NSW Government’s $9 million boost for early intervention Youth on Track program

A massive state grant could help prevent at risk youths from reoffending in Coffs Harbour. See the full story.

A massive $9 million commitment by the NSW Government to extend the Youth Justice NSW early intervention program Youth on Track could steer local youths on the right path.

The program, designed for at-risk youth who have already been cautioned or charged, could change the life of local youths who are currently lacking support.

Chief strategy officer Katrina Luckie said Youth on Track focuses heavily on family intervention and collaborates with NSW Police.

“We collaborate with police through exercise programs between the youth and police officers,” Ms Luckie said.

The program runs for a minimum of 3 months up to a year, targeting youth between 12 and 18.

L to R: NSW Police Aboriginal community Liaison Officer Kevin Wilson, Coffs Clarence Police Acting Crime Coordinator Acting Sergeant Jo Brooker, Youth On Track case worker Jason Sciacca, Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, Youth On Track case worker Binx Jade, Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones, and Coffs Clarence Police Acting Youth Liaison Officer Senior Constable Tegan Baker. Picture: Craig McTear

Jason Sciacca is a case worker who has worked with Youth on Track for five years.

He said he would like to see more case workers, as Coffs Harbour currently only has two and cannot meet the need in the community.

“We need more support, more case workers,” he said.

Sciacca welcomed the new commitment from the NSW Government as now children can wait for weeks to access vital services.

“With only two case workers, it’s a stretch, there are so many children on our waiting list they often have to wait weeks to get help”

Mr Sciacca has previously worked in correctional environments in North Queensland but said they are unnatural.

“Nothing about them is correctional,” he said.

He said working with the youth to give them choice and freedom is preferable.

“Our aim is to divert kids away from the system.”

Jason Sciacca has worked with hundreds of ids over 5 years and Katrina Luckie is the chief strategy officer for Youth on Track.

One Youth on Track participant – who spoke anonymously – said the program allowed him to form decisions on how he wanted to live his life away from bad influences.

“My life wasn't going down a real good track,” he said.

“I had a few run-ins with the police and fighting and other things.”

He said the main thing he learnt from the program is an understanding of respect for others and how to engage in good mental health practices.

He now teaches younger kids the same principles he was taught.

“Don‘t let other people drag you down, don’t listen to your mates if they want to do stuff”

He said it was a “ hard choice” to make but he is healthier and happier now.

He realised it wasn’t “the life I want to live”

Acting Youth Liaison Officer Senior Constable Tegan Baker and Acting Crime Coordinator Sergeant Jo Brooker are contributing their time and resources into the program.

NSW Police Senior Constable Jo Brooker said the collaboration with police encourages youth to engage with the community.

“They get out of bed early and make a commitment. We teach them about risk taking behaviours,” Mrs Brooker said.

She said the program targets early intervention by connecting with the child and their family.

“We don’t want kids to enter the criminal world,” she said.