The Palaszczuk Government will partner with the Jonathan Thurston (JT) Academy to expand its innovative JTYouGotThis program for young people at risk of being involved in the youth justice system.
The Premier today announced a $4.73 million investment in this year’s state budget to support the program.
The Queensland Police Service has worked successfully with the JT Academy for the past five years, including a recent collaboration to design an intensive four-day JTYouGotThis program working with young people.
The program was delivered in 17 locations including Cairns, Mareeba, Mount Isa, Townsville, Logan, Zillmere and Brisbane, and was evaluated by the University of the Sunshine Coast, which found it helped reduce offending and improved the young person’s relationship with police.
Through the new partnership, the JTYouGotThis program will be expanded and enhanced to better engage young people – making a big difference in the lives of those touched by the program.
Between 10 and 15 young people will participate in the new 10-week program, which will include goal setting, mentoring, cultural engagement, and post-program support.
It will initially starting in Cairns, and expanding to Townsville and Mt Isa within two years.
Young people will be referred to the program through the Department of Youth Justice in consultation with Police.
Evidence shows that participants are re-engaging with school, getting driver’s licences and some return to the program as mentors.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
“There is no better role model for Queensland kids than Johnathan Thurston, who is already making a genuine difference in the lives of young people.
“I’m proud our government can partner with JT and the JT Academy to expand their successful program to reach more at-risk Queenslanders.
“Sometimes it is these small amounts of money in the budget that can have the biggest transformational impact on people’s lives.
“As a government, we will continue to prioritise community safety and invest in initiatives with a proven track record.
“Together, we can break the cycle of repeat offending and build a brighter future for vulnerable young Queenslanders.”
Quotes attributable to Johnathan Thurston AM:
“The larger roll out of the You Got This Program will see participants have up to 50 hours of face to face time.
“We’ve seen how good the behavioural change already is, so now with the 10 week program having over 50 hours of face to face time will see a lot better behavioural change.
“These kids come from tough background and the JT Academy wraps their arms around them – it’s the hook to get them in before we talk to them about values, what they want to do with their life and what they want to achieve.
“This program has been very successful and it’s great we can work together to roll this out.”
Quotes attributable to Police Minister Mark Ryan:
“Jonathan Thurston was an inspiration on the footy field and now he continues to make a positive contribution to the Queensland community through his Academy.
“Jonathan is a true Queenslander by deed and by the example he sets by working to help young people have a better life.
“I’m proud to be part of a government that partners with people like JT to deliver better outcomes for young people who need a helping hand at a critical moment in their lives.”
Quotes attributable to Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer:
“It’s wonderful to be able to support Jonathan and his Academy to work with some of our most vulnerable young people.
“We know we need to focus on intervening early with disengaged children to prevent them entering the youth justice system, which is why we are making a record investment in early intervention and prevention programs in the places where they are needed, including Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa.”
