- Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation appointed to deliver the Target 120 program in Derby
- Early intervention program steering at-risk young people away from the criminal justice system, helping to create safer communities
- Nearly half of all participants have had no further contact with police
Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation (ENAC) has today been announced as the successful service provider to deliver the McGowan Government's Target 120 program in Derby.
ENAC, a not-for-profit Aboriginal-Community-Controlled Organisation, has been operating in the Derby community for more than 20 years and will leverage their existing established relationships to deliver Target 120.
The appointment builds on the early intervention program's success in other locations, where it is helping to steer young people at risk of offending away from the criminal justice system by connecting them with tailored services and supports.
Those delivering the program work across services and agencies to tackle the various factors that can increase a young person's likelihood of offending, which include substance abuse, poor attendance at school, lack of housing, family and domestic violence, trauma and mental health issues.
Target 120 has proven extremely successful, with nearly half of all participants having no further contact with police since their commencement in the program.
The appointment follows the McGowan Government's further investment of $11.7 million to extend the program across all sites until June 2025, taking total investment in the program to more than $43 million.
As stated by Community Services Minister Sabine Winton:
"I'm really pleased that we continue to expand this important early intervention program across Western Australia to support our young people and create safer communities.
"A huge key to the program's success is making sure we appoint the right service providers with good local knowledge and community relationships, like Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation, to deliver the program in each location.
"Today's announcement reinforces our Government's commitment to addressing youth crime and social issues in our regions."
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D'Anna:
"We know that locally-led initiatives are the best way to address these complex issues like youth crime, so it's really great to see this program continue to expand across the State.
"I look forward to seeing Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation working closely with local young people and their families to help make a positive difference to their lives."
