- Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment for new community-led early intervention programs, with the first of its Gold Standard Early Intervention Kickstarter announced today.
- The 'Indigenous Mana Academy' in Moreton Bay will deliver early intervention for at-risk youth showing early signs of disengagement, anti-social or criminal behavior.
- Program uses rugby league, mentoring, cultural camps, and family engagement sessions to re-engage young people back into education and the community.
- Funding is part of a $100 million investment to deliver Gold Standard Early Intervention through community-led early intervention programs to restore safety where you live.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment to fund early intervention programs to break the cycle of crime, with the first of its Gold Standard Early Intervention Kickstarter grants announced today in Moreton Bay.
Indigenous Mana will receive funding under the first round of the Kickstarter Grants program, with a $300,000 grant for their new early intervention program for at-risk youth.
The Indigenous Mana Academy will support young people aged 10–17 in the Moreton Bay region over 12 months, using rugby league, mentorship, and cultural activities to re-engage at-risk youth back into education, reduce anti-social behaviour and strengthen family and community connections.
Delivered in partnership with First Nations businesses and Elders, the program will offer a range of supports including rugby training sessions, mentoring, cultural camps, and family engagement sessions.
The Kickstarter program is part of the Crisafulli Government's four-year $100 million Gold Standard Early Intervention program, with half to be set aside to kickstart new programs and the remaining funds to provide ongoing funding for programs with proven results.
The Crisafulli Government's Gold Standard Early Intervention program will deliver best in class early intervention for at-risk youth showing early signs of criminal behaviour with the education, life skills and support to divert from a life of crime.
Each program will be regionally focused and tailored to meet the needs of local communities, with nearly $10 million to be awarded in the first round of Kickstarter grants to organisations across the State.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Gold Standard Early Intervention Kickstarter grants were just some of the new early intervention programs funded in the Budget to help restore safety where you live.
"More police, stronger laws, early intervention and rehabilitation is what we promised to help Make Queensland Safer and it's what we're delivering," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This is about intervening early and returning consequences for actions, to break the cycle of crime before youths become repeat criminals.
"It's about turning kids lives around early, so we have less crime and fewer victims."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said early intervention programs were crucial to breaking the cycle of crime to prevent the next generation of youth offenders.
"We know one of the best ways to reduce crime is to intervene early before young people become entrenched in a life of crime," Minister Gerber said.
"Labor's failure to properly fund effective early intervention programs led to a decade of increasing numbers of youth offenders and victims of crime.
"These programs will break the cycle of crime in this State by providing the education, life skills and support to guide troubled youth towards a brighter future.
"By reducing the number of youth offenders, we will reduce the number of victims of crime in Queensland."
Member for Redcliffe Kerri-Anne Dooley said the local early intervention program was a key step in restoring safety to the Moreton Bay area.
"We must give these teens the tools they need to forge a better path in life and sport is a great way to do that," Ms Dooley said.
"Early intervention is an opportunity to teach teens every action has a consequence, while also providing them guidance, connection and discipline to get them back on track."
Indigenous Mana Founder and Managing Director Tania Goldsmith said the funding would help transform young lives by addressing the root causes of disadvantage and guide youth towards opportunities for growth and success.
"We are excited to bring our program to the Moreton Bay region, which has a growing population of First Nations cultures and Polynesian young people," Ms Goldsmith said.
"At Indigenous Mana we believe reconnecting young people with their culture will drive their intrinsic motivation to make positive changes to their lives and create a brighter future."
