Youth Services
CASSA’s Youth Service Philosophy
CASSA acknowledges that some young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds often face particular needs that contribute to their sense of marginalisation and vulnerability. Our Youth Service aims to contribute to a smoother integration of marginalised young people into Australian society, by ensuring that young people are informed about their rights and are empowered to make their own decisions.
We are committed to offering young people a friendly, efficient, sympathetic, non-discriminatory and respectful service. Our Youth Service values fair, diverse, democratic, confidential and accountable work practices that ensure young people’s voices are heard and respected. It aims to contribute towards young people’s sense of belonging, enhance their independent living skills and their community participation
Who are we?
The youth team comprises a dedicated group of staff who, collectively, work towards ensuring that young people are able to meet their needs. All workers value the philosophies underpinning confidentiality and privacy and have a non-judgemental attitude. Workers believe that confidentiality in our services is extremely important and take our responsibilities under CASSA’s policies and procedures extremely serious.
The youth team is made up of a small group of youth workers and “Peer Mentors” who provide practical and emotional support to youths participating in our service.
Who are our services for?
The Youth Service is available to any young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, between the ages of 12 to 25.
How can the service be accessed?
The service accepts direct client referrals as well as referrals from family/friends and/or service providers. Potential clients can drop by and visit the service if they desire, although we strongly recommend calling first to avoid disappointment.
How much do the services cost?
- The Youth Service is a free service for young people.
- Involvement in some projects may incur a small fee* for more information or queries about any potential costs to services you require please contact the Youth Workers.
*An example of this is the Annual Youth Camp which incurs a minimal cost for participants to attend
What services do we offer?
Our youth team provides a variety of programs and/or services that meet young people’s needs and assist them to contribute to society. Some of these services include:
- Case management (including emotional and practical support)
- Information and referrals to appropriate services
- Advocacy
- Outreach services
- Working in Partnerships
CASSA has built strong partnerships with a number of services catering to young people’s needs. Some of these services include Multicultural Communities Council SA (MCCSA), Overseas Chinese Association and the Cambodian community. The team also has strong ties to schools in the western and northern regions of Adelaide
Youth Reconnect
Overview of the service
Community Access and Services SA’s (CASSA) Reconnect Program is part of the South East Asian Reconnect Project that operates under the auspice body of the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia. The program is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and has been operating since May 2002.
Role of the service
The Reconnect Program helps break the cycle of homelessness by providing counselling, group work, mediation and practical support to the whole family. CASSA’s Reconnect Program can also link in services that target the individual needs of clients, such as specialised mental health services.
CASSA’s Reconnect Service follows the seven good practice principles for early intervention into youth homelessness:
- Accessibility of services
- Client driven service delivery
- Holistic approaches to service delivery
- Working collaboratively
- Culturally and contextually appropriate service delivery
- Ongoing review and evaluation
- Building sustainability
Who is in the team?
CASSA’s Reconnect Service is delivered by one full time staff that works in collaboration with other members in the youth team and CASSA services generally.
The work of the Reconnect Service worker is supported by a team of peer educators that provide practical and emotional support to clients.
Who is the service for?
The Reconnect program uses community-based early intervention services to assist young people aged 12 to 18 years and 12 and 21 years if they are newly arrived in Australia, who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, and their families. Reconnect assists young people stabilise their living situation and improve their level of engagement with family, work, education, training and their local community.
CASSA’s Reconnect Program is a free and completely confidential service. We provide services that assist in finding a tailored solution suitable for the young person and their family’s unique circumstances. Our goal is to give young people the tools to settle their living arrangements, stay connected and build supportive relationships.
How much do the services cost?
CASSA’s Reconnect Program is a free service for young people.
Involvement in some projects may incur a small fee* for more information or queries about any potential costs to services you require please contact the Reconnect worker.
*An example of this is the Annual Youth Camp which incurs a minimal cost for participants to attend
Services we provide
CASSA’s Reconnect Program offers a diverse range of services such as:
- Case Management
- Family mediation
- Information and referrals
- Advocacy
- Community Education
- Emotional, social and practical support
- Outreach to schools
- Youth Social Living skill programs
How are services delivered?
CASSA’s Reconnect Program is delivered through a range of methods. Clients can organise a time and visit the worker at our location, alternatively the worker can meet with clients at a place and time that is most convenient to them. The worker also does a regular lunch time drop in at two High Schools.
How can the Reconnect Program assist families
CASSA’s Reconnect Program can also work with parents, guardian and families to:
- Work things out with the young person
- Find the best way to talk things through
- Learn to live together when things are hard
- Learn to live apart but stay connected
Contact us
If you would like to know more about CASSA’s Reconnect Program, please contact us.
Youth Outreach
Overview of the service
The Youth Outreach Service believes that a significant investment in young people can provide substantial long-term benefits for both individuals and their families. Effective interventions can help young people learn skills to sustain long term relationships with their families, friends and community groups.
Role of the service
The Youth Outreach program has been established to support and promote the welfare of children and youth by ensuring that services are available to young people within their own spaces. The service recognises the barriers young people face in accessing mainstream services and in particular the challenges faced by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) young people to access such services. The Youth Outreach program aims to provide information, support and services directly to young people in spaces they feel safe and comfortable in.
Who is in the team?
The Youth Outreach service is delivered by one full time staff that works in collaboration with other members in the youth team and CASSA services generally.
The work of the Youth Outreach Service worker is supported by a team of peer educators that provide practical and emotional support to clients.
Who is the service for?
The Youth Outreach service is available to young people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds between the ages of 12-25 who are at risk of:
- Relationships and/or family issues
- Mental health issues
- Offending behaviours
- Exploitation by others
- Practicing unsafe sexual behaviours
- Alcohol and Drugs abuse/misuse
- Early school leaving or disengagement from learning or earning pathways
- Being homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Lacking social network/supports
How can the service be accessed?
The service accepts direct client referrals as well as referrals from family/friends and/or service providers. Potential clients can drop by and visit the service if they desire, although we strongly recommend calling first to avoid disappointment
How much do the services cost?
The Outreach Youth program is a free service for young people.
Involvement in some projects may incur a small fee* for more information or queries about any potential costs to services you require please contact the Youth Outreach worker.
*An example of this is the Annual Youth Camp which incurs a minimal cost for participants to attend
Services we provide
The Youth Outreach Program offers a diverse range of services such as:
- High Schools Outreach visits
- Case Management
- Brief intervention
- Group work/group workshops
- Emotional and practical support
- Social activities
- Community development programs
How are services delivered?
The Youth Outreach service is delivered through a range of methods. Clients can organise a time and visit the worker at our location, alternatively the worker can meet with clients at a place and time that is most convenient to them. The worker also does a regular lunch time drop in at three main schools in the western and northern suburbs.
Contact us
If you would like to know more about CASSA’s Youth Outreach services, please contact us.