A YAPA representative participates in each of these committees. If you would like to have input on any of the issues covered by these committees, simply let us know. Email YAPA or ring us on (02) 9319 1100 or 1800 627 323.
Government committees
NSW Youth Interagency Taskforce: an interdepartmental committee chaired by the NSW Minister for Youth Affairs. YAPA participates in the committee to represent the views of young people and non-residential youth services in NSW. The Youth Interagency Taskforce meets quarterly to overview the broad planning, strategic direction and review of services to vulnerable young people and to monitor the implementation of the Better Futures Regional Strategy in NSW. YAPA also participates in many working parties established by the YIT, such as the development of the NSW Youth Policy.
Children at Work Taskforce: The NSW Commission for Children and Young People recently surveyed 11,000 young people aged 12-26 years about their experiences at work. The Taskforce meets to consider the findings of the report and to develop recommendations on possible future action.
NSW Youth Alcohol Action Plan Advisory Committee: provides input into the development of the new NSW Youth Alcohol Action Plan.
Stakeholder meetings with Minister for Community Services: The NSW Minister for Community Services meets twice per year with representatives of peak organisations and other significant stakeholders to exchange information about the NSW Department of Community Services and provide a forum to raise any issues of concern.
DoCS: Community Services Grants Program (CSGP): Roundtable: comprises peak organisations representing services funded by the CSGP program (NSW Department of Community Services). The Roundtable advises the Department on major issues impacting on CSGP services including service specifications and data collection.
DoCS: Communities Division Partners Reference Group: provides expert advice and guidance on policy, practice and innovation on issues such as the Area Assistance Scheme, Community Solutions and the Office of Children and Young People.
DoCS: Service Standards Steering Committee: provides advice to NSW Department of Community Services on the development of a set of standards for the DoCS' prevention and early intervention programs, including the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP).
DoCS: Ethnic Affairs Advisory Group: advises the NSW Department of Community Services on relevant issues facing culturally and linguistically diverse young people.
DET Director-General's Advisory Group for Multicultural Education and Training: advises the Director General of the NSW Department of Education and Training on relevant issues facing culturally and linguistically diverse young people.
DET Advisory Group on Community Grants Program: provides advice to the Department of Education & Training on issues related to the distribution of funding through the Links to Learning Community Grants Program, the Intervention Support Program, the Aboriginal Community Programs and the Community Languages Schools Program.
NSW Refugee Issues Working Group: an interdepartmental committee with representation of key non-government agencies, convened by the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs. It:
- determines information and research requirements to assist in meeting the settlement needs of refugee and humanitarian arrivals to NSW;
- develops strategies to improve the access of refugees to mainstream government services;
- develops products and mechanisms for dissemination of information to stakeholders in an effort to improve communication and sharing of information between agencies and with proposers, settlement service providers, community representatives & others;
- raises policy issues which impact on service delivery and improving the implementation of policies and procedures in general.
OCYP: Youth Website Steering Committee: assesses the content of the NSW youth website www.youth.nsw.gov.au and provides advice on the development of the site to the Office of Children and Young People.
OCYP: Youth Week Steering Committee: (Office of Children and Young People): responsible for developing and coordinating a whole-of-government program for Youth Week including a coordinated program of activities hosted by NSW Government agencies, a promotions/ public relations strategy and a streamlined process for funding and acquitting grants to local government
Australian Communications and Media Authority: Consumer Consultative Forum: a national forum which meets twice each year to advise the Australian Communications and Media Authority on telecommunication issues such as debt, consumer education and protection.
Non-government committees
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC): Australia's national youth affairs non-government peak body. YAPA is a member of the National Representative Council of AYAC, and a YAPA Chairperson is on the Executive Committee. AYAC aims to:
- represent the rights and interests of young people at a national and international level
- promote the well-being of young Australians
- promote the participation of all young people in Australian society
- provide policy advice to government and the broader community on issues affecting young people and the youth affairs field.
NSW Youth Justice Coalition (YJC): a network of youth workers, academics, lawyers and others interested in rights and advocacy for children and young people. YJC:
- conducts research into legal rights and issues affecting young people
- inputs into government policies and legislation affecting young people
- disseminates youth justice information to youth services.
YAPA also participates in relevant working parties to address issues such as fines and the relationship between young people and police.
Forum of Non Government Agencies (FONGA): comprises peak organisations in NSW. FONGA's purpose:
- a vehicle for information exchange, discussion, consultation and advocacy about key policy, program and service delivery issues affecting the non government human services sector at a state-wide level
- a conduit for information flow from the state to the regional, sub-regional and local levels of the NSW non government human services sector.
NCOSS Board: YAPA is represented on the Board of Directors of the NSW Council of Social Services. NCOSS is the peak body for the social and community services sector in NSW.
Multicultural Youth Issues Network of NSW (MYINN): YAPA participates in MYINN, which:
- coordinates information and statewide action on issues affecting NESB young people
- inputs and responds to government policies and practices affecting NESB young people
- lobbies and advocates NESB youth issues to the youth and ethnic sector, young people and general community
- responds to and monitor the media's coverage of NESB young people
- supports and resources NESB young people's groups and services working with NESB youth issues eg training and resources.
