- The Crisafulli Government is delivering two new early intervention programs for South West Queensland to restore safety where you live.
- Programs provide education, mentoring, and community engagement to divert at-risk youth away from crime.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering Gold Standard Early Intervention to stop crime before it starts and make Queensland safer.
- The Crisafulli Government's stronger laws, more police, early intervention and rehabilitation is starting to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis, delivering a 7.2 per cent drop in the number of victims of crime in 2025.
The Crisafulli Government is breaking the cycle of crime and restoring safety where you live with two new Kickstarter early intervention programs in South West Queensland.
It is just one way the Crisafulli Government is making Queensland safer after crime skyrocketed during Labor's decade of decline.
Momentum Mental Health will support at-risk youth aged 8-17 and their families in Toowoomba, with a 12-month mentoring program to re-engage youth with education, training and employment.
Reason to Thrive will support at-risk youth aged 10-17 in Toowoomba, Lockyer, and Brisbane's west with a program that uses animal care, equine therapy, and outdoor learning to teach emotional and behavioural regulation.
The programs are funded under the Crisafulli Government's Kickstarter early intervention grants and help make Toowoomba safer by intervening early before youth become entrenched in a life of crime.
Labor's weak laws, fewer police and failure to invest in early intervention created a generation of serious repeat youth offenders and Queensland's Youth Crime Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government is restoring safety where you live with stronger laws, more police, and the biggest investment in rehabilitation and early intervention in Queensland history.
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said early intervention was vital to making Queensland safer and reducing victims of crime.
"We are investing in early intervention because we know it's a critical step to prevent youth from falling into a life of crime," Minister Gerber said.
"Addressing the early signs of disengagement, anti-social or criminal behaviour is critical to breaking the cycle of crime and putting youth back on the right track."
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the funding came after a decade of underinvestment from the former Labor Government.
"Investing in programs that intervene early means we can turn young lives around before they become entrenched in a life of crime," Mr Janetzki said.
Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the Crisafulli Government was investing a record $560 million in early intervention and rehabilitation for youth to make Queensland safer.
"Early intervention is a key part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to break the cycle of crime and restore safety to Toowoomba," Mr Watts said.
Member for Lockyer Jim McDonald said Kickstarter gave at-risk youth a pathway out of crime and toward a brighter future.
"Our community suffered during Labor's Youth Crime Crisis and early-intervention programs, like this one, are part of our plan to break the cycle of crime across regional South East Queensland," Mr McDonald said.
Momentum Mental Health CEO Shirley-Anne Gardiner said she was excited and privileged to be part of the Kickstarter program.
"Building Momentum for Youth and Families is about intervening early and providing the right wraparound support for young people and the people who care about them," Ms Gardiner said.
"By strengthening families, building skills and connection, and responding before challenges escalate, we can help young people stay engaged in positive pathways and reduce the risk of long-term harm."
Reason to Thrive Business Development Manager Julie Tom said early and tailored intervention could change the direction of a young person's life.
"When we intervene early and provide the right support, we don't just change outcomes – we change life trajectories," Ms Tom said.
"Our program gives young people the tools, trust, and belief they need to build safer, stronger futures for themselves and those around them."
