Safe & Connected Youth Program
Safe & Connected Youth Program (S&CY)
The ACT Government has committed to the ongoing funding to Conflict Resolution Service (CRS) to expand on the delivery of a coordinated service response for children and young people aged 8 to 15 years old who are experiencing family conflict and who may be at risk of homelessness.
The funding will expand on the current Safe and Connected Youth Program (SACY) and also introduce a residential therapeutic respite element based on the Ruby’s Reunification Program that operates in South Australia.
We have been piloting the SACY Program for over two years, demonstrating the need for a service that rebuilds relationships with families to improve family functioning and enable children and young people to return home or remain safely at home where possible.
The ACT Government’s commitment to invest in not only a service that will provide much-needed therapeutic support but also provide a fit-for-purpose residential house to provide respite to children, young people, and their families which is a first for ACT. CRS will work in partnership with Marymead who will manage the Ruby’s site to provide respite accommodation.
CRS and Marymead have been working together for several years throughout the pilot phase. Our shared values, expertise, and knowledge of the Canberra Community is a natural fit to manage the SACY program.
Key features of the program are as follows:
- Easily accessible at no cost
- Accommodation Support (Ruby’s House)
- Trauma-informed
- Therapeutic Intervention
- Mediation Prep Sessions
- Communication and conflict coaching
- Family Mediation
- Family Counselling
- Preservation and reunification of young people and their families
- Improves relationship between parents and their children
- Empower young people to develop their full potential as individuals
- Reduce family conflict
- Improve family functioning and wellbeing
- Reduce the risk of youth homelessness
Anyone who wants to access the program for themselves or someone they know experiencing conflict, can call CRS on (02) 6189 0590 or fill out the referral form following the link below: