Our positive and proactive youth programs support the educational, sporting, cultural and social needs of Koori youth in our communities.

Our Youth Hubs provide a safe and inclusive space for young people to access support and socialise.

However, where young people do need more intensive support, we have in place a range of initiatives with the aim of helping them to get back on track.

If you would like more information, contact the Youth Services team at youthservices@mdas.org.au

Youth Justice Program:

The objectives of the Koori Youth Justice program are to improve justice outcomes, and to reduce over-representation of Aboriginal youth on custodial sentences.

The program works to divert young Aboriginal people from the criminal justice system and reduce the likelihood of further offending.

Youth Support Services:

The Youth Support Services program provides, timely service response to intervening early, and preventing escalation of emerging issues.

It aims to divert Koori youth and prevent further progression who are at the early stages of involvement with the youth justice system.

This is through first contact made and/or involvement with Police to address the underlying reasons or issues linked with their offending/at risk behaviors.

Early School Leavers Program:

The Early School leavers program is aimed at supporting Koori Youth who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education, training, employment or family.

The program provides case management services to ensure the young people are continually supported to prevent this.

Koori Night Patrol Program:

The Koori Youth Night Patrol Program provides a service to transport Koori Youth from public places to their homes or a safe place.

Our service operates on Thursday Night from 7pm-11pm, and Friday and Saturday Nights from 8pm-12am.

The aims of the program are:

• To safely transport local people at risk from public places
• Develop positive and productive relationships with local police.
• Increase community involvement in building a successful night patrol program.