​Program is for

• Young people engaged in offending

• Young people at-risk of offending 

 

​Ages

• 8 to 17

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​What we do

Specialised staff support young people to build

capacity through a combination of:

• Outdoor adventure activities

• Mentoring

• Working toward criminogenic needs & goals

 

Structure

Young people attend one day a week over the school term (9 - 10 weeks)

Session times are flexible

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Locations

Programs operate from:

• Drouin/Warragul

• Moe/Morwell

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Dogs

Where appropriate, staff utilise dogs in this work.  

Whilst GOTYA canines are not certified therapy dogs,

they are very much attuned to working with young

people.

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The dogs help to:

• Create a welcome distraction

• Bring a sense of calm

• Reduce stress

• Lower anxiety

• Reduce aggression

• Encourage activity

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​Impact & Structure

The program delivers rapid, effective support for young

people. The program structure is deliberate in that

over each term program, the group retains the:

• Same small group of young people

• Same two staff

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​​​​Program Aims
Through engaging in peer-based community, social and

recreational activities, the program supports young people to:

• Grap the impacts of their offending

• Foster pro-peer engagements

• Enhance self-awareness

• Cultivate self-management

• Improve emotional regulation

• Enhance self-worth

 

Benefits

Regular engagement in this program has shown

young people to:​

• Develop stronger, more effective social skills

• Better manage emotions

• Lessen aggressive behaviours

• Feel more contained & safe

• Stronger engagement in the community

• Increase school, TAFE or vocational attendance

• Reduce offending

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Staffing
Staff are university and/or TAFE qualified in:

• Forensic Behavioural Science 

• Counselling

• Community Services

• Youth Mental Health

• Management of Youth Suicide & Self-Harm​

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All programs are staffed with 2 leaders.

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