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Mental health services need long-term funding certainty
Recent Federal changes to mental health funding have created a rushed transition to a new model and insecure, short-term funding solutions, says Jesuit Social Services. The organisation’s Support After Suicide program has worked with people bereaved by the suicide of a loved one since 2004. It serves as a bereavement support and a suicide prevention…
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Suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation
New research showing the suicide toll exceeded the road toll in 28 electorates across the country is crucial in urging our country’s leaders to commit to a national suicide prevention program. But in many areas of Australia, the suicide risk cannot be dealt with in isolation from a complex web of persistent disadvantage, according to…
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A ten-fold over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth on community orders and in youth detention means these children are at risk of becoming a new Stolen Generation unless significant action is taken, says Jesuit Social Services. In the lead up to National Sorry Day, the organisation has analysed data from the Australian Institute…
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Most disadvantaged learners to benefit from Victorian Government’s Navigator initiative
Jesuit Social Services is proud to have successfully tendered to deliver casework and support to disadvantaged young learners as part of the Victorian Government’s Navigator initiative. Navigator, announced in September 2015, is part of the Victorian Government’s state-wide Education State: Schools reform agenda. The $8.6 million two-year Navigator pilot will work with disengaged learners aged…
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Victorian State Budget investment into vulnerable young people welcome
Investments in housing for people who have experienced family violence, a $32 million expansion of the Drug Court, an expansion of the successful Youth Diversion Pilot Program and $27.5 million dedicated to suicide prevention programs are welcome inclusions in the 2016-17 Victorian State Budget, says Jesuit Social Services. “With this budget, the Victorian Government has…
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People seeking asylum on Manus Island must be processed in Australia
In response to the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court’s ruling that Australia’s detention of people seeking asylum on Manus Island is illegal, Jesuit Social Services has called on the Federal Government to commit to processing the applications of approximately 850 people currently on Manus Island here in Australia. “Yesterday’s decision by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme…
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Youth diversion helps young people avoid lifetime involvement with the justice system
Jesuit Social Services has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $5.6 million budget investment to expand the current Youth Diversion Pilot Program which steers vulnerable young people away from future involvement in the justice system and works to reduce reoffending. “Youth diversion programs are crucial in allowing young people to address the causes behind their offending while…
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State Government must commit to 15 per cent reduction in reoffending: Jesuit Social Services
Ahead of the Victorian State Budget, Jesuit Social Services has urged the State Government to commit to achieving a 15 per cent reduction in reoffending rates over the next five years. “Every dollar spent in the budget is a dollar not being spent on vital community services like housing, education and mental health,” says Jesuit…
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Proactive approach to family violence will promote safety: Jesuit Social Services
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the final report of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, publicly released today, and congratulates the Victorian Government for its commitment to implement all 227 recommendations. “Today’s report marks a critical opportunity for government, in partnership with community, to make real and lasting changes in the area of family violence,” says Jesuit…
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Increasing Indigenous prison rates requires a rethink
New data released yesterday revealing a further increase in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people incarcerated in Victoria is evidence that further work is needed to meet the specific needs of these groups in the justice system, says Jesuit Social Services. Quarterly Corrective Services statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics…