2021-02-08
Minister for Justice Health and Assistant Minister for Families and Community Services, Emma Davidson today launched a family intervention program aimed at preventing young people from entering or becoming further involved in the justice system.
Funded by the ACT Government and delivered by OzChild, the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Youth Justice pilot program will be delivered over the next six months and will help 20 young people and their families.
“I’m really pleased we’re investing in a new Functional Family Therapy pilot that focuses on diverting young people from entering or re-entering the youth justice system.
“FFT is a successful evidence-based program that achieves results for children and young people by working closely with their families to reduce the intergenerational effects of sustained contact with the justice system,” Minister Davidson said.
“This program reinforces the ACT Government’s efforts to put in place earlier supports for young people and their families that are strength-based. This is particularly important when there are multiple complex issues for families.
“FFT uses assessment and early intervention to address risk and protective factors within and outside of the family that impact the young person and their behaviours. This program will help a large portion of Canberra’s children, young people and families involved in our youth justice system.
“This program will have a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to address the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in all stages of the youth justice system in the ACT.”