Provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 – 18, with a rapid response service between 5.00 pm and 8.00 am. Young people can be linked into essential services such as transportation to remove them from environments that are considered dangerous or at risk of becoming dangerous. This is done in an effort to reduce the likelihood or further escalations of violence and anti-social behaviour. The Youth Outreach Service (YOS) coordinators engage services that provide young people with either crisis or short term accommodation support or temporary in-service stay until suitable arrangements can be made.

Through the initial contact, the YOS coordinators aim to link young people with services to address the reasons why the youth required the outreach service. This can be accommodation, family support services, youth or indigenous advocacy, employment or substance abuse issues.

YOS relies on a coordinated care and service model (CCSM) of delivery, which is a unique collaboration between two key service agencies. CQID and Fitzroy Basin Elders Committee have committed to cross referrals and collaborative case management practices to identified youth.

Commonwealth funding, through the Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) has supported the development of the CCSM. This program also relies on the cooperation and awareness of other service providers in the human services sector, including, but not limited to CRYPAR, Volatile Substance Misuse, Police, Ambulance, MPIPP and specialist practitioners.

How to use the service

As a member of the Rockhampton community, you can request an outreach service. If you identify a situation that may require the involvement of YOS, call the afterhours number and request the service.

Calls to YOS are anonymous and rely on community input.

After hours contact: 0407 135 819

For more information contact CQID on 07 49274248.

Youth Outreach Service is funded by 

The Indigenous Youth Sports Program – CQUniversity

in partnership with CQID, is a week long school holiday program aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students aged 10 – 15 years. It raises aspirations of higher education by using sport and health education to build self esteem and confidence.

The Indigenous Youth Sports Program – CQUniversity, will be hosted at CQUniversity Rockhampton campus from Monday 26^th – Friday 30^th September 2011. The program will enrol a maximum of 60 Indigenous students from Mt Morgan, Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast regions. Students must have a high attendance record and be recommended to participate in the program by their school principal and parent/guardian. Each day will commence at 9.00 am and conclude at 2.45 pm. Parents and family members, sponsors and supporters will be invited to share in the achievements of the participants. The graduation will be an important component of the program to promote achievement and regard participation.

This program:

• forms part of CQUniversity’s strategy to widen indigenous participation in higher education
• directly addresses two of the priority areas identified under the Australian Government’s Social Inclusion ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy (health and education) and a third priority area (employment) indirectly, by raising awareness of career opportunities.
• reflects CQID’s commitment to generating and leading positive social change and well being for indigenous people and the wider community.

For further information, contact Melinda Mann – Yasso, Indigenous Outreach Officer, CQUniversity on phone 4930 9456 or by

email m.mann-yasso@cqu.edu.au