Youth Support Service (YASS)
About YASS
YASS works with young people aged 15-25 (Moreton Bay) & 15-19 (Greater Brisbane) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or require additional support to their legal issues. The team is based in Brisbane and Caboolture but travels to where young people are. YASS can help:
- find somewhere to live – now and in the longer term
- help young people develop the skills they need to live independently
- support young people who are transitioning from homelessness, detention, youth justice and the child protection system and help engage with legal supports
- work out a young person's goals and how to achieve them
- ensure young people are heard
- court support, including when young people are the victim of a crime and giving evidence
- provide information, referrals and short-term intervention through supportive engagement in various outreach locations
Youth Court Assistance Program (YCAP)
YCAP is a court support program that identifies and responds to court related social support needs on Children’s Court days at several court locations. YCAP helps to:
- ensure young people have legal help and understand the court process
- identify any social support needs of the young person
provide information and referrals in relation to bail support, homelessness and any other issues which may contribute to the young person’s involvement with the justice system
YCAP operates at the following Childrens Courts:
- Brisbane
- Pine Rivers
- Caboolture
- Redcliffe
- Richlands
- Ipswich
- Cairns
Positive Moves
The Positive Moves program is a new program funded under the Brisbane City Council’s Pathways Out of Homelessness Grant Program.
Positive Moves supports young people aged 14-19 in Brisbane to transition to stable housing or return to the family home, particularly when exiting detention, and address emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Why we provide Youth Support
Research provides evidence of a clear link between homelessness and risk of interaction with the criminal justice system – both as cause and effect - as well as mental health and substance use problems.
Having a safe and reliable place to live is vitally important to mental well-being and is critical to ensuring young people have the foundations and opportunities to flourish.
Partnerships
PIEEC
YAC's outreach in the Moreton Bay and Bribie Island area is completed in partnership with PIEEC.
Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council Inc (PIEEC), established for the Indigenous community in Pumicestone region. PIEEC will support & represent Indigenous students, families, through advocacy, cultural promotion and activities, inclusion, education and linking with employment opportunities, in the Pumicestone electorate which encompasses the schools; Bribie Island State School, Banksia Beach State School, Bribie Island High School, Caboolture State School, Caboolture State High, Beachmere State School and Pumicestone State School and the Private Education institutions.
PIEEC membership comprises of Indigenous Parents, Carers, kinship family, Elders and supportive community members. PIEEC will become the essential link between community and government stakeholders i.e Education Queensland, Federal Department for Education, Employment. Training and Skills, providing advice to both local, federal and state levels on strategic policy development and reform.
PIEEC will be the hub that Parent/Careers, community members can approach to seek other services to link with in the local Pumicestone region and the broader services delivering support for Indigenous students, families and communities.
YASS can help:
- Find somewhere to live
- Achieve your goals
- Give you support where needed
To get started, contact us on (07) 3356 1002.
Contact YAC
Street address: Level 4, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane Q 4101
Mailing address: Level 4, 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane Q 4101
Tel: (07) 3356 1002
Bussiness hours: 9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri
If you need urgent assistance outside of these hours:
- Youth Legal Advice Hotline 1800 527 527 (Mon to Thurs 8am - 9pm, Friday 8am to Sunday 5pm)
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- Homelessness Hotline 1800 474 753 (24/7, 365 days per year)
- If you are over 18, and seeking access to Mental Health Services in Queensland, Acute Care Team on 1300 MHCALL (1300 64 2255).
