The State Government is investing in support for Aboriginal young people and community safety with an expansion of the successful Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) Program to Moree and other locations across the state.
Youth Justice NSW’s SAY Program will soon provide safe transport and outreach services for Aboriginal youth in Tamworth, Moree, and other regional centres across NSW.
This builds on the positive impact the program is already making in Kempsey, Taree, Newcastle, Dubbo, Bourke and Wilcannia. The SAY program is designed to help young people who are on the streets late at night stay safe, as well as diverting them from harmful activities and reducing the likelihood of criminal involvement.
“The expansion of the Safe Aboriginal Youth Program delivers on our commitment to strengthen intervention programs and is a step forward for Aboriginal young people in these communities, building on a tried and tested model that has helped other towns across NSW,” said Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib.
“It’s important that these programs are led by the community and that’s why we are prioritising Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. The support provided by SAY and other programs plays an important role in reaching the state’s Closing the Gap objectives and improving outcomes for Aboriginal youth in NSW.”
The expansion of the program is funded through a $26.2 million package of reforms and initiatives to support community safety and wellbeing, particularly in regional NSW, with a focus on strengthening early intervention and prevention programs for young people.
The new locations for the program were identified following extensive consultation with local communities and analysis of crime data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR).
The expansion comes as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap, which in the Youth Justice space focuses on early intervention services to help prevent young people from becoming involved in the justice system.
“Diversionary and support programs can help keep young people safe and away from a life of crime, and the expansion of the SAY program to Moree is a welcome addition for our community,” said Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan.
“We want better outcomes for families and young people in Moree, and this program puts the community at the centre.”
A tender process will begin in November and will prioritise Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to manage the services in these new areas.
The tender process is expected to be finalised by April 2025.
Youth Justice NSW is committed to ensuring the SAY Program is community-driven, with services tailored to each area.
Don’t miss any of the important stories from around the region. Subscribe to our email list.