Today the ACT Government announced the extension of the Safe & Connected Youth Program until June 2021. This is a welcomed announcement for Conflict Resolution Service and the other partner organisations involved in the project.

Safe & Connected Youth Program is a collaboration between Conflict Resolution Service, Youth Coalition of the ACT, Northside Community Service, Woden Community Service and Marymead that provides therapeutic case management, family mediation and respite accommodation to keep young people safe and connected with their families.

CRS CEO Melissa Haley says that family conflict is one of the highest contributing factors to youth homelessness. The ongoing support from the ACT Government is key to ensuring families can remain engaged, connected, and strong.

• 30% of homeless people in Australia are under the age of 18.
• 1 in 200 people are homeless in Australia on any given night.
• 27,688 young people aged between 12-24 years are experiencing homelessness, account for one quarter of the total homeless population in Australia.

“It is really exciting to be a part of a successful collaborative Program and we look forward to continuing the important work,” CRS Family Support Program Manager, Hamish Guthrie said

ACT Minister for Children, Youth and Families Rachel Stephen-Smith has allocated $470,000 this financial year to the program, on top of a $1 million commitment to build fit-for-purpose accommodation for young people under the age of 16. The fit-for-purpose accommodation site will be based on the Ruby’s model in South Australia. Ruby’s is an evidence-based model, providing young people with a safe place to stay while also working with families to resolve conflict and improve relationships.

“Communication breakdown is very common, and it happens early on because the young person and the parents are both frustrated, and then the relationship starts to fracture and fall apart.” Mr Guthrie said.

“Working with other like-minded organisations over the past 12 months has really shown how working in a collaborative model benefits the wider community and CRS look forward to continuing the Program,” Ms Haley said.

If you would like more information, visit https://www.youthcoalition.net/preventing-child-homelessness-in-the-act/, email familysupportprogram@crs.org.au or call the CRS office on 6189 0590.