- Crisafulli Government is delivering on a critical pillar of its Making Our Community Safer Plan, with the first Regional Reset program to start operating within months.
- Kokoda Youth Foundation will deliver an intensive early intervention program for at-risk youth aged 12-17 in the Ipswich-Darling Downs region.
- The 12-month program will include three short-stay 'resets' for each at-risk youth, with mentoring and family engagement sessions to help them re-engage with education and the community.
- Program is part of a $560 million investment in new early intervention and rehabilitation programs funded in the Budget to restore safety where you live.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a critical pillar of its Making Our Community Safer Plan, with the first early intervention Regional Reset program announced today.
The new program, to be delivered by Kokoda Youth Foundation, will offer 12 months of support for at-risk youth showing early signs of disengagement, antisocial or criminal behaviour in the Ipswich-Darling Downs region.
Participants will undertake three short-stay 'resets' over one year, at a residential facility at Kokoda Park, where they will receive 24/7 support and supervision, participate in activities to develop emotional, social, and physical skills, including cultural learning, mentoring, education, outdoor bootcamp-style personal development challenges and digital detoxes.
The program will also include family engagement sessions and tailored support to help re-engage youth back into their community and divert them from crime.
The Crisafulli Government's $50 million Regional Reset program will be delivered in nine locations across the State and is one of several new Early Intervention programs funded in the Budget, to help restore safety where you live.
Premier David Crisafulli said Regional Reset would help restore safety where you live to help make Queensland safer.
"Regional Reset is an important part of our plan to prevent the next generation of hardcore repeat offenders and start to make Queensland safer," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Only with more police, stronger laws, rehabilitation and early intervention that works will we start to turn the tide on Labor's Youth Crime Crisis.
"Making Queensland safer is about keeping dangerous youth criminals off our streets, while turning other young lives away from crime by restoring consequences for actions and delivering the support through targeted early intervention.
"This is the reset that's needed for young lives by giving them the tools they need to make better choices and stop the carousal of crime."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said Regional Reset program would help break the cycle of youth crime in Queensland.
"We know one of the best ways to reduce crime is to intervene early and these programs are designed to completely reset the habits and behaviours that lead young people down a life of crime," Minister Gerber said.
"This program will give at-risk youth the skills, education and support they need to make positive choices and become productive members of their community.
"By turning kids' lives around early, we will have less youth offenders, fewer victims of crime and a safer community."
Kokoda Youth Foundation Chief Executive Officer Angie Debnam said the funding would help transform young lives by giving them the opportunity to build a positive future.
"We welcome this investment by the Queensland Government, which will allow the Kokoda Youth Foundation to support young people in Ipswich over the next four years," Ms Debnam said.
Our program provides structure, support and a vital circuit-breaker for those at risk of entering the youth justice system, helping them build resilience, reconnect with community and reset their direction."
