MEDIA RELEASE
 
26thFebruary 2019
 
Forsaken young people
 
Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) is questioning the lack of investment in the youth sector, the front line in working with children and young people. In its annual pre-budget submissionto the Treasury, YANQ has once again outlined a number of urgent proposals requiring funding by State Government. Queensland 2019 Local Hero, Youth Advocate and Vice-President of YANQ, Elijah Buol OAM said “Every year we have been raising the need for investment in the youth sector but It seems that there are more pressing priorities for the Government than wellbeing of our young people. For all intent and purposes, it seems young people have been forsaken”. 
 
“Neglecting children should ring warning bells for the Queensland Government and the broader community” said Debbie Kilroy OAM, prominent Human Rights Advocate and a committee member of YANQ. She went on to say “Unless we invest in children’s lives, we will end up paying a much higher price both in terms of social harmony as well as financial cost to the Government. Lack of support exacerbates the chances of these children becoming entrenched in homelessness, developing ongoing mental health issues, and ending up in the criminal justice system.”
 
Every child deserves to have the support and opportunities available to make positive choices. The responsibility for providing this support and opportunities lie in the hands of adults in society. Unfortunately, many young people do not have a significant adult in their life due to a range of socio-economic reasons. These young people have no meaningful connection to family or community. Many have been abused in various ways to a point where their trust of the outside world has been totally broken.
 
Youth workers possess the necessary skills that allows them to build relationships with these young people. However, youth services are struggling with demand and are unable to provide the quality services needed due to lack of funding. As a result, burn out is very high and the youth sector struggles to retain workers. Youth workers are not receiving appropriate supervision, training and professional development and this means the Government’s current investment is not maximised.
 
 YANQ has been praising the State Government for some of the progressive reforms it has undertaken in recent years which includes transferring children from adult prisons to the youth justice system. YANQ has also been grateful for receiving $100,000 interim funding over the past two years. However, this level of funding does not allow YANQ to undertake all the necessary work to support and represent the youth sector across the state. 
 
“Young people are the backbone of modern Queensland and investing in them today, is preparing a better tomorrow. The brick we lay today, determine the foundation of modern Queensland in the next generations to come. But this foundation can’t be realised unless we put more funding and resources in youth sector in order to support young people who need our support the most. Therefore, I appeal to Queensland government to invest more in youth sector and young people as this approach sets a prosperity agenda for Queensland” said Elijah Buol, Vice President of YANQ.
 
YANQ is the peak body representing the youth sector for the past 30 years. YANQ is the only voice for marginalised young people with over 600 individuals and organisational members from across Queensland. 
 
Core operational funding of YANQ was cut by LNP/Newman government 6 years ago and has still not been reinstated by the Labor Government.
 
CONTACT:
 
Elijah Buol, 0423 040 875, elijahbuol@gmail.com
 
Debbie Kilroy, 0419 762 474, deb@sistersinside.com.au

Here is the link to the latest Queensland Youth Sector News 
https://mailchi.mp/603586d0ad5d/queensland-youth-sector-news-23rd-july-1461857

Youth Affairs Network of Queensland (YANQ) launched this report which builds upon a pilot study that was conducted for YANQ in 2010. In that study we collected data from a small, diverse group of alternative schools in South-East Queensland. We identified some of the practices that had worked to engage marginalised young people facing very difficult life circumstances back into learning. This Australian Research Council funded project was able to build upon that pilot study by adding regional and rural case study alternative schools that cater to the needs of some of the most marginalised young people in Queensland. ​

Qld Youth Sector Survey 2017
YANQ has received interim funding from Department of Communities to maintain our connection with the youth sector whilst seeking recurrent funding.
This is an opportunity for you to help shape YANQ’s future as the peak body for the youth sector in Queensland. The following survey aims to find out what you believe should be YANQ’s main roles. How can we best support the youth sector and young people? What is the best structure for undertaking this work? What do you think our priority work areas should be?
We have tried to keep the survey as brief as possible … but please do not hesitate to raise any other issues and ideas in the space provided at the end.
Please share this survey far and wide in the youth sector. It is now 4 years since YANQ was totally defunded and during this time many new workers have joined the sector who may not have even heard about YANQ. We want to hear from as many youth workers and managers/coordinators as possible. 
By completing the survey you will become eligible to enter the draw with an opportunity to win one of the three $30 book vouchers from Avid Reader. If you would like to enter the draw, please complete the survey and enter your details at the end. All answers will be de-identified.
Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YANQ