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Public Health Division |
Department
of Human Services | Government
of Victoria Australia
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YAMS
Youth
Assessment of Mainstream Health Services
Introduction
The City of Greater Geelong "Geelong Strategic Health Plan 1997 -1999" parts one and two was developed in partnership with the Geelong community and launched in March 1997.
The Department of Human Services Public Health Branch made funding available to the City of Greater Geelong in June 1996 to undertake a project specific to Population Health; Prevention and Health Promotion in Local Government. The Department of Human Services expected the project to establish and document strategies and implementation plans to address priority health issues.
The City of Greater Geelong identified young people as the priority group and a sub committee of the Geelong Strategic Health Plan Consultative Committee was established in September 1996. The initial sub committee membership included representatives of the regional office of the Department of Human Services; the Barwon Adolescent Task Force (BATforce), a young person and the City of Greater Geelong - Youth Services Unit and The Community Services and Development Unit.
The sub committee identified the following components as essential when considering the project;
that a peer action research methodology be utilised,
that the opportunity for a number of organisations to work together in a collaborative manner was capitalised,
that active involvement of both youth and health agencies was sought.
that the project aimed to provide tangible outcomes for both young people and agencies participating.
After much discussion the sub committee agreed to employ young people to investigate the perception that usage of mainstream health services, by young people, could be increased.
It was further agreed that where this perception was established the peer researchers would work in collaboration with the service provider.
The sub committee identified and invited four agencies to assess / road test their accessibility to young people. The agencies were selected because they are providers of services which young people use / need, they reflect a mix of services types, a reflect a geographic spread and willingness of agencies to participate in the project.
Once the peer researchers were employed the role of the sub committee was to oversee the project by providing assistance, advice and broad direction.
The sub committee have identified the following benefits of the project;
the identification of service issues in relation to young people that are not being addressed by mainstream health services.
opportunity to develop strategies and actions in collaboration with agencies and young people.
some identification of the usage of mainstream health services by young people and some of the barriers preventing young people from accessing mainstream health services.
the skill and experience gained by the peer researchers involved in the project.
the access to providing a research and planning model for use by other services when undertaking planning for youth service provision.
From the :
MUNICIPAL STRATEGIC HEALTH PLAN CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE