AYAC needs to know where youth workers are, what they are doing, and what challenges they face in their work.

Right now, there is not enough research to paint a clear picture of what it is like being youth worker today. This information is vital, so we can lobby decision makers to give proper support to youth work and to address the most pressing challenges facing you -- the youth sector -- and the young people you work with.

Who?
Anyone providing youth work services to young people aged 12-26 years can complete the survey.

Win an iPad?
Complete the survey by Monday 4th February 2013 and you will go into the draw to win one of two Apple iPads! If you currently live outside the capital cities, you'll go into the draw twice, so there's more reasons to take part in this fantastic research.

What do I do now?
To complete the survey online, go to bit.ly/AYACsnapshot

Printable copies of the survey and updates on the prize draw are also available on the AYAC website: www.ayac.org.au/project/AYACsnapshot2013.html

The McCarthy Mentoring Not For Profit Executive Scholarship will be launched in December 2012.

The scholarship is designed to assist a leader within the not for profit sector progress their career, strengthen their leadership skills and increase the impact of their important work in the community.

The scholarship includes a 12 month mentoring program with a carefully selected mentor external to the organisation. The mentor will be chosen from our suite of well-respected leaders from business government and the not for profit sector that have not only reached the top of their fields but share our commitment to developing others.

The program provides the mentee with a trusted confidential advisor to assist them:

• Develop their leadership skills and capacity
• build confidence and resilience
• clarify their goals and career path
• broaden networks
• manage challenging workplace issues
• gain support from board and other stakeholders

 A report that shows statistical evidence of the link between child abuse, neglect, homelessness and juvenile justice supervision has just been released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

The 46-page report, Children and young people at risk of social exclusion: Links between homelessness, child protection and juvenile justice, found evidence to support the fact that young people in one of three areas (Supported Accommodation Assistance Programs, juvenile justice supervision, and child protection) have an increased risk of being involved in the other two areas.

For further information, and to download the report, go to: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129542237 Printed copies of the report can also be purchased from the AIHW.

(Source: Youth Field Express, ACYS)