The Impact of the 2022 floods across the Northern Rivers continues to be felt and and for many young people it continues to impact their mental health and wellbeing.
‘We know that almost two years after the 2022 floods we are still facing challenges and mental health and wellbeing needs are still present for people,’ said Simone Silberberg, Social Futures General Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Social Futures is providing access to a range of grants, ranging from $75,000 to $150,000 as part of the new Resilient Kids program, a $10-million initiative to support the capacity and resilience for young people aged eight to 18 years impacted by the 2022 flooding in the Northern Rivers.
‘These grants are intended to support programs and activities which build social connection, community resilience and youth leadership skills, particularly in relation to disaster recovery and preparedness,’ explained Silberberg.
Social Futures wants to hear from organisations running youth programs or activities for young people living in the Northern Rivers. We are particularly interested in organisations who run programs for the following priority groups:
- Children and young people with disability with a focus on neurodivergent young people and young people with intellectual or cognitive disability
- Children and young people disengaged from school or education
- Non-binary and transgender children and young people
‘When applying for the grant, you will have to outline your organisation’s experience in running similar programs and how your programs can be adapted for the priority groups,’ Ms Silberberg said.
‘And we want to know about the positive outcomes for youth you’ve achieved in the past.’
Schools and for-profit organisations were ineligible to apply and the grants are not for organisations offering psychological support, counselling or brief interventions. The applicants must also be Northern Rivers based.
Information about eligibility and how to apply is available on Social Futures Website here: https://socialfutures.org.au/sectorsupport/ypf/
Healthy North Coast co-designed the Resilient Kids program with Northern Rivers children, youth, schools, families and service providers. For more information, please visit https://hnc.org.au/resilient-kids/
An evaluation panel will be set up to decide which applicants will be awarded grants.
The panel will be made up of representatives from:
- Social Futures
- Healthy North Coast
- People with lived experience in the priority areas
- Young people affected by the 2022 floods
- Youth services
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