By LIA SPENCER
A PROGRAM which has helped more than 350 at-risk children in Cardinia Shire could expand into the City of Casey.
Windermere is currently seeking further funding to expand the Kids on Track program into other regions including City of Casey and City of Frankston.
The early intervention cautionary program is aimed at pre-adolescent school children who have been demonstrating anti-social behaviour or have been issued with a police caution or who have been identified as “at risk”.
An 11-year-old from Cardinia Shire, who asked to be known as Jane, recently graduated from the program and said she was now much happier and had gained skills to deal with stress.
Jane was three years old when her sister died, and she struggled to cope with the tragedy. Jane also said that her mother and father regularly engaged in domestic abuse and had done so for years – leaving her responsible for the upbringing of her three siblings.
Coupled with feelings of intimidation, hopelessness and shame, Jane turned to getting attention through negative means.
She was referred to the program after receiving a police caution for shoplifting, truancy and general anti-social behaviour towards peers.
Jane was one of more than 350 children who have benefited from the eight-week program which is run in partnership with the Shire of Cardinia, Victoria Police and Monash University.
Kids on Track counsellor Ellie Ficken from Windermere said the program targeted issues of great importance to young people, coping with stress, school or study problems, body image, family conflict, bullying, emotional abuse and personal safety, and aimed to increase a child’s sense of purpose, confidence, self-esteem and social community engagement.
“Kids on Track continues to make a positive impact, it provides these children with an outlet to recognise their behaviours and emotions, and equips them with tools in which to cope better with the stresses of life,” Ms Ficken said.
Serap Ozdemir, Manager of Business Development at Windermere, said it would be great to get ongoing funding from the State Government so the program could be expanded into schools throughout the City of Casey and throughout Victoria.
Ms Ficken said Casey’s population was growing quickly and there are a lot of youths in the area who are increasingly getting engaged in crime.
“If we can intervene early and deter them from getting into trouble and becoming better citizens, it would be a worthwhile task.”
For more information about the Kids on Track Program, contact Ms Ozdemir Windermere Child and Family Services on 9705 3200 or email info@windermere.org.au.
