NEWS IN BRIEF
The January edition of this newsletter is normally just a house-keeping edition about the newsletter, about changing addresses and deadlines for future editions -- the February edition of Youth Field Xpress is now open for submissions, and is due for delivery in mid-February.
As so much news has accumulated for the February edition over the holidays, this housekeeping edition is including a quick overview of some of the news in the field that you may have missed over the holiday season:
As so much news has accumulated for the February edition over the holidays, this housekeeping edition is including a quick overview of some of the news in the field that you may have missed over the holiday season:
CARE AND PROTECTION
CREATE your future: A guide for young people leaving care
The CREATE Foundation has launched a new website to provide information and inspiration to young people leaving care. See: http://www.createyourfuture.org.au To contact the CREATE Foundation, ph: 1800 655 105 or email: news [at] create.org.au
CARERS
Young carers
"A theoretically-informed and policy-focused study on young carers has not been carried out in Australia" and the Social Policy Research Centre is addressing this in its research on "Young carers: Social policy impacts of the caring responsibilities of children and young adults". The findings of this study will contribute to policies for young carers, a national public policy priority. The expected outcomes are innovative contributions to theories of care; evidence about the diverse socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of young carers and care recipients, and development of supportive policies and services. (Source: SPRC website, http://www.sprc1.sprc.unsw.edu.au/researchabstracts.asp?ProjId=298, viewed 31 January 2007.)
Respite program and Young Carers at Risk: funding available
For youth in a caring role, the Young Carers at Risk Program (YC@R) aims to support them while they complete their secondary schooling by providing respite such as domestic assistance, personal care, tutoring, day and residential respite and holiday programs. YC@R are often difficult to identify but are often in need of additional support in their caring role. For all respite enquiries please contact the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (CRCC), ph: 1800 059 059 or Carelink 1800 022 222 (Australia-wide) (Source: Kristine McConnell, Specialist Services Coordinator, Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre.)
The Commonwealth Mental Health Respite Program aims to provide respite for the carers of people with a mental illness, psychiatric disability or intellectual disability and seeks to compliment existing programs. It also aims to increase the number of carers eligible for respite. Funding is available for respite options, such as domestic cleaning, day respite, in-home respite, residential respite, cottage respite, camps, personal care and social support. Carers might be dealing with a range of mental health conditions involving significant impairment of a person’s thinking, emotion and behaviour -- all conditions that might require long-term support and treatment. Examples of mental illness include short-term and chronic conditions and psychotic and non-psychotic disorders, depression, post-natal depression, anxiety, bipolar, affective disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Intellectual disability is associated with impairment of intellectual functions, which limits the range of daily activities and restricts participation in various life areas.
The Commonwealth Mental Health Respite Program aims to provide respite for the carers of people with a mental illness, psychiatric disability or intellectual disability and seeks to compliment existing programs. It also aims to increase the number of carers eligible for respite. Funding is available for respite options, such as domestic cleaning, day respite, in-home respite, residential respite, cottage respite, camps, personal care and social support. Carers might be dealing with a range of mental health conditions involving significant impairment of a person’s thinking, emotion and behaviour -- all conditions that might require long-term support and treatment. Examples of mental illness include short-term and chronic conditions and psychotic and non-psychotic disorders, depression, post-natal depression, anxiety, bipolar, affective disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Intellectual disability is associated with impairment of intellectual functions, which limits the range of daily activities and restricts participation in various life areas.
DRUGS
News from the new National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre
Since the launch of its National Cannabis Information and Helpline: 1800 30 40 50, the NCPIC has been approached by many agencies and organisations for materials to promote the Helpline among their clients. The NCPIC is in the process of printing a range of materials, including posters, business cards and flyers. Their website is not live as yet, but it is anticipated to become active early next week, at: http://www.ncpic.org.au In the meantime, an A4 poster providing the Helpline number can be downloaded from the National Drug and Research Centre website at the following address: http://www.ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au (link live in early February 2008). If you wish to become a NCPIC subscriber and receive a range of electronic resources (including the E-Zines and the NCPIC Bulletin Series) as well as regular updates on the Centre's activities (including free national training) please contact Paul Dillon, ph: (02) 9385 0226, email: p.dillon [AT] unsw.edu.au.
New books
'Youth Drinking cultures: European experiences' is a recently-released book of research containing cross-national comparisons of drinking behaviour, which examines factors such as gender, societal context and family socioeconomic backgrounds. It's edited by Margaretha Järvinen (University of Copenhagen and Danish National Institute of Social Research) and Robin Room (University of Melbourne). Ashgate Publishing; ISBN: 0 7546 4996 2 / 978-0-7546-4996-0; US$99.95.
EMPLOYMENT
Best practice in community-based youth employment initiatives?
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Actions and Strategies) is currently involved in an exercise commissioned by the Youth Employment Program of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to assemble a global collection of case studies that illustrate best practice in terms of community-based youth employment initiatives that involve significant private sector contribution. If you are aware of a good example anywhere in the world, then let Peter Kenyon of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S know: ph: (08) 6293 1848; fax:(08) 6293 1137; email: pk [AT] bankofideas.com.au (Source: Newsletter, Bank of I.D.E.A.S, December 2007.)
FUNDING
Deadline looming (4 February): Robert Riley Scholarships for tertiary study in 2008
These scholarships support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in their pursuit of studies in the fields of law, legal practice, human rights, child protection, criminology and criminal or juvenile justice. Four scholarships of up to $5,000 each for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians aged 25 years or under are awarded annually by the Foundation for Young Australians. In a partnership between the FYA and the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Trust and the FYA, an additional two Sydney-based Robert Riley Scholarships of up to $5,000 each will be awarded in 2008. Applications close on Monday 4 February 2008. Details at: http://www.youngaustralians.org or ph: (03) 9670 5436. (Source: AYIN email discussion list posting by the FYA, 30 January 2008.)
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES
The United Nations World Youth Report 2007
This report is now available online at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/wyr07.htm The report examines the challenges and opportunities for the world's 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24. It provides a regional overview that summarises the major youth development trends in the 15 priority areas of the World Programme of Action for Youth. While the report explores major issues of concern, such as employment, education, health, poverty and violence, it also highlights youth as a positive force for development and provides recommendations for supporting their essential contributions. PDF versions of chapters are available online, and the print edition is forthcoming: keep an eye out for it at: https://unp.un.org/details.aspx?pid=9918
MENTAL HEALTH
News from headspace, Australia's Youth Mental Health Foundation
There are now 30 headspace sites around Australia, with 20 new headspace centres having been recently announced. The centres are a new way of delivering health services to young people. For locations, see http://www.headspace.org.au/default.aspx?page=headspace-sites (viewed 31 January 2008).
MOVEMENTS, CHANGES, MILESTONES
2007 Australian Training Awards
The contribution of businesses, individuals and training providers to the vocational education and training (VET) sector were recognised at the 2007 Australian Training Awards held in Hobart on 8 November. These awards are the peak national VET awards and serve to recognise and promote innovation and excellence in the training sector. For information about and photos of the winners of the 2007 Australian Training Awards, visit: http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/2007_winners/ (viewed 31 January 2008).
NETWORKS
Asset-Based Community Development: Oceania Network
The ABCD Oceana Network is a recently formed organisation linking people across Asia, Australia and the Pacific to promote and share approaches to asset-based community development (which contrasts with traditional problem-solving philosophies by focusing on the assets and strengths of a community rather than its needs and weaknesses). "ABCD" was developed in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s by Jody Kretzmann and John McKnight in response to the problems facing inner-city neighbourhoods at that time. Founding members of the ABCD Oceana Network Network are the University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre, the Benevolent Society (NSW), Inclusion Works (Queensland), Heritage Futures International (New Zealand) and Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Their first conference was held recently in Newcastle on 3-5 December 2007. (Source: Newsletter, Bank of I.D.E.A.S, December 2007; also see: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/fac/abcd/index.html,viewed 31 January 2008).
PARTICIPATION
Amnesty International's Youth Advisory Board
Amnesty International's first international Youth Advisory Board has been established. Members of the board are responsible for supporting and developing youth work internationally. See: http://action.amnesty.org.au/page/iyab?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=23Jan2008 or get there via: http://tinyurl.com/2fjen2 (viewed 31 January 2008).
POLICY
COAG and the Australian Local Government Association
The ALGA will "play an important role in the new Council of Australian Governments (COAG) arrangements which emerged from the first meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, held in Melbourne on 20 December". That meeting agreed that COAG will move to a new, more collaborative method of operation with seven working groups dealing with major issues during 2008. The working groups will be chaired by federal ministers with deputies from state and territories. COAG will now meet more frequently, with quarterly meetings beginning in March 2008. Their communique is available at: http://www.coag.gov.au (Source: 'ALGA News', 21 December 2007 and http://australianlocalgovernmentassociation.cmail4.com/l/310181/niyirtld/www.alga.asn.au/ (or http://tinyurl.com/2ql5mv), viewed 31 January 2008).
SURVEYS
The final annual "Youth Poll" is currently being conducted. Formerly distributed by the Australian Democrats, the annual youth poll survey forms have been issued by South Australian Senator Natasha Stott Despoja to schools, TAFEs, youth groups and other organisations across Australia. The deadline for submissions by young Australians -- aged 15 to 20 years -- is 10 March 2008. Copies of the survey can be downloaded from http://www.natashastottdespoja.com and may also be photocopied. (Source: AYIN email discussion list, 16 January 2007.)
TECHNOLOGY, INTERNET
The Young People and the Internet Project
This project is being undertaken by the NSW Ombudsman, and will examine how young people use the internet and new media and how these particular forms of communication can be used to develop relationships that exploit or harm young people. "We will be considering how online communication is used to groom young people for sexual offences and to encourage violent or other harmful behaviour including self-harm and cyber-bullying. We’ll also be looking at current internet and community-based programs that aim to protect young people online and developing ideas for new programs. We’re interested in hearing about any programs you’re involved in that might address these issues and any ideas you have for improvements in this area." So writes Sally Haydon, Project Officer at the NSW Ombudsman. Contact details: ph: (02) 9265 0451. (Source: email, Mandy Loundar, Youth Liaison Officer, NSW Ombudsman, 17 December 2007.)
YOUTH STUDIES, YOUTH WORK
Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development Work
This distance education diploma offered by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) starts at the beginning of March 2008, and applications close at the end of February. RMIT provides this two-year diploma in partnership with the Commonwealth Youth Programme to youth workers in 40 member countries, and works in partnership with 25 universities and other institutions. The diploma's 14 modules provide youth workers with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in their work, and covers the theoretical and practical aspects relating to youth empowerment, development and leadership. Applicants must be working in the field to qualify for admission to the course. The Diploma is funded through the Commonwealth, and annual student fees are AUD$900. To apply, send your details, including your address, to Jennifer Brooker, Coordinator Youthwork Programs VE&T; email: jennifer.brooker [AT] rmit.edu.au or ph: (03) 9925 4115. (Source: RMIT email, 15 March 2007; updated 25 January 2008.)
NOTE: Brunel University now offers a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community for those who already hold the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development Work. See: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=174058, viewed 31 January 2008.
Scholarly journals focused on youth issues
A reminder: Those studying youth work might find the following ACYS website page handy: it's our bibliography of scholarly journals focused on youth issues: http://acys.info/resources/biblio/journals/scholarly_journals/, viewed 31 January 2008).
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* DEADLINES FOR 2008
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* WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
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* ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN CLEARINGHOUSE FOR YOUTH STUDIES
We are a national organisation that has served the youth field in Australia for many years by providing information on youth issues, primarily through our journal, Youth Studies Australia. YSA is a peer reviewed quarterly publication that youth researchers, youth workers, educators and those in many other sectors in Australia depend upon. For more about us see: http://www.acys.info
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