- Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment for community-led early intervention programs for the Toowoomba region.
- Three new Kickstarter early intervention programs will be delivered to help make Toowoomba safer.
- Programs are part of a $115 million investment to deliver Gold Standard Early Intervention in the Crisafulli Government's Making Our Community Safer Plan.
- The Government is delivering safety where you live, and a fresh start for Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its election commitment with three new community-led youth early intervention programs in the Toowoomba region to help restore safety where you live.
The programs will be delivered with Kickstarter funding as part of the Crisafulli Government's $115 million investment in Gold Standard Early Intervention across Queensland to prevent crime before it starts and reduce victims of crime.
The three new programs for the Toowoomba region are:
Adapt Mentorship Indigenous Corporation 12-month program will deliver culturally responsive mentoring, creative activities and tailored support to reduce crime and promote positive behaviour for First Nations youth aged 8-17.
Downs Industry Schools Co-operation Inc Step Up Now program 5-month program will support at-risk youth to develop life skills, resilience, and to transition into education, employment, or training.
Village Support Limited's Where We All Belong initiative will support young people and their families, working in partnership with schools to deliver tailored supports, combining, sports, cultural programs, career workshops and family forums to reduce offending behaviour.
For a decade, Labor's weak laws, fewer police and lack of early intervention created a generation of serious repeat offenders.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for, exactly as promised.
"We are helping make Queensland safer with more police, stronger laws, early intervention and rehabilitation," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This Kickstarter funding is about supporting new programs to deliver the best early intervention to turn young lives around before they become entrenched in crime.
"Only with Adult Crime, Adult Time, more police, rehabilitation and early intervention can we turn the tide on a Youth Crime Crisis a decade in the making.
"While we are seeing crime down and victim numbers down, there is much more to be done to make Queensland safer, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised."
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said effective early intervention programs were 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 young people from falling into a life of crime," Minister Gerber said.
"For 10 years, Labor watched on as the number of youth offenders climbed, and youth detention became a revolving door.
"Early intervention is an investment in a positive future, offering youth a path away from a life of crime, while also helping restore safety where you live."
Member for Toowoomba South and Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki welcomed the funding for the region.
"Early intervention is an important tool to prevent youth crime and help restore safety where you live," he said.
"By identifying and addressing risk factors early, we can support young people to make positive choices, reduce youth offending and deliver better outcomes for our communities."
Member for Toowoomba North and Assistant Minister to the Premier for Cabinet and South West Queensland Trevor Watts said Kickstarter grants were an investment in a positive future for at-risk youth.
"We are supporting organisations to deliver initiatives that re-engage our youth with education and employment outcomes, helping to reintegrate youth into society as productive, accomplished individuals."
