AT-RISK Moorabool students will suffer from government plans to discontinue a school health program, says a leading voice for the region’s health.
Ballarat Community Health chief executive Robyn Reeves says vulnerable youth will miss out on help to combat bullying, self-harm and low self-esteem after the school-focused youth program finishes on June 30.
“It’s a real loss,” she said. “It’s helped thousands of kids over the years with literacy, breakfast programs and issues with self-esteem. We’ve been given no idea what will replace this program; we’re waiting to hear. A lot of the staff who had a great understanding of the program are now gone.”
Ms Reeves said students at most Moorabool schools had received help from the program since its inception in 1997, with Bacchus Marsh Secondary College and council’s youth services team conducting projects targeting bullying, self-harm and low self-esteem in recent years. Melton’s Good Shepherd Family Services also receives funding to run the program.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below.
Moorabool Council chief executive Rob Croxford said he feared important links between schools and community service organisations could be lost with the end of the service.
Education Minister Martin Dixon’s spokesman said the department was reviewing programs for vulnerable children following an inquiry held last year. “The Victorian government is not withdrawing help for young people at risk, and services will continue to be delivered uninterrupted,” the spokesman said.
The government was consulting with agencies, including the Municipal Association of Victoria, about plans for the second half of the year.
