AICAFMHA:
promoting mental health for young Australians
Australian Infant, Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association Ltd
ABN 87 093 479 022
NYPS Project Update - 05/11/2004
Another fortnight has cruised on by and of course that means another update on the project?.
BIG NEWS -
The contract for the project has been EXTENDED! Feedback from the reference
group supported the view that what we are trying to set out to do is ambitious
but can be done.
"It won't happen over night but it will happen", Jess 13
With Christmas and January school holidays falling right in the middle of the journey concern was raised as to its effect on the consultation process with youth.
CONTRACT UPDATE
So, the contract has been extended by 3 months with the plan now:
Now - December
Discussion with key state based people and programs around the country as to
what they are up to and how they work
January
Development of draft models for youth participation
February - March
Distribution of draft models - we want you guys to have your SAY!
March - April
Collection of Feedback and review of draft documents
May - June
Discussion with Department of Health and Ageing - finalize documents.
NATIONAL CONSULTATION GROUP
I have been a busy little beaver talking with government and non-government
youth peak bodies throughout Australia to discuss their involvement in the
National Consultation Group. Interestingly the way we are liaising with the
various groups is quite different and I think this process will be reflected
in the model as many people have said to me?"a one size fits all approach
won't work" and how true that is!
THE PROCESS SO FAR?
Meeting with groups who have a mental health and non-mental health background
to discuss materials and processes.
Negotiating with youth and service providers as to how best consult with them
Commencing initial consultation forums through a variety of ways:
- Collating information through online registration form
- Emailing lists
- Telephone calls
- Conference call - with and without visual support
- Activity based group
"It's good but it's a bit too much in one go, some groups might want to talk it over a few meetings", Michael 15
FORUMS?.
We are really keen for these to happen and happen well as AICAFMHA's desire
to hear what young people have to say is GENUINE.
So if you are interested please CALL - 08 82786 2283 or email - smith.dy@saugov.sa.gov.au - as we are happy to work out the process that best suits YOU!
Our underlying beliefs, based on Rudduck's ideas 2003, are that:
* the purpose of the consultation is explained to the young people
* young people know what will happen to the data
* various opportunities are provided and suite their developmental level
* an environment is provided where they can feel confident and safe expressing
their opinion or describing a feeling or an experience
* feedback or some form of a debriefing process is offered to those who have
been consulted
* action taken is explained and where necessary justified so that young people
understand the wider context of concerns, alongside their own input, that
shape decisions.
Based on Ruddock's ideas 2003.
EMAILING LIST
We encourage you to use this emailing list as a discussion tool or I am
happy for you to email me directly if you have any information you would
like to have put 'out there' for discussion.
INFORMATION UPDATE
An interesting point? which highlights youth participation should be part
of our every day life instead of something else we have to do.
Research tells us that young people believe it is better for them when they:
- Have an active voice;
- Can make a difference;
- Can be better prepared for 'life' not only school life but the next step
'working life';
- Can connect with others socially in the community.
Therefore participation and the teaching and learning of new skills needs
to be undertaken using a transformative approach as we want to transform not
just the learner but to support the learner in transforming the world.
(Holdsworth 2004)
Thank you for your ongoing support?
NB: All fortnightly updates are available on the website www.aicafmha.net.au - mouseover Youth then click onUpdates
Holdsworth, R. (2004). "Student Action Teams: What do we Learn." Youth Research Center Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne.
Rudduck, J., and Flutter, J., (2003). "Consulting Young People in School." ESRC - Economic and Social Research Council.
Dyanna Smith-McCue
National Youth Participation Strategy Project Officer
smith.dy@saugov.sa.gov.au
Ph: (08) 8161 7338
Fax: (08) 8161 6983
PO Box 387, Stepney SA 5069
http://www.aicafmha.net.au/youth_participation/index.html
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