COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS
PROJECT BACKGROUND 2001 the NSW Government established a new funding program known as the Community Solutions Fund. To assist community development and crime prevention initiatives in high need communities across NSW. Kings Cross being highlighted as one such area.
BACKGROUND CONT.. February 2003 announced that funds would be allocated over two years to: ‘Help older youth who have become involved in high risk Kings Cross lifestyle. The focus being on coordinating services, working with youth in crisis and ensuring service availability after hours.’
BACKGROUND CONT.. The Community Solutions Steering Committee (Kings Cross) was established to oversee the project In late 2003 this committee undertook a review of services for young people at risk (12 – 25 years) in the broader Kings Cross area.
BACKGROUND CONT… The review focused on – 1.Increased collaboration between existing services 2.Joint ventures 3.Pooled funding The report recommended the remaining Community Solutions funding be allocated over two years to support the Kings Cross Youth At Risk Project.
BACKGROUND CONT… SESIH auspiced the project The SESIH Area Youth Health Coordinator administers the project and manages the budget The project coordinator is based at the Kirketon Road Centre I
THREE AIMS Establish Kings Cross Outreach Coordination Committee Conduct Joint Outreach Sweeps Establish a Brokerage Program
COORDINATION TIER
COORDINATION A joint Kings Cross Outreach Coordination Committee has been established consisting of government and non- government outreach service providers The Kings Cross Outreach Coordination Committee is responsible for improved coordination between outreach providers in the Kings Cross area
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS (KINGS CROSS) OUTREACH COORDINATION COMMITTEE, REPRESENTED BY: The Crossing The Crossing The Come In Centre The Come In Centre Kings Cross Adolescent Unit Kings Cross Adolescent Unit Oasis Youth Support Network Oasis Youth Support Network JNC JNC Salvation Army - SOSSalvation Army - SOS Kirketon Road Centre Kirketon Road Centre The Wayside Chapel The Wayside Chapel Rough Edges Rough Edges PEIPOD PEIPOD SWOP SWOP MSICMSIC
OUTREACH SWEEPS Regular joint outreach sweeps have been conducted across the broader Kings Cross area involving staff from a number of outreach services. The aim of the sweeps was to gather standardised data on the number, age, needs and locations of youth in the area to assist future planning and outreach operations.
SWEEP FINDINGS The following data analysis is from the Outreach Sweeps performed over twelve Saturday evenings monthly from September 2005 – August A total of 248 surveys were completed. There were an average of five refusals per evening.
AGE ANALYSIS
GENDER
ABORIGINAL / TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER
HOME BY REGION
NIGHTS IN CROSS
ACCOMMODATION TONIGHT
AGENCIES ACCESSED
TIME ANALYSIS
WHY IN CROSS
BROKERAGE FUNDS A Kings Cross Youth At Risk Brokerage Fund has been established to support individuals move off the streets through direct and individualised brokerage packages. The Brokerage Fund can be used to support actions and initiatives not available through other services
BROKERAGE USAGE Between July 2005 and July brokerage applications have been approved and administered. A total of 368 individuals received financial assistance through the scheme.
TYPE OF BROKERAGE
BROKERAGE REQUIRED
AGE OF APPLICANTS
GENDER BREAKDOWN
AGENCY APPLICATIONS
WITH THANKS TO: THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS (KINGS CROSS) STEERING COMMITTEE, REPRESENTED BY: South East Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service South East Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service Department of Community Services Department of Community Services Department of Housing Department of Housing Oasis Youth Support Network Oasis Youth Support Network Kirketon Road Centre Kirketon Road Centre Sydney City Council Sydney City Council Kings Cross Police Kings Cross Police
WITH THANKS TO: THE COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS (KINGS CROSS) OUTREACH COORDINATION COMMITTEE, REPRESENTED BY: The Crossing The Crossing The Come In Centre The Come In Centre Kings Cross Adolescent Unit Kings Cross Adolescent Unit Oasis Youth Support Network Oasis Youth Support Network JNC JNC MSICMSIC Kirketon Road Centre Kirketon Road Centre The Wayside Chapel The Wayside Chapel Rough Edges Rough Edges PEIPOD PEIPOD SWOP SWOP Salvation Army SOSSalvation Army SOS
FOR MORE INFORMATION PROJECT COORDINATOR CINDI PETERSEN (02) / nsw.gov.au