annual report - Veritas House

Annual Report
ANNUAL
REPORT
2011/12
CONTENTS
01
02
03
2
About Us
Our Vision
4
Our Mission
4
Our Services
4
Who We Are
Our Management Committee
5
Our Staff
5
Our Year
From The President
6
From The Manager
7
CONTACTS
04
What We Do
05
Financial Reports
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
Donated prizes for the Veritas House Winter Wonderland charity auction
Veritas House Youth Services
9
Early Intervention Placement Prevention(Youth 13
& Family and Adolescent & Family Counselling)
Out of Home Care
15
Aboriginal Men’s Group – Gibirgu Mudgyigu
16
Treasurers Report
17
Financial Report
18
Veritas House Inc.
Youth & Family Support
Admin Office
95 Keppel St
PO Box 941
Bathurst
NSW 2795
Veritas
House
Inc.
P/F:
02 6332 3882
Service
M:Admin
Office
0427 311 675
E: 95
Keppel
St
[email protected]
PO Box 941
Bathurst NSW 2795
P: 6331 1567
F: 6334 2377 E: [email protected]
Adolescent & Family
Counselling Service
95A Keppel St
PO Box 415
Adolescent
&
Family
Counselling
Bathurst NSW 2795
P/F: 02 6332 2277
95A
Keppel
St
E: [email protected]
PO
Box
415
PO
Box
941
Bathurst
NSW
2795
Bathurst
NSW
2795
P/F:
02
6332
2277
P/F:
02
6332
3882
Veritas House Youth Refuge
Youth
&
Family
Support
E:
[email protected]
Veritas House Outreach
Service
M:
0427
311
675
Robin Hill
PO
Box
941
95 Keppel St
E:
[email protected]
Bathurst
NSW
2795
PO Box 941
PO Box 941
P:
6331
1567
Bathurst NSW 2795
Bathurst NSW 2795
F:
6334
2377
P: 02 6331 1675
P/F: 02 6331 2969
Veritas
House
Youth
Refuge
E:
[email protected]
Veritas
House
Outreach
Service
F: 02 6334 2121
M: 0407 902 054
Robin
Hill
95
Keppel
St
PO
Box
941
PO
Box
941
M: 0407188877
E: [email protected]
Bathurst
NSW
2795
Bathurst
NSW
2795
E: [email protected]
P:
02
6331
1675
P/F:
02
6331
2969
F:
02
6334
2121
M:
0407
902
054
M:
0407188877
E:
[email protected]
E:
[email protected]
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
19
FINANCIAL REPORTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Profit
&
Loss
For
the
Year
ended
30
June
2012
Profit
&
Loss
For
year
ended
30th
June
2012
2012
$
INCOME
Recurrent
Funding
Support
Recoveries
Interest
Other
Income
2011
$
TOTAL
INCOME
EXPENSES
Admin/Office
&
General
Staffing
Costs
Operational
Costs
TOTAL
COSTS
NET
SURPLUS
550,555.32
0.00
3,807.08
619.82
1,440.19
7,901.36
16,665.59
574,969.40
113,533.04
112,263.54
356,129.35
366,583.54
95,040.20
564,702.59
7,367.02
85,223.14
564,070.22
10,899.18
INCOME
Recurrent
Funding
Interest
Other
Income
TOTAL
INCOME
EXPENSES
Admin/
Office&
General
Staffing
Costs
Operational
Costs
0.00
674.59
0.00
265.00
0.00
195,604.13
0.00
63,375.77
0.00
89,935.59
0.00
32,562.70
185,874.06
TOTAL
COSTS
9,730.07
NET
SURPLUS
0.00
78,161.87
INCOME
DoCS
Funding
Received
Interest
/
Dividends
91,042.81
396,277.45
Community Support
Family First Credit Union
Rotary Club Bathurst Day Break
Dr Ben Gelin (Honorary Solicitors)
Bathurst Bunning’s Warehouse
AGL Warmth in Winter
Charles Sturt University
Bathurst RSL
Bathurst Panthers Leagues Club
Jim Buchan
TAFE Bathurst Campus
Bruce Bolam
0.00
2011
$
750.00
735,360.83
4,262.56
17,501.22
96,662.69
109,091.04
785,212.97
19,011.36
382,414.76
77,180.12
305,234.64
Donations
Other Income
TOTAL
INCOME
EXPENSES
305,234.60
Department of Family & Community Services (Community Services)
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs (Aboriginal Men’s Group)
Office of Community Housing (CAP)
0.00
For
year
ended
30 June
2012
2012
$
2011
$
127,826.69
396,277.45
Our Funding Bodies
th
304,252.89
96,204.75
VERITAS
HOUSE
INC.
PROFIT
&
LOSS
364,655.51
474,373.70
2011
$
194,664.54
th
Current
Assets
Non
Current
Assets
TOTAL
ASSETS
Total
Liabilities
ACCUMULATED
FUNDS
CURRENT
YEAR
SURPLUS
VERITAS
HOUSE
INC.
BALANCE
SHEET
For
year
ended
30 June
2012
2012
$
2012
$
563,548.43
572,069.61
The management, staff & clients of Veritas House would like to take this opportunity to sincerely
thank our funding bodies, services partners, local businesses, community groups and the broader
Bathurst Community for their interest and generous support of Veritas House in 2011/12.
YOUTH
AND
FAMILY
YOUTH
SERVICES
898,234.19
860,022.73
228,122.28
77,112.36
305,234.64
Our Valued Service Partners
Admin/
Office
36,929.70
Staffing
Costs
550,081.80
Operational
Costs
Client
Programmes
152,411.93
TOTAL
EXPENSES
NET
SURPLUS
807,191.38
67,767.95
91,042.81
39,115.70
534,869.52
149,693.26
59,231.85
782,910.37
77,112.36
Reports taken from the audited Financial Statements provided by Graff, Paul & Parnell Accountants, Bathurst
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
18
Housing Plus
Bathurst Women’s Housing Inc.
Central West Care
Bathurst Family Support Inc.
Emerge Youth & Family Services
Bathurst Emergency Accommodation Place Inc.
Housing NSW Bathurst
Bathurst Family & Community Services
Youth Accommodations Association
Youth Action Policy Association
Enhance Consultancy & Training
Anne Hopwood
Bathurst PCYC
Vinnies
Salvo’s
3
ABOUT US TREASURER’S REPORT
Our Vision
Young People
As
always,
this
year
has
been
both
challenging
and
rewarding.
We
strive
to
be
a
centre
of
excellence
dedicated
to
providing
effective
services
to
young
people
who
require
support
as
they
transition
through
adolescence.
We
aspire
to:
End
the
cycle
of
youth
homelessness
Empower
young
people
to
reach
their
full
potential
and
Strengthen
interpersonal,
family
and
community
relationships.
Adverse
social
factors
impacting
on
young
people
or
families
may
include
an
absence
of
a
family
support
system;
family
breakdown;
unemployment;
abuse
(neglect,
sexual,
physical);
lack
of
safe
affordable
housing
options;
institutionalisation;
mental
illness,
and
problematic
alcohol
and
other
drug
use.
Our Services
Veritas
House
Inc.
operates
four
services
and
two
projects,
all
of
which
are
accountable
to
the
management
committee
The
positive
financial
result
means
that
the
Association
has
improved
its
financial
position
again
this
year.
Most
of
this
gain
comes
from
the
diligent
management
of
our
financial
resources
by
our
team.
Particularly,
Jody
and
Mary
who
have
worked
hard
in
setting
and
maintaining
our
budgets
to
ensure
the
greatest
value
was
obtained
from
every
dollar
spent.
In
addition,
particular
thanks
must
go
to
Rebecca,
Judy,
Gay
and
everyone
that
assisted
with
the
Winter
Wonderland
Fund
Raising
Ball
‐
it
was
a
huge
success.
Thanks
again
to
the
people
involved
in
making
our
grant
money
work
hard
every
day
of
the
year.
While
we
are
a
not
for
profit
entity,
financial
improvement
is
important
to
provide
the
capacity
for
the
investment
needed
to
support
our
people
to
continue
their
vital
work
with
our
kids
at
risk.
In
closing,
I
take
this
opportunity
to
extend
my
heartfelt
thanks
our
all
team
for
their
passion
and
application,
to
my
fellow
Board
Members
for
their
genuine
effort
and
support
and
to
everyone
who
has
supported
Veritas
this
year
and
previously.
This
year
also
saw
a
simplifying
of
the
financial
accounting
system
via
the
consolidation
of
our
programs
into
one
accounting
ledger
rather
than
the
separate
ledgers
we
have
had
in
the
past.
This
consolidation
provided
economies
of
scale
in
that
area
and
directly
contributed
to
a
reduction
of
administrative
time
and
costs.
Our
funded
programs
are:
Veritas
House
Youth
Refuge
Veritas
Youth
Outreach
and
Transitional
Housing
Program
Adolescent
and
Family
Counselling
service
Veritas
Youth
and
Family
Support
service
David
Weekes
Treasurer
Our
projects
are
Our Mission
Out
of
Home
Care
(Residential)
Veritas
House
is
a
community
organisation
that
works
together
with
children,
young
people
and
families.
We
provide
holistic
services
which
foster
self‐
determination,
security
and
growth.
Through
our
dedicated
team
we
strive
to
meet
the
needs
of,
and
provide
support
for,
children,
families
and
young
people.
Our
culture
is
focussed
on:
 Strong
team
work
 Professional
standards
 Modelling
positive
life
skills
 Strengthening
interpersonal,
family
&
community
relationships
 Growth
&
continuous
improvement
Bathurst
Aboriginal
Men’s
Group
(Gibirgu
Mudgygu)
4
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
Veritas
House
main
office
located
at
95
Keppel
St
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
17
Aboriginal Men’s Group - Gibirgu Mudgyigu (Men & Mates)
WHO WE ARE During
2012
Veritas
House
continued
to
support
the
Bathurst
Aboriginal
Men’s
Group
auspicing
funds
provided
by
Department
of
Families,
Communities,
Housing
and
Indigenous
Affairs.
week
celebrations.
The
men
themselves
enjoyed
social
outings
and
a
fishing
trip
to
Ben
Chifley
Dam:
occasions
for
storytelling
and
passing
on
cultural
traditions.
During
the
early
part
of
the
year
the
men
met
regularly
to
progress
their
project
of
making
didgeridoos
and
to
meet
socially.
In
the
latter
part
of
the
year
meetings
were
not
as
regular
but
they
still
managed
trips
to
local
places
of
great
cultural
and
historical
interest.
With
the
support
of
the
Men’s
group
local
Aboriginal
children
and
their
families
were
assisted
in
attending
Family
Fun
Day
and
NAIDOC
The
Men’s
group
were
also
involved
in
the
Smashed
Arts
Project
quite
recently
and
have
recently
moved
their
base
to
the
Flannery
Centre
where
they
held
a
Smoking
Ceremony
at
the
time
of
the
official
opening
of
the
Centre.
Credit
must
be
given
to
Jimmy
Beale,
Bill
Allen
Snr
and
Bill
Jnr.
for
their
commitment
to
the
group
and
the
many
hours
they
give
to
help
facilitate
artistic,
cultural
and
recreational
initiatives.
Our Management Committee
(Year
of
initial
membership)
David
Hill
President
(2010) Jacqueline
Ashleigh
Vice
President
(2010) David
Weekes
Treasurer
(1996) Rebecca
Nunan
Secretary
(2010) Tony
Thurling
Committee
Member
(1999) Judy
Deighton
Committee
Member
(2004)
Kimberly
Cole
Committee
Member
(2010) Emma
Schultz
Committee
Member
(2011) Amelia
Chapman
Committee
Member
(2010) Bruce
Cameron
Ordinary
Member (1983)
Dr
Ben
Gelin
Ordinary
Member (
1984) Mary
Housler
Ordinary
Member
(2010) Veritas House Winter Wonderland Ball
16
Veritas House Inc. Annual Report 2011-2012
Our Staff
(year
of
initial
appointment
to
staff)
Service
Manager
Jody
Pearce (2010)
Bachelor
Social
Science
Master
of
Human
Service
Management
&
Policy
(current)
A/Team
Leader
Sarah
Luff
(2009)
Diploma
Com.
Services
Work
Bachelor
of
Social
Science
(Welfare)
current
Crisis
Refuge
Staff
Sue
Bowden (2008)
Diploma
Com.
Services
Work
Greg
Wilkinson
(2011)
Bachelor
of
Law
Rachel
Jones
(2012)
Diploma
Com.
Services
Work
A/Outreach
Staff
Ty
Mostyn
(2011)
Bachelor
of
Clinical
Practice
(Paramedics)
Out
of
Home
Care
Case
Worker
Gay
Somerville (2009)
Bachelor
Education
Youth
&
Family
Graham
Palmer
(2002)
Support
B.
Arch.
Grad.
Dip
Counselling
Gerry
Kearney
(2012)
B.
Philosophy
Master
of
Pastoral
Studies
Relief
Staff
Crisis
Refuge
Sharon
Jones
(2011) &
OOHC
Trudy
Flemington
(2011)
Peter
Crockett
(2004)
Elise
Rowe
(2012) Mark
Stevens
(2012)
Michael
Fletcher
(2012)
Cecilia
Maloney
(2012)
Lloyd
Robinson (2012)
Caity
Whitelaw
(2012)
Bookkeeper
Mary
Housler
(2009)
Debbie
Elsley
(2012)
Veritas House Inc. Annual Report 2011-2012
5
OUR YEAR from the President
needs
of
our
local
communities:
funding
guidelines
over‐rule
all.
It
has
been
a
good
year
for
Veritas
House
Inc.
As
a
relatively
small
not‐for‐profit
service
we
are
pleased
to
report
that
we
continue
to
assist
young
people
in
our
community
as
they
cope
with
many
complex
needs
and,
building
off
this
base,
we
look
forward
to
an
era
of
expansion
in
the
future.
It
is
knowing
the
vulnerability
which
comes
with
a
single
funding
source,
and
the
precarious
nature
of
Government
funding,
which
has
driven
Veritas
to
expand
its
offering.
Fortunately,
the
NSW
Government
has
been
placing
services
at
arm’s
length
to
them
and
this
has
led
to
a
successful
application
to
provide
a
foster
care
service,
something
which
the
service
is
now
gearing
up
for.
I
want
you
to
know
that
it
is
a
deep
seated
commitment
to
help
others
which
underpins
the
success
of
this
organisation.
The
Veritas
team
are
dedicated
and
the
volunteer
steering
committee
is
enthusiastic.
With
newly
adopted,
and
greatly
expanded,
policies
and
procedures
the
Veritas
Steering
Committee
is
also
readying
itself
for
an
even
larger
role
in
helping
young
people
in
need
in
our
community.
Unfortunately,
the
demand
does
not
appear
to
slacken
and
nor
should
our
resolve.
Veritas
prides
itself
as
an
organisation
that
does
much
with
little.
This
year
we
have
balanced
the
books,
met
our
objectives,
been
a
good
employer
and
started
on
a
path
to
growth.
I
want
to
acknowledge
the
effort
of
Jodie
and
the
team
in
balancing
these
objectives
and
in
managing
the
everyday
demands
as
they
come
along
in
a
very
professional
way.
Thank
you
to
everyone
involved
with
Veritas,
we
move
forward
hands
raised
proudly
to
support
the
dreams
and
aspirations
of
our
future
generations.
A
great
highlight
of
the
year
has
been
the
Veritas
Ball.
This
pushed
the
team
into
new
project
management
territory
as
they
cajoled
sponsors
and
supporters
into
making
this
more
than
just
a
celebration
of
30
years:
it
was
also
a
success
as
a
fund
raiser
and
as
a
profile
raiser.
Thank
you
to
the
sponsors,
the
entertainers
and
the
organising
committee.
It
is
becoming
plain
that
small
service
organisations
can
face
difficulties
offering
a
non‐standard
service.
We
faced
off
with
the
funding
provider
this
year
as
we
were
told
that
Back
Tracks
was
not
to
be
funded.
The
cruel
reality
of
organisations
like
ours
is
that
we
are
given
very
little
leeway
in
how
we
meet
the
individual
OUR PROJECTS: Residential Out of Home Care
David Hill
In
an
ideal
world
children
would
be
living
in
functional,
secure
and
nurturing
environments.
This
however
is
not
an
ideal
world,
and
Family
and
Community
Services
play
a
vital
role
in
protecting
the
basic
human
rights
of
children
to
grow
up
in
an
environment
free
from
abuse
and
neglect.
Ideally
these
children
are
placed
in
supportive
homes
within
general
foster
care,
however
as
children
develop
or
their
needs
are
deemed
too
high
for
general
foster
care,
children
and
young
people
are
left
with
a
lack
of
options
within
the
Out
of
Home
Care
sector.
In
early
2012,
this
issue
regarding
the
lack
of
secure
accommodation
options
for
children
in
care
manifested
in
our
psyche
and
challenged
Veritas’
thinking
as
how
best
can
we
assist
and
provide
service
to
these
marginalised
young
people.
Taking
on
this
issue
Veritas
raised
concerns
regarding
a
young
person
residing
in
a
motel
to
the
local
Community
Services
office.
Our
concerns
were
heard
and
the
assistance
and
experience
Veritas
House
offered
was
seen
as
an
appropriate
solution
to
address
the
accommodation
needs
of
this
young
person.
In
April
of
2012,
an
out
of
guideline
arrangement
between
Veritas
House
and
Family
and
Community
was
reached
and
Veritas
set
about
the
task
of
providing
an
Out
of
Home
Care
residential
unit,
developing
it
from
the
ground
up.
Six
months
on
and
the
Out
of
Home
Care
program
has
introduced
7
new
casual
staff
members
to
the
team
at
Veritas
House.
The
young
person
has
settled
into
the
home
like
environment
that
has
been
provided
while
receiving
the
quality
case
management
that
has
become
synonymous
with
Veritas
House.
Gay Somerville
6
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report
2011-2012
15
Supporting
young
people
to
get
involved
in
local
recreational
and
sporting
activities.
On‐going
work
is
being
undertaken
in
regard
to
improvements
to
the
KTS
referral
system.
This
will
enable
better
linking
of
families
that
do
not
meet
the
ROSH
threshold
to
vital
early
intervention
services
such
as
ours.
OUR YEAR from our Manager
Dear
Members
&
Supporters
of
Veritas
House
Inc.,
Annual
reports
are
a
great
time
for
reflection.
As
I
write
this
I
realise
that
I
am
approaching
the
end
of
my
third
year
as
Manager
of
Veritas
and
I
can
honestly
say
that
the
organisation
only
ever
seems
to
increase
in
value
and
vibrancy
as
the
years
go
by.
To
that
end,
I
think
2011‐
2012
has
been
the
most
exciting
and
rewarding
year
I
have
spent
with
Veritas
thus
far.
As
always
the
extraordinary
success
of
our
organisation
falls
at
the
feet
of
our
outstanding
staff.
The
staff
at
Veritas
House
are
our
biggest
asset.
I
would
like
to
thank
each
of
them
for
their
commitment
and
hard
work
over
the
past
year.
Without
them
we
could
not
offer
the
caring,
high
quality
service
for
which
Veritas
House
is
known.
Our
on‐going
success
and
sustainability
can
also
be
attributed
to
the
commitment
of
our
volunteer
management
committee.
I
firmly
believe
that
the
organisations
solid
position
is
a
direct
result
of
strong
leadership
and
governance
exhibited
by
the
management
committee
past
and
present.
I
would
like
to
thanks
all
members
for
their
valuable
contributions
and
reinforce
what
a
vital
role
they
play
in
the
on‐going
development
of
Veritas
House.
Below
are
highlights
of
our
achievements
over
the
past
year….It’s
been
a
busy
year!
To
encourage
family
participation
and
cohesion
the
Youth
and
Family
Support
Service
utilised
skills
enhancing
and
engaging
activities.
One
family
with
two
young
sons
were
supported
to
construct
seating
for
the
family
dining
area.
This
was
an
empowering
activity
for
these
young
men.
Gerry Kearney
Youth
and
Family
Support
Worker
14
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
Service
Utilisation
It
is
pleasing
to
report
that
our
programs
were
highly
utilised
by
children,
young
people
and
their
families
in
the
past
year.
The
high
utilisation
rates
can
be
linked
to
an
increased
focus
on
strengths
based
case
management
practices,
positive
changes
in
service
culture
and
improved
promotion
and
networking
of
our
services
to
service
partners
and
our
target
group.
Successful
Tender
Outcome
After
years
of
attempting
to
grow
the
organisation
and
diversify
our
funding
base
Veritas
was
successful
in
securing
Out
of
Home
Care
funding
through
Family
and
Community
Services
(Community
Services).
The
tender
will
enable
Veritas
to
deliver
professional
client
centred
foster
care
services
to
children
and
young
people
who
are
in
statutory
care
and
unable
to
live
with
their
birth
families.
In
the
coming
year
the
team
at
Veritas
will
work
hard
building
our
capacity
to
take
on
this
growth
in
Out
of
Home
Care.
All
stakeholders
within
the
organisation
are
excited
about
this
opportunity
and
look
forward
to
expanding
our
role
within
the
sector.
Opening
of
Residential
Out
of
Home
Care
Service
at
Eglinton
At
a
local
level
Veritas
also
worked
in
collaboration
with
Community
Services
to
establish
an
Out
of
Home
Care
24/7
residential
unit
in
Eglinton.
This
service
operates
under
an
out
of
guidelines
arrangement
and
has
provided
vital
accommodation
and
support
services
to
a
young
person
who
is
unable
to
live
with
his
family.
I
wish
to
acknowledge
Rosemary
Hailstone
from
Community
Services
and
Gay
Somerville
from
Veritas
for
their
efforts
and
support
of
this
project.
Website
and
Rebranded
Promotional
Material
In
January,
after
much
planning
and
consultation,
we
launched
our
very
cool
new
website.
Our
youth
friendly
website
has
created
greater
accessibility
and
community
awareness
of
the
organisation
and
the
vital
services
we
offer.
You
can
now
visit
us
at
www.veritashouse.org.au
Veritas
House
Winter
Wonderland
Fundraising
Ball
To
celebrate
the
organisation’s
30th
Birthday
we
held
a
Fundraising
Ball
at
the
Carrington
Function
Centre
and
Theatre.
The
event
was
a
very
special
night
for
our
clients,
staff
and
supporters
of
Veritas
House.
The
generosity
and
good
will
of
the
Community
was
absolutely
overwhelming
with
all
goods,
services,
entertainment
and
food
donated
by
locals
within
the
Community.
The
event
raised
over
$10,000
and
attracted
over
100
people.
I
must
acknowledge
and
thank
the
many
people
who
contributed
to
this
event.
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
7
Staff
development
and
training
In
order
to
work
more
effectively
with
our
clients
Veritas
places
a
strong
emphasis
on
ongoing
training
and
development
of
our
staff.
In
the
past
12
months
some
members
of
staff
have
completed
training
in
KTS,
SHS
data
collection,
case
management
and
counselling.
In
addition,
4
staff
members
travelled
to
Brisbane
to
complete
Teen
Triple
P
and
are
now
accredited
facilitators
in
this
evidence
based
positive
parenting
program.
Community
Partnerships
Veritas
places
much
importance
in
the
nurturing
and
development
of
partnerships
with
local
services
that
are
sustainable
and
meet
the
needs
of
children,
young
people
and
their
families.
I
would
especially
like
to
thank
Housing
Plus,
Bathurst
Women’s
Housing,
Family
&
Community
Services
(Community
Services),
Vinnie’s,
Bathurst
Family
Support
and
Bathurst
Emergency
Accommodation
for
their
on‐going
partnership
initiatives
with
Veritas
House.
As
we
move
towards
another
year,
I
look
forward
to
continuing
our
vital
work
with
children,
young
people
and
their
families.
The
coming
year
will
also
involve
the
exciting
challenge
of
reaching
children’s
guardian
accreditation
and
building
the
necessary
infrastructure
to
deliver
foster
care
services
in
our
local
Community.
I
am
confident
that
the
commitment
and
expertise
of
our
team
will
make
this
new
and
challenging
opportunity
a
reality.
Jody Pearce
Manager
Service
Realignment
to
Early
Intervention
Placement
Prevention
In
the
past
12
months
we
have
successfully
transitioned
our
Adolescent
and
Family
Counselling
Service
and
former
Backtracks
program
to
an
Early
Intervention
Placement
Prevention
Program.
The
new
program
provides
a
range
of
early
intervention,
counselling
and
practical
support
services
for
children
and
young
people
aged
12‐18
years
and
their
family
members.
Services
have
a
focus
on
improving
family
relationships,
reducing
family
conflict
and
stress.
The
service
also
regularly
facilitates
the
Teen
Triple
P
positive
parenting
program
that
has
proved
very
popular
in
the
Community.
2011/12
Annual Report
Cake
cutting
at
the
Veritas
House
Winter
Wonderland
Ball
8
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
The
Youth
and
Family
Support
service
commenced
OUR YEAR: Youth and Family Support & Adolescent and
Family Counselling
The
Youth
and
Family
Support
service
commenced
operation
in
February
2012,
a
result
of
realignment
of
CSGP
funding
stream
into
Early
Intervention
Placement
Prevention
(EIPP).This
service
provides
a
range
of
early
intervention,
counselling
and
practical
support
services
for
children
and
young
people
aged
12
to
18
years
and
their
family
members.
All
direct
services
have
a
focus
on
improving
family
relationships,
reducing
family
conflict
and
stress.
This
service
aims
to
keep
young
people
connected
to
and
participating
in
their
families
and
community.
Support
may
be
offered
in
areas
such
as
health,
education,
culture,
training,
recreational
activities
and
employment.
The
types
of
services
available
are:‐
•
Adolescent
&
Family
Counselling
•
Parenting
Programs
•
Support
for
young
people
in
education
•
Living
skills
development
•
Practical
assistance
and
support
•
Mediation
•
Conflict
resolution
•
Telephone
counselling
and
support
•
Case
management
•
Liaison
with
other
services
•
Advocacy
•
Information
and
referral
The
Youth
and
Family
Support
service
also
assists
parents
with
maintaining
positive
relationships
with
their
children.
This
service
offers
the
Teen
Triple
P
,
an
evidence
based
parenting
program.
In
March
Youth
and
Family
support
workers
travelled
to
Brisbane
to
take
part
in
training
to
become
accredited
Teen
Triple
P
facilitators.
Triple
P
can
help
you
as
a
parent/carer
to:
Encourage
behaviour
you
like
Create
a
stable,
supportive
family
environment
Teach
your
children
the
skills
they
need
to
get
along
with
others
Develop
realistic
expectations
of
your
children
and
yourself
Deal
positively,
consistently
and
children
and
yourself
Deal
positively,
consistently
and
decisively
with
problem
behaviour
Take
care
of
yourself
as
a
parent
The
Youth
and
Family
Support
service
has
facilitated
one
parenting
program
which
had
13
attendants.
Advertising
is
on‐going
so
that
we
can
hopefully
provide
this
program
as
numbers
dictate.
Our
Adolescent
and
Family
Counselling
service
has
provided
counselling
and
support
to
77
clients
throughout
the
year.
This
has
resulted
in
658
sessions
being
conducted.
The
AFC
offers
a
quick
response
crisis
and
medium
term
counselling/mediation
service
to
families
and
young
people
–
assisting
them
to
find
ways
to
improve
communication
and
resolve
difficulties.
The
AFC
service
is
staffed
by
a
fulltime
Counsellor
who
works
with
young
people
&
their
families
living
in
the
Bathurst
and
is
a
free
service
Since
February
of
this
year
the
new
Youth
and
Family
Support
worker
has
supported
33
clients
through
a
range
of
activities,
these
have
included:
Advocacy
with
housing
bodies
Support
in
accessing
appointments
and
viewing
of
rental
properties
Attendance
with
parent(s)
at
school
meetings
Meeting
school
counsellors
on
behalf
of
parents
and
young
people,
Provision
of
transport
for
....medical
and school
....appointments
....Assistance
with
navigating
statutory
....agency
systems.
....Referrals
to
other
agencies
....Advice
and
consultation
with
individual
....parents
around
skills
development
and
....strategies
for
positive
parenting
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
13
YOUTH OUTREACH CENTRE
WHAT WE DO: Veritas Youth Refuge & Youth Outreach/
Transitional Housing Services
The
Youth
Outreach
Service
has
been
in
high
demand
this
year.
Changes
to
Housing
NSW
policy
and
greater
networking
has
led
to
an
increase
in
young
people
requesting
support
to
access
housing
assistance.
Supporting
young
people
who
are
homeless
(or
at
risk
of
homelessness)
highlights
the
barriers
and
prejudice
many
young
people
face
from
the
wider
community.
This
prejudice
when
combined
with
a
lack
of
support
places
strain
on
young
people
potentially
leading
to
cycles
of
long
term
homelessness,
relationship
difficulties,
legal
issues
and
unemployment.
When
attempting
to
overcome
these
barriers
quality
individual
focussed
support
can
go
a
long
way
to
assisting
young
people
to
recognise
and
build
on
their
strengths.
Empowering
young
people
with
knowledge
and
living
skills
to
live
as
independent
members
of
the
community
is
an
integral
element
to
the
Youth
Outreach
service.
referrals
to
other
services,
information,
transport,
court
support,
access
to
material
needs
and
support
with
parenting.
Strong
networks
and
partnerships
have
continued
with
Housing
Plus,
Bathurst
Women’s
Housing
and
BEAS.
Youth
Outreach
clients
have
also
been
supported
by
the
kind
donations
from,
Central
West
Bargain
Centre,
The
Salvation
Army
and
St
Vincent
de
Paul.
This
year
The
Outreach
services
has
supported
two
young
people
accommodated
in
our
transitional
accommodation
support
program
to
complete
their
HSC,
both
these
young
people
have
gone
on
to
full
time
employment
and
independent
living.
Another
young
person
was
supported
to
complete
her
hospitality
traineeship
whilst
living
in
the
transitional
housing
program.
The
Youth
Outreach
service
has
worked
with
many
young
single
mothers
and
young
families.
These
young
parents
have
displayed
a
strong
commitment
to
their
children
and
have
been
willing
to
engage
with
other
support
programs
to
assist
them
to
build
on
their
parenting
skills.
We
link
young
people
with
other
resources
and
support
agencies
in
the
community
to
maintain
and
improve
their
situation
and
life
skills.
Specific
services
include
support
and
advocacy
in
areas
such
as:





Youth
Outreach
Service
received
98
referrals,
when
broken
down
into
gender
59
were
female,
20
were
male
and
19
were
children
accompanying
young
parents.
12
of
the
young
women
who
presented
were
pregnant.
The
Youth
Outreach
Service
works
with
young
people
providing;
emotional
support,
advocacy
(with
Housing
NSW,
Centrelink,
Family
and
Community
Services,
TAFE,
Schools,
NGO’s,
and
many
other
entities),
crisis
intervention,
referral
&
assessment
supported
accommodation
case
management
counselling
&
emotional
support
support
in
dealing
with
personal
&
social
issues
such
as
family
relationships






finding
&
setting
up
a
place
to
live
education,
training
&
employment
health
independent
living
skills
recreational
activities
support
in
financial
&
legal
matters
Youth
Refuge
Support
is
available:
24
hours
a
day,
7
days
a
week,
52
weeks
a
year
WHAT WE DO: Veritas House Youth Sevices
3007
bed
nights
were
provided
in
the
transitional
housing
program
far
surpassing
our
performance
targets.
These
statistics
reinforce
the
high
level
of
need
for
accommodation
support.
IN
THE
PAST
YEAR
We
provided
4,785
bed
nights
to
young
people
in
our
youth
refuge
and
transitional
housing
programs.
This
is
an
average
of
13
young
people
&
children
seeking
a
safe
bed
to
sleep
in
each
night.
Sarah Luff
Acting
Team
leader
YOUTH REFUGE
12
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
This
past
year
at
the
refuge
has
once
again
gone
by
so
quickly.
The
refuge
itself
has
received
a
colourful
make
over;
the
bright
colours
bring
many
positive
comments
from
our
residents
and
the
new
beds
being
far
better
to
sleep
in
from
those
residents
who
have
been
here
before.
From
a
working
perspective
the
refuge
is
very
warm
and
inviting.
Knowing
the
residents,
who
have
so
often
come
sleeping
rough
have
a
warm
bed
is
a
comforting
thought
to
staff.
Changes
to
the
team
have
bought
new
strengths
and
experience.
The
culture
is
one
of
mutual
respect
and
support
as
we
head
towards
the
end
of
2012
still
being
uncertain
as
to
the
permanent
nature
of
the
current team. The team is flexible and understanding
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
9
offices.
A
sexual
health
talk
was
held,
focusing
on
safe
practices
and
encouraging
the
young
people
who
attended
to
ask
questions.
This
group
of
young
people
may
not
have
received
this
sort
of
education
due
to
interrupted
schooling
and
family
breakdown.
One
of
the
highlights
of
the
year
was
PCYC
giving
a
generous
donation
of
gaming
equipment
for
the
entertainment
of
our
residents.
Youth
Refuge
lounge
room
of
our
situation
and
still
the
main
focus
is
how
best
we
can
provide
a
service
to
the
young
people
we
accommodate.
Working
with
these
vulnerable
young
people
takes
commitment
and
compassion;
it’s
great
to
have
staff
who
are
up
to
the
challenge!
Over
the
last
12
months
staff
have
provided
a
vast
array
of
positive
activities
to
young
people
residing
at
the
refuge,
these
have
included
–
Laser
Skirmish,
which
is
very
popular
with
the
kids,
who
always
are
keen
to
compete
with
staff
and
usually
win.
To
encourage
an
appreciation
of
the
arts
and
culture
staff
have
accompanied
groups
of
kids
to
a
theatrical
production
by
Charles
Sturt
University
at
BMEC.
Veritas
has
also
provided
movies,
the
Golf
Driving
Range
and
drives
out
of
town
to
Milthorpe
as
weekend
trips
for
clients.
To
create
a
greater
awareness
of
health
and
wellbeing
regular
workshops
are
held
at
the
Keppel
Street
When
the
refuge
had
it’s
make
over
we
also
gave
a
home
to
some
fish
–
two
of
these
fish
are
still
alive
and
residents
have
enjoyed
naming,
re‐naming
and
feeding
these
fish.
However
young
people
always
find
cleaning
the
fish
tank
a
challenging
experience.
The
introduction
of
SHIP
reporting
has
made
our
statistical
recording
easier
for
staff.
All
new
staff
have
embraced
this
new
technology.
It
is
now
easier
to
record
the
important
work
that
we
do.
Sue
Bowden
Crisis
Youth
Worker
10
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
Veritas
House
Inc.
Annual
Report
2011­2012
VeritasHouseInc.Annual Report 2011-2012
11