YSMDP (Youth Sector Model Development Project)

The Youth Sector Model Development Project (YSMDP) funded under Better Futures provides Sector Connect with a unique opportunity to support and strengthen the youth service system across Macarthur and Wingecarribee.

Stage 1 of the project has involved mapping key youth services and identifying the needs of the region. An extensive process of consultation, literature review and mapping of key youth services took place with key government agencies, councils, non-government and community sector organisations, youth networks, youth peaks and input from young people. The project is also under the guidance of a whole of government reference group consisting of senior officers from regional state government offices, 4 councils and YAPA as the youth peak.

The resulting YSMDP final report provides concrete recommendations for moving the youth service system forward. These recommendations focus on:

· collaborative models of service provision

· better engaging young people through the delivery of more comprehensive services

· program development to provide an appropriate mix of evidence based, quality programs

· addressing issues for young people with specific needs e.g. disability, Aboriginal, CALD

· addressing general barriers to young people's engagement

· worker professional development

· advocacy for additional support within the youth sector

These recommendations address both direct service provision and service system development. Sector Connect will only be addressing the implementation of the recommendations relating to the service system and hope that the information in the report can be used by youth services to improve direct service delivery.

Stages 2 and 3 of the YSMDP has focused on developing a more collaborative youth service system across Macarthur and Wingecarribee, with particular focus on the recommendations above.. Guidance from the whole of government reference group continued through this process. Connect Consulting was contracted to implement these recommendations with all relevant youth networks actively engaged in the process during 2010-2011.

Outcomes:

• Regional coordination and collaborative planning processes across Macarthur Youth Services Network and Wingecarribee Youth Network in the delivery of services to young people across Macarthur and Wingecarribee
• Planning process for Macarthur Youth Services Network to establish direction until June 2012.  Sustainability of this process is part of the recommendations to the whole of government reference group.
• Development of issue based working groups to focus on communication and participation, crime and safety and transport
• Held a Regional Youth Advisory Group Forum in September 2011 that involved young people and youth advisory groups from across the region (initiated by the Communication and Particpation sub group).  This Forum aimed to determine youth engagement and participation in the community and the opportunities for a Regional Youth Advisory Group to plan and coordinate events into the future.  Sustainability planning is underway for the next Regioanl Youth Advisory Group event to take place during Youth Week 2012 to formulate a regional action plan for Macarthur and Wingecarribee.
• Southern Highlands Youth Summit held in August 2011 which brought together youth services, community services and young people.  Youth participation was a key ingredient for the Summit and were very active in the planning process as well as the day.  The Summit sought to hear the views of young people about living, working and studying in the region.  Work will continue on the identified issues through the Wingecarribee Youth Network and council.  A report focused on the youth is also being developed highlighting ongoing opportunities for engagement

Final Report with Recommendations

Paper Article - Regional Youth Advisory Group

Better Futures are currently reviewing this funding program and Sector Connect and the whole of government reference group will be actively advocating for additional support for this target group.

A Youth Service Directory has been developed as part of Stage 1. Please note that as part of the implementation at Stage 2 and 3 Sector Connect will be seeking an effective method to keep this important resource up to date. Sector Connect can only guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this directory at the time of publication at this stage.