Community
11 August, 2024
On-Country rehab program for wayward juniors
AS part of a Queensland Government $24 million investment, a trial of a new On-Country youth intervention and rehabilitation program will run from Manunda in coming weeks.
The program, which will be run by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, is set to start taking clients in coming weeks at their Manunda office with both the Department of Youth Justice and courts able to refer young offenders to take part.
The On-Country model focuses on providing intensive cultural and residential experiences, family supports, education and training opportunities and connection to employment to young people who have had engagement with the youth justice system.
The new Intensive on Country trial offers a longer period out of town and on Country to help break the cycle of youth reoffending, leading to reduced offending and fewer victims of crime. “Since 2020 Jabalbina has been pivotal in working with the Department of Youth Justice pioneering the existing Jabalbina on Country Program,” said Jabalbina’s chief executive Joshua Patterson.
“The Intensive on Country Program will build on the learnings and successes of the existing program by increasing the emphasis on re-engaging young people in employment and training,” he said.
“This experience is all delivered on Country and on a real working farm.
“We will deliver life skills, certified agricultural training and real jobs that provides rehabilitation and a pathway to ongoing employment.”
