project in Maitland Mall Friday 20th
  4. Rutherford Youth Space “Carve it Up Scoot and Skate competition, Sunday 22nd April. Was a busy day with approximately 150 YP and 50 community members attending. Young people conducted the majority of the day and services there basically spectated.

7.Service Updates/Info Share

  1. YDO
  • The RYDON conference is on in less than 4 weeks.
  • Speakers attending the conference this year include Angela Barker and Nina Funnell, for further details on the conference check out the RYDON website.
  • The RYSA nomination process has been a little confusing for some members of the sector. James is to follow up with other RYDON members to clarify the process. As this is the first year of the awards some problems were anticipated, so thank you for your feedback.

UPDATE:A voting ballot (through survey monkey) will be emailed out to the sector in the week of June 11

  1. Create Foundation:
  • There is an upcoming camp for young people who have an OOHC experience (See attached flyer
  1. Headspace:
  • “Through My Eyes” photo exhibition will be displayed in the Greenhills Shopping Centre next week for 2 weeks and be in the Maitland Regional Art Gallery later in the year.
  • Pictures will also appear on the Hunter rail line as Byron has built a strong relationship with the Regional Manager.
  1. Maitland Youth Refuge:
  • Many repairs have been made to the refuge recently
  • Have received donated exercise equipment to help youg people manage emotions through exercise.
  • Shayne is currently looking into the creation of an “Anger Pit” for clients to smash stuff in a safe and structured way – Shayne has seen the pit work well with clients at Heal For Life. If you have any suggestions or ideas please email
  • Shayne has moved intothe position of residential manager and has incorporated a lot more structure into the operation of the refuge using a strengths based approach and associated consequences.
  • In the last 3-4 months the majority of young people have become involved in education and training.
  • If not at school young people are engage before 12pm Monday to Friday in a life skills course.
  1. Hunter Children Court Assistance Scheme
  • Attached is the upcoming education program run by the Hunter Community Legal Team
  • These education programs can be tailored to be run for services, clients or a combination of both. Get into contact with Jason form more information

8.Other business arising

N/A

9.Food, networking

Next Meeting:

Youth Health Committee

Date: Friday 15th June 2012

Venue: Youth Express, 8 Bulwer St Maitland

10:30am-12:00pm

Full Interagency

Date: Thursday 26th July 2012

Venue: Maitland PCYC, James St Maitland

9:30am-11:30am

Maitland Dungog Youth Development Officer

PH: 0407 891 650