THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUSINESS PLAN FOR A KIMBERLEY REGION ‘AT-RISK’ INDIGENOUS YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR THE KIMBERLEY ABORIGINAL KIMBERLEY ABORIGINAL LAW AND CULTURE CENTRE (KALACC)
The Yiriman Youth Program has been in operation for eight years funded by both Commonwealth and State agencies. Currently the Program reaches 5-6 language groups in the Kimberley, however the aim is to reach more young people and their families. The purpose of this consultancy was to develop a business plan that was acceptable to Government and accurately reflected the goals, objectives, outcomes, strategies, actions, costing and timeline for the Yiriman Youth Program with the focus on resilience, health and well-being, suicide prevention and alcohol and drug prevention approaches that the Program provides.
Hugh Watson Consulting undertook this consultancy in 2010. Following a review of appropriate documents Dr Watson spent a week in the Kimberley meeting with Elders and community members providing intensive cultural bush trips into country; those facilitating cultural projects, including cultural mapping; those conducting leadership development, exchange opportunities, skills development and training; and those who coordinate individual and family advocacy & support, information provision and referral into specialist services. He also consulted with the Department of Health and Ageing representative in Broome.
A Business Plan was developed, reviewed, submitted and accepted by KALACC and the Department of Health and Ageing.
