Action planned for youth

The State Government is acting to address youth needs on the Peninsula and the Central Coast generally, according to Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews.

She said a Youth Action project was being undertaken by the Department of Community Services to address local youth issues.

The government had also jointly funded the Woy Woy Youth Cottage through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

The program is jointly funded by the State and Commonwealth Governments under a series of five-year agreements.

Community and charitable groups are funded to deliver a range of accommodation and support services to homeless families, women and children escaping domestic violence, and homeless single adults and young people

"The Minister for Community Services, Mrs Faye Lo Po, has informed me that in 2000/2001, funding of $3.224 million will be provided to 16 SAAP-funded services on the Central Coast," Ms Andrews said.

"I am advised that there are a number of local initiatives in place that focus on collaboration and integration between Government and non-government agencies on the Central Coast, which aim to meet the increasing demand on services to young people.

"The Child and Youth Strategy is designed to ensure a number of agencies are working collaboratively to identify the key issues for young people on the Central Coast.

"It will result in a set of strategies which focus on collaboration and improved outcomes for young people over time."

She said the Central Coast office of the Department of Community Services had established a Youth Action project to identify youth needs on the Central Coast.

"The Youth Action project is identifying and analysing the needs of young people in the area, and developing a range of strategies to address youth issues," she said.

September 6