YSAS DANDENONG
Dandenong YSAS is just around the corner from the train station, across the road from the park (and courts) and a short walk to the plaza and the market.
This is a bigger site so it can get pretty busy, especially if there is food cooking at REVAL.
Reach out to YSAS Dandenong by giving us a call at 03 9701 3488
The following YSAS programs can be accessed at this location:
+ DAY PROGRAM – REVAL
YSAS Day Programs run out of Dandenong (REVAL) and Abbotsford.
If you are between 14 – 21 years, have significant problems with your drug and/or alcohol use, and would like to improve your health and wellbeing this program can help.
REVAL is a safe and friendly space for you to engage in activities and programs that respond to drug and alcohol related issues. Music, graphic design, fashion, adventure and sports, or health and fitness activities are all available as part of the program.
Workers will also support you to find a way back into education, employment or training.
Things to think about
Day program activities usually run for a few hours a day. They are usually groups programs which means you will be interacting with other young people too.
Who is this best for?
This program is a good option if you:
- Want a safe drop-in space
- Don’t attend school or work during the day
- Have limited supports (social or other)
- Have housing issues
- Want to get to know YSAS and see what it is about
+ OUTREACH
Outreach programs run out of Gippsland, Bendigo, Ringwood, Dandenong, Frankston/Mornington Peninsula, Sunshine, and Preston.
If you are between 12 – 21 years and have problems with your drug and/or alcohol use this program can help.
Outreach support is flexible in lots of different ways. Including, importantly, making sure the kind of help you get is matched to what you need.
YSAS drug and alcohol workers can come to you. They will meet you in your own space and in your own community; the places where you feel safe.
Forensic Youth Outreach is also an option at many of our locations, which means that YSAS can work with you if you are involved with the justice system as well as having drug and/or alcohol issues.
The type of support you can get from Outreach includes:
- Assessing your needs and making a support plan with you
- Referrals and linkages
- Practical support (getting Centrelink sorted, organising a doctor appointment)
- Family support
- Information and education
- General counselling
Things to think about
Sometimes you will still need to organise an appointment to meet up with your outreach worker. The appointment may be in the office or somewhere in the community that you feel comfortable.
Who is this best for?
This program is a good option if you:
- Have a lot of other things going on in your life as well as use of drugs and alcohol
- Need practical support to get stuff sorted while working on your drug and alcohol use
- Find it hard to make it to an office to catch up with a worker
+ HOME-BASED WITHDRAWAL NURSE
Home-based withdrawal (HBW) services run out of Ringwood, Dandenong and Bendigo.
If you are between 12 – 21 years, want to go through alcohol and/or other drug withdrawal while staying in community (in safe and stable accommodation with family and/or friends), HBW is an option.
The HBW nurse can also help you with your physical and mental health, as well as link you to other wellbeing, educational, employment and recreational services.
Things to think about
HBW Nurses can help you with other health issues, not only withdrawal. They provide outreach support, which means they can come to you and give you practical support with your health and other needs.
Who is this best for?
This program is a good option if you:
- Have ongoing illnesses
- Have complicated medication regimes
- Are on pharmacotherapy (Methadone, Buprenorphine)
- Have dental problems
- Are pregnant and using substances
- Have a safe home environment for withdrawal
+ YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICE (YSS)
Youth Support Service (YSS) runs out of Gippsland, Ringwood, Dandenong, Frankston/Mornington Peninsula, Sunshine/Western Metro region, Preston and Collingwood.
If you are between 10 – 17 years, have recently been in contact with police and could be at risk of entering the youth justice system this program can help.
YSS is voluntary, which means that it is up to you whether you are part of the program. It is separate from the legal process and is here to support you and your family to reach your goals.
YSS can help you and your family to deal with problems before they get too serious.
Referrals are made by Victoria Police who have got consent from you and your parent/s.
Things to think about
If you have been referred to YSS by police you will get a phone call from a worker to make sure that you want our help and to find out what has been going on for you. A time to talk on the phone again or an in-person appointment will also be organised.
When you meet your worker they will ask questions about different parts of your life so they can support you in the best way possible and make goals that are right for you.
YSS often works with you and your family (where possible) because we understand that for good and not so good, they have a big effect on you (and you have a big effect on them!)
Who is this best for?
This program is a good option if you:
- Have recently been in contact with police
- Have been doing risky things lately (running away from home, getting into fights)
- Have Court coming up and need some advice
- Want to make changes so you don’t keep getting in trouble with police
+ SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
Specialist Programs aim to support and meet the unique and specific needs of particular groups of young people.
The programs vary from region to region, which is a reflection of their communities.
The focus for all specialist programs is to provide help for young people who may otherwise miss out or not get the kind of help they need in other programs or services.
There are a number of specialist programs based in YSAS Dandenong including:
Alcohol and Drug Youth Consultant (ADY-C)
The Alcohol and Drug Youth Consultants are based in Dandenong and Ringwood and cover the southern and eastern metro regions of Victoria.
The ADY-C provides access to alcohol and drug support services for young people in residential out of home care and adolescent community placement.
The ADY-C also provides secondary consultation, professional development and capacity building to statutory services to ensure a more coordinated and integrated service response to young people with alcohol and drug issues.
REVAL Ink
REVAL Ink runs out of Dandenong Day Program however, if you are 12 -24 years and already connected with YSAS you can access the program, no matter where you live.
If you are interested in art and graphic design, would like to get to use professional design software in a supportive space and get to print your new design on a T-shirt or hoodie then it is time to get in contact with REVAL Ink.
Embedded Youth Outreach Program (EYOP)
The Embedded Youth Outreach Program (EYOP) runs out of Dandenong and Werribee.
The project is a partnership with Victoria Police and provides after-hours assertive outreach support for young people coming into contact with Police.
The role of the youth worker is to help police connect more positively with young people and to responsively assess the needs, provide support and referrals to the young person.
Family and Youth Early Intervention Program (FaYEIP)
The FaYEIP program runs out of Dandenong.
This is a family focused brief intervention program that supports young people aged 10 – 18 years who are experiencing issues related to drug and/or alcohol problems.
FaYEIP builds on the strengths and capacities in families which helps to reduce future drug and/or alcohol related risks for the young person.
The program aims to improve family connection, communication and self-care, build confidence in managing substance use concerns, and increase links to community.
Transformer
The Transformer Program runs out of Dandenong.
An assertive outreach approach is used to connect with young people from new and emerging communities as well as their peers and families. The program works to practically increase access to resources, encourage pro-social community connection, strengthen family relationships and support young people to engage in education, employment and other meaningful activities.
Many young people are linked to the program through Youth Justice, Community Corrections, and Victoria Police. However, families, communities and young people are welcome to get in contact.