Funding boost for youth intervention program

New funding means an early intervention program in the City of Moreton Bay, that aims to help vulnerable young people build positive relationships with family and the community, can continue for the next 12 months.

The Compass program, which is an initiative of Lutheran Services’ Intercept Youth and Family Program, supported 40 young people in the region last year.

Intercept Service Manager Sarah Souter says the funding will allow the organisation to build on the success of the program, which launched in 2023 as a pilot.

“We are thrilled to continue the Compass program after receiving a 12-month grant via the Targeted Response to Youth Crime from the Queensland Government’s Department of Youth Justice,’’ Sarah says.

“Compass participants are young people aged 10 to 16 who may be experiencing some common risk factors such as disengagement from school, conflict in the family and peer relationships.

“Last year, our data showed the biggest area of improvement was an increased connection to education.’’

Sarah says involvement of parents, carers and families in the program is essential.

“We work closely with families as we know that working with young people in isolation does not create lasting change,’’ she says.

“We provide parents and carers with support and advice on their responses to challenging behaviours, setting boundaries and understanding the developmental stages of a young person.

“It’s empowering for parents when they feel more confident to respond appropriately to behavioural issues.’’

The program was created using the Intercept team’s experience in fields including social work and psychology.

“An essential part of the Compass program is building rapport and connection with young people and their families in a non-judgmental way,’’ Sarah says.

“As an outreach-based program, our team aims to reduce any barriers to participants by meeting them one-on-one with their case manager in an environment where they feel most comfortable. It might be a park, library or the family home.

“At the completion of the program, the young people and their families are asked to rate themselves to establish how effective the intervention has been. It has been powerful for them all to see how far they have come. I am proud of what this program has already achieved.’’

Intercept, a not-for-profit community support service provided by Lutheran Services, runs nine programs to support at-risk young people and their families in Moreton Bay.

The Caboolture-based service is a finalist in the Not-for-Profit Excellence category of the 2024 Moreton Bay Business and Innovation Awards to be announced on October 18.

For more information about Intercept’s programs phone 1800 960 433 or visit the website