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March 2022 Edition
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A Federal Faux Pas in Budget Buck Passing!
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29th March’s Federal Budget offered enticements to all with the blatant exception of those most marginalised and locked out of housing.
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Young people and those experiencing homelessness and housing stress have all but been forgotten in this budget. There is something a little crass about throwing a few hundred dollars millions of ways instead of consolidating resources derived from our collective taxes and using those dollars to improve housing options for all of our citizens.
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Federal government will say this is the responsibility of the state. We say - the time is up for 3 layers of government to keep passing the buck! This is a massive federal faux pas at the worst possible time for inaction and indifference.
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Queensland Youth Week is on!!!
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Queensland Youth Week is annual celebration of young people aged 12 to 25 years and the positive contributions they make to Queensland. This year Queensland Youth Week is being held from the 1st - 11th April 2022. During the week, individuals and organisations are hosting events and activities in celebration of young people.
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For information about events that are happening around Queensland, click here.
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For information about events happening in the Fraser Coast area, click here.
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For information about events that are happening in the Moreton Bay area, click here.
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A Snap Shot of Brisbane Events
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This is a FREE event for young people living in the Brisbane area. It is happening at Karawatha Forest Discovery on 3 April 2022 from 9am to 12pm. The event includes guided bushwalking, live music and lunch. To register, click here.
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This FREE event is being hosted by BYS. It happening at New Farm Park on 8 April 2022 from 11am to 2pm. The event includes an art space, sensory zone and sports and games. For the event flyer, click here.
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This FREE event is being held at Inala PCYC on 6 April 2022 from 10am to 3pm. It is for young people aged between 12 and 17. You need to have a team of 5. There will be prizes to be won.
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For the event flyer, click here.
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For the event registration form, click here.
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This FREE event is being held at Babi Youth and Family Service in Wynnum on 5 and 6 April 2022 from 1pm to 4pm. There will be drumming, screen printing and lots of other fun activities on offer for young people to participate in.
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For the event flyer, click here.
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Challenges After the Floods
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The February 2022 floods has thrown thousands of people at the mercy of a housing market already in the grips of crisis. It is estimated that 20,000 people have joined the 50,000 people that were already on the housing waitlists before the floods. People are staying in motels or relying on friends and family while they wait for properties to become available. But how long can this be maintained. Charity organisations have called for holiday rentals to be utilised for those displaced by the floods and welfare support to be increased to match the growing cost of daily living. Most importantly, this crisis demands a long-term commitment to build high numbers of social and affordable housing stock.
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People impacted by the floods are also reporting difficulty in applying for government grants and support. The process has been described as a nightmare as people are finding that they aren’t eligible or are experiencing difficulty with having their applications approved.
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Thanks to the generosity of people across Australia, $25.2 million was raised through a telethon hosted by the Red Cross and the major television networks. All of the funds raised are going to people impacted by the floods and grants are now open and being distributed. Hopefully this money gets to people quickly to help them meet urgent needs.
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To find out more about the Red Cross grants, click here. Donate to the ongoing flood appeal here.
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REGISTER BELOW
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There is still a chance to nominate a Queensland great as the nomination period for these awards has been extended. Nominations are accepted across three categories: individual, institution, posthumous. This is an opportunity to honour people who have made a positive impact on the lives of Queenslanders.
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For more information about these awards, click here.
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Nominations close on 8 April 2022.
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Multicultural Queensland Awards
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Nominations for the 2022 Multicultural Awards have now opened. Individuals and organisations supporting people from diverse backgrounds across the state are encouraged to apply. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions of those who support and promote a united, harmonious, and inclusive Queensland.
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Nominations close on Sunday 1 May 2022. For more information or to nominate, click here.
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2022 National NAIDOC
Awards Nominations
The National NAIDOC Awards recognise the extraordinary contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to our community. If you know someone who has empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to engage in their community or has demonstrated high quality in their chosen field, now is the time to nominate them.
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The closing date for nominations is 11 April 2022. For more information about the award categories and to access a nomination form, click here.
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QDN Y Online Peer Support Group is on!
Queensland Disability Network is inviting young people with a disability living in Queensland to participate in their QDN Y online peer support group. This support group will be held on the first Tuesday of the month from 4pm - 5:30pm on zoom. The next group is being held on 5 April 2022. The topic of this session is the upcoming federal election. There will be guest speakers from the Australian Electoral Commission in attendance to discuss voting, elections and paid opportunities to help out on election day!
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For the QDN Y flyer, click here.
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Building a Strong
Body, Mind and Heart
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Lemonade Kids offers a Standing Strong Program for young people up to 15 years of age at Morningside and Carina in Brisbane. The pillars of the program – strong body, mind and heart – aim to develop young people’s physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. With a run time of 9 weeks during each school term, each session has a focus on connection, belonging, kindness, support and relationship building. New topics and activities are offered each term and there are different membership options available depending on your situation.
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For more information about the program and the costs involved, click here.
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Queensland Schools Unite to Promote Kindness
All schools across Queensland have participated in the 12th annual National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence to encourage a culture of kindness. A strong message of inclusion, respect and community belonging have been promoted. This coincides with the release of a new animated series being made available of the 'Bullying. No Way!' Website called 'Be Kind'. These videos cater for students in years 3 to 12 and they cover various themes promoting positive online behaviour.
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It is important for students who are experiencing bullying to know that they are not alone and that they can reach out for help. This is why the Queensland Government is committed to their Student Wellbeing and GPs in schools package to ensure that students have access to health and wellbeing professionals at school. The aim is have more psychologists and GPs in schools over the next 3 years.
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Help for People with a Disability to Get Online
QDN is currently running a pilot Digital Inclusion project in the Brisbane and Ipswich areas for people aged 18-65 years. The project is working to make sure that people with disability have user-friendly and fit-for-purpose devices as well as the data, knowledge, and skills to be able to be included in the digital world.
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Further to the device support that is available, workshops that are run by people with disability for people with disability can be offered. These workshops will focus on improving:
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- Confidence using your device;
- Staying safe online;
- Social connection; and
- Disaster and emergency preparedness (including COVID-19).
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To find out more information about the project here.
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To complete an online referral form, click here.
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Beyond DV Support Service
Beyond DV is a Brisbane based charity offering recovery-based supports to women to help rebuild their lives after domestic and family violence. Services on offer include peer support via morning teas, workshops, access to Oz Harvest food, pathways to employment through training or study, access to a lawyer for legal advice, appointments once a month, and access to counselling. Criteria for referral to Beyond DV must all be met:
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- Reside in the Brisbane Area (or is willing to travel and engage with Beyond DV)
- Be out of the abusive relationship for a minimum of three months
- Able to engage / participate in a recovery-based program.
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Both agency and self-referrals are accepted. Clients will then be contacted to arrange an intake and goal setting meeting. This must be attended to receive further support from Beyond DV.
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For more information about Beyond DV, click here. Access the referral form here.
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LGBTIQA+ Glossary of
Common Terms
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Child Family Community Australia have released a resource sheet that aims to help service providers and practitioners create safer spaces for LGBTIQA+ clients. Understanding and using the language/ terminology associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other sexually or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) people helps to ensure that services and organisations are inclusive and respectful. The resource sheet provides a glossary of terms for practitioners and service providers to help them to better understand the terminology and to use inclusive language in service provision. To access this resource, click here.
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Register for Open Thinking Conference 2022
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On 26 May 2022 for Domestic Violence Prevention month, Strong Women Talking are hosting their Biannual Open Thinking Conference. If you work with First Nations people, this conference will provide you with valuable insight and will open up your thinking to better equip your workplace and your role in the community. Until the end of March, a 10% Early Bird Special is being offered - just enter the promo code “SWT2022” at checkout.
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For event information and ticket purchases click here.
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Q Shelter Learning Exchange
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You are invited to register for QShelter’s learning exchange. This series will be held online on the first Tuesday of every month – the next one being on the 3rd May 2022. These sessions provide a space for housing and homelessness and other support services to discuss challenges, exchange ideas and find out about resources. Click here to register.
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Register for Children’s Health Queensland Virtual Summit
You are invited to join Children’s Health Queensland Virtual Summit: A Lot Going On: An Adolescent Summit on Complex Social Needs. It is being held on Monday 9 May 2022 from 9:30am to 3:30pm. This summit will include expert speakers who will explore how adolescents encounter their services, the challenges they face working with this group and share organisational initiatives that seek to improve their health and social trajectory.
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To register for this event, click here.
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For the timetable for the day, click here.
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Last Call for Parity Contributions
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Parity Magazine is currently accepting contributions for their April 2022 edition: Homelessness and Young People – Support During Troubled Times. This edition will examine the support issues that young people experience homelessness have faced in the "troubled times" of Covid-19, including how governments and homelessness services have responded. The deadline for submissions is 8 April 2022. To make a submission, click here.
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Support for Young People
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Mylestones Employment provides support for young people with barriers, to find meaningful and sustainable employment. Support is provided to a wide range of people, including early school leavers. Mylestones has offices throughout Queensland, and their focus is to create meaningful opportunities for people with barriers or disabilities to find work, gain income, develop new skills and follow their passion. In addition to helping young people look for and find the job that’s right for them, assistance is also provided with resume writing, interview skills and on-the-job support, continuing to provide ongoing assistance to ensure that clients have the best chance of success in maintaining meaningful employment.
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Learn more about Mylestones Employment here.
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Last chance to Register!
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There are still spots available for Lifeline’s ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training that is being held on the Gold Coast on 5 and 6 April 2022. Widely used by both professionals and the public, ASIST offers something to every participant, no matter how experienced. To register, click here.
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Changes to Online
Tenancy Skills Course
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The Skillsets for Successful Tenancies - Dollars and Sense online course has now been upgraded and the original version will no longer be available. The new version has new updated assessments, and now has a more ‘streamlined’ process in relation to Module progression and the assessment process. In terms of enrolment, the process will remain the same as before. For more information about this course and what Tenancy Skills has to offer, click here.
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Now Hiring!
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Q Shelter is recruiting for two experienced Project Officers to support training and engagement with stakeholders in Qld’s affordable housing and homelessness sector and government.
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There is a full-time and part-time position available. Both positions will be paid at $42.94 per hour.
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For more information about how to apply, click here.
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Are you looking for a job that can make a difference in the lives of our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community members and their families? Kurbingui are looking for a full-time practitioner to join their Social, Emotional and Wellbeing Program at their Zillmere office. Find more information about how to apply here.
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Mercy Family Services is currently recruiting for a Case Worker position within their Families and Young People Services team. This position is full-time and is based at their Nudgee office.
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For more information about the role and how to apply, click here.
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YAC are currently recruiting for a Senior Caseworker in their Bail Support Service. This position is full-time until June 2023, with the possibility of an extension. It is Brisbane based and paid at SCHCDS Award level 5/6 depending on experience.
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YAC are also looking for a Reception and Administration Officer. This a full-time permanent position based in Brisbane. It will be paid at SCHCDS Award level 2.
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Both positions close on 4 April 2022. For more information about how to apply, click here.
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Have Your Say
The Townsville community are being invited to provide feedback on the designs for its new Youth Foyer in Gulliver. Once completed, the space will be able to provide stable and affordable housing for up to 40 young people aged between 16 and 25 years of age who are earning or learning.
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The design options will be available for public review and comment from 22 March to 11 April 2022. The project is scheduled to commence in late 2022, with construction to be completed by late 2023.
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For more information about how to have your say, click here.
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New Homes for 5 vulnerable young people in Brisbane
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Five at-risk young people who work with Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) are moving into new homes this month due to an innovative partnership between BYS and community housing provider Brisbane Housing Company (BHC).
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The partnership provides an allocation of five homes specifically for young people supported by BYS in BHC’s new 32-unit social and affordable housing development in Woolloongabba. BHC are committed to growing the supply of social and affordable housing in Brisbane, particularly for young people. The Woolloongabba property is the first to be constructed under the Queensland Government’s Partnering for Growth initiative.
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Queensland Lags in Vaccination Rates Amongst Young People
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Queensland is behind the rest of the country in relation to vaccination rates amongst the adolescent age group. 71.16% of 12-15 year olds are double dosed. It comes as schools across the state are regularly emailing parents to report Covid-19 cases.
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Queensland Schools Unite
to Promote Kindness
All schools across Queensland have participated in the 12th annual National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence to encourage a culture of kindness. A strong message of inclusion, respect and community belonging were promoted. This coincides with the release of a new animated series being made available on the 'Bullying. No Way!' Website called 'Be Kind'. These videos cater for students in years 3 to 12 and they cover various themes promoting positive online behaviour.
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It is important for students who are experiencing bullying to know that they are not alone and that they can reach out for help. This is why the Queensland Government is committed to their Student Wellbeing and GPs in schools package to ensure that students have access to health and wellbeing professionals at school. The aim is have more psychologists and GPs in schools over the next 3 years.
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ATSI Family Wellbeing Services Campaign Launched
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Queensland’s communities, families and children are the focus of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services campaign that has recently been launched. The campaign aims to encourage more families to access free, practical, and confidential support provided by the 34 Family Wellbeing Services throughout the state. The first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Family Wellbeing Service was opened in 2016 and since then 20,510 First Nations families have received culturally-appropriate support from staff. Being connected to culture is one of the most effective ways to support families. For more information about, click here.
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Find Services in oneplace
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oneplace is an online directory for Queensland parents, families and professionals that lists community services throughout Queensland. There are more than 58,000 services that provide assistance with a range of issues including parenting, domestic and family violence, legal issues, mental health and counselling, housing, financial and food assistance. It is free and easy to use. Access the directory here.
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Homeless Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Project (HIDRR)
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The Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund has commenced a project entitled: ‘A person-centred capability approach to disaster management with people experiencing homelessness’. It is anticipated that this project will lead to the development of a homelessness specific framework and toolkit to assist services and persons they support to be better prepared in any future disaster event.
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The current stage of the project aims to: understand the preparedness, capabilities and support needs of people experiencing homelessness and the services that support them (including people experiencing homelessness with disability); co-develop the Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness Framework and
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Toolkit for building resilience with people experiencing homelessness and, implement and evaluate the P-CEP Framework and Toolkit by homeless services with the people they support.
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This project targets the eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) within Queensland, with the highest rates of homelessness and highest levels of homelessness service provision.
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Over the coming months the project will be sending out surveys to homelessness services with the intent to capture the feedback of service providers and their clients. Any assistance you can provide this project will ensure the tool released will be the most effective, so please keep an eye out for this in your inbox.
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Young People Being Heard: Changes to the Queensland Criminal Code
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Concerns about impacts to young people disclosing sexual assault and practice implications have been raised with regard to child sexual offences reform. New legislation requires every adult in Queensland to report information relating to child sexual offences committed by an adult in relation to a child under 16 years of age to the Queensland Police Service. Failure to do so is punishable by 3 years in prison. The Queensland Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 received assent in Parliament on the 14 September 2020 and commenced in Queensland on the 5 July 2021.
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Following information and practice forums across the Youth, Women’s and Sexual Assault sectors a Working Group has been formed to further assist organisations in strategies to implement this legislation.
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If anyone has feedback or case examples to share please contact the working group via Lorraine on: 0448 073 463 or Lorraine@qyhc.org.au
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To read more about the Laws targeting sexual offences against children, click here
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BOOK BELOW
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