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School Focused Youth Services
School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) was established in 1998 as a joint initiative of the Department of Human Services and the then Department of Education. The program is currently the responsibility of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Family Life is an auspice body, contracted to deliver the SFYS program in the Bayside and Kingston Local Government Areas.
The service aims to strengthen the support for 10-18 year old vulnerable children and young people by improving integrated service response, facilitating partnerships, and coordination of services between Government, Catholic and Independent schools and community service organisations at a local level. This coordination of response is expected to result in improved outcomes for young people who are considered vulnerable to one or more of the following risk factors: violence, offending, depressive mood and depressive disorders, self-harm, and substance abuse. The brokerage aspect of the SFYS program supports innovative projects that meet the needs of the target group.
Click here for SFYS resources in the Bayside and Kingston regions.
For more information please phone 03 8599 5433 / 8599 LIFE or click here to send an email.
Examples of brokered programs
Full-On Theatre Company
The Full-On Theatre Company was supported to engage with three local Secondary Schools, and partner with the Family Life SHINE team to create a new theatre production focused on the issues of anxiety and depression. The project involved the theatre company delivering number of workshops for approximately 50 students to stimulate storyboard ideas for inclusion in the final production, and health professionals supporting the de-briefing of students as well as providing tools for better mental health. The establishment of a steering committee that included school staff, students, health professionals, and the actors successfully guided the project and was an important aspect of the partnership. The final production was performed to 300+ students and the evaluation report is in process. Anecdotal evidence showed the schools valued the innovative approach to addressing mental health issues and the collaboration of services.
Buddy Up for Kids Safety
In 2010, the "Buddy Up for Kids Safety" project was delivered at a local primary school and was essentially a wellbeing week - involving partnering with a Victoria Police Youth Resource Officer, and the South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (SECASA) and providing a barbecue lunch for grandparents, having the Police Band attend, learning Tai Chi and having parent information sessions on Cyber bullying.
Head Heart and Hormones
Another successful project called "Head Heart and Hormones" saw a school partner with SECASA and address issues including relationships, anger management, conflict resolution, sexuality, bullying, and resilience.
