YSAS RINGWOOD
Ringwood YSAS is a fresh office just near McDonald’s. It is an easy walk from Eastland, and the train station.
When you get inside the building you can wait for staff in the cosy foyer. Feel free to relax on the couches or even play an arcade game.
Reach out to YSAS Ringwood by giving us a call at 03 9890 7855
The following YSAS programs can be accessed at this location:
+ 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
+ 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 or call 03 9890 2054
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 RIngwood including:
Supporting Health, Education, Recreation and Personal Autonomy (SHERPA)
The YSAS SHERPA program runs out of Ringwood.
If you are between 12 -21 years, have significant problems with your drug and/or alcohol use and want to get involved in some activities and make connections this program can help.
The program aims to reduce drug and alcohol related harms, increase connection to work or education, build meaningful connections to community and improve physical wellbeing.
Included in the program is; one-on-one appointments with a worker to focus on your particular goals and needs, weekly community based activities, such as cooking and adventure based sessions.
The types of activities/sessions that are chosen change depending on the needs and interests of group members.
Alcohol and Drug Youth Consultant (ADY-C)
The ADY-C runs out of Dandenong and Ringwood, covering the eastern and southern metropolitan regions.
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.
Principal Practitioner (ADYPP)
The Alcohol and Drug Youth Principal Practitioner is based in Ringwood and covers the eastern region of Victoria.
The ADYPP works collaboratively with Eastern Metropolitan region Out of Home Care, Child Protection and Youth Justice professionals to provide specialist drug and alcohol assessment and advice for high-risk young people exiting Out of Home Care, Secure Welfare or Youth Justice Centres.
The Principal Practitioner also consults on care planning, education and support for case managers and care treatment teams, while facilitating complex care coordination for young people.
Reconnect
Reconnect is based in Ringwood, covering the eastern metropolitan region.
The program can support young people aged 12 – 18 years who have significant drug and/or alcohol problems and are at risk of homelessness due to family issues.
Reconnect focuses on improving connections with family, work, education and community, while also working on the reasons for and impacts of the substance use and how to make healthy changes.