Art Work purchased by Wendy Lang,Artist Susan Peters Nampitjin Painting title Potato Dreaming

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2 Our commitment QYS Queensland Youth Services is committed to the pursuit of social justice and empowerment of young people, and this commitment is inclusive of our Nations First People, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Insert Picture We operate on the principle that all youth have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to be assisted without judgement or discrimination, and have access to physical and emotional safety. We support and encourage youth to move from being a victim of their circumstances to becoming the instrument of their empowerment. We will actively work towards closing the gap in economic and social disadvantage endured by our Nations First People. Insert Picture Art Work purchased by Wendy Lang,Artist Susan Peters Nampitjin Painting title Potato Dreaming 2

3 Our RAP journey QYS reconciliation practices have been in existence for a number of years. And Our good intentions have seen fruition. Over 40% of our clients identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander, and 30% of our employees identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander. Our RAP journey is about formalising our success, and ensuing its sustainability for many years to come. We commenced our journey by celebrating our success, and analysing our practices with the aim of continuous improvement. A RAP working party was formed, and our first task was to complete a cultural competency assessment, the assessment included the core RAP values of Respect, Relationships and Opportunities and provided a tool for identifying new actions for improvement. Following the cultural competency assessment all staff were asked to describe what reconciliation meant to them, this was discussed and shared at the monthly staff meeting. Our understanding of Reconciliation Australia s goals were enhanced through two working party members participating in the Reconciliation Australia workshop delivered in Townsville on the 31 October On January 25th a half day reconciliation workshop was conducted with QYS employees, The consultation and feedback is what generated our identified actions. Our draft plan was then validated by external key stakeholders. 3

4 Our RAP Vision What this means: All Australians respect the lore and protocols of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. All Australians acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the custodians of our Nation s land. All Australians value the diversity, creativity, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders That their is equity in the prosperity measures of education attainment, employment outcomes, and life expectancy, The cycle of welfare dependency is broken, for Indigenous youth. Insert Picture 4

5 Relationships QYS believes that strong working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, traditional custodians, and organisations is integral to empowering Indigenous Australians to make decisions about their lives. Giving them a voice In QYS services opens up the pathways for trust and working collaboratively. Actions Action Responsibility Timeline Measurement QYS will continue the reationship with we have with "Red Dust Healing" through the renewal of our MOU. QYS will engaged families in the case management of their young person. Establish a RAP working party, for the implementation and monitoring of the QYS RAP Action Plan QYS will Consult with Elders, families and Indigenous organsiations on QYS services concerning Indigenous youth. QYS will Promote Indigenous Services to youth and their families, by including links on the QYS website Youth Workers Management Committee Management Committee Resource Officer Jul-13 May-13 May-13 Jul-13 Jun-13 QYS Reconcilaiton Plan will be launch during Reconcilaition Week May RAP is launched MOU with "Red Dust Healing" is in place. A minimum of 60 youth have paricipated in red dust healing workshops 80% of case plans are co-signed by family members Minimum of 4 RAP working party meetings are held annually. Membership is reveiwed every 6 months. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering committees, Advisory groups, are established. QYS website has links to a minimum of 20% of the Townsville district Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services. 5

6 Respect Respect for Self and Others is a core value of QYS. This includes respecting the cultural protocols and lore when working with Indigenous Australians. We recognise and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of our land Actions Action Responsibility Timeline Measurement Cultural Awareness training will be provided to all QYS employees, this includes an annual refresher course. Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country protocols are followed. QYS employees actively participate in NAIDOC celebrations All Employees Jul-13 All staff have participated in Cultural Awareness training. Acknowledgement is recorded in the minutes of staff and Management Committee meetings. Welcome to country is provided at the AGM. 80% of employees have participated in an activity that celebrates NAIDOC. QYS will promote and celebrate dates and events that have significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. National Apology National Sorry Day Reconciliation Week NAIDOC Week Mabo Day A & TSI Children's Day Team Leaders 13 Feb 26 May 26 May - 3 June 3 July - 10 July 3 June 4th August Employees participate and celebrate significant events. Community members join in on QYS celebrations. Ensure QYS venues create a "Place of belonging" for Indigenous Youth and their families by displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, art work, resources and images. Team Leaders Indigenous Youth are accessing Qys service QYS will provided opportunities for employees to build their capacity to embed cultural perspectives into their service delivery. 1-Jul-13 Employees participate in a minimum of one professional development activity that has a 6 focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

7 OPPORTUNITIES QYS believes that by creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander youth, we are improving their quality of life, empowering them to make decisions about their lives, and assisting with personal and cultural healing. Equity in opportunities lead to a community that can exist in harmony with less conflict. Actions Action Responsibility Timeline Measurement QYS will maintain a high representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander within our workforce. Currently 30% of our employees identify as Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Management Committee Our Aboriignal and Torres Strait Islander workforce doesn't drop below 20% QYS will advertise vacant positions in the Koori Mail and National Indigenous Times. Resource Officer A Register of Advertisement is maintained QYS will continue to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth accessing our Services on our Website Resource Officer Website images demonstrated our diverse clientele QYS will deliver services that attract and support Indigenous Australian Youth. Team Leaders Maintain 40% access of services by Indigenous Australians. Maintain a register of Indigenous business in our geographic locations, and invite these businesses to tender for supply requirements. Resource Officer Aug-13 Register is maintained. 7

8 OPPORTUNITIES CONT Actions Action Responsibility Timeline Measurement Strengthen community links with a range of service providers, with the aim of providing a holistic and collaborative service to our Indigenous Youth. Youth Workers QYS employees are represented at Youth Network meetings. QYS invites other organisations to collaborate on projects. QYS will establish a youth advisory committee Management Committee Jul-13 A minimum of 2 members are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander QYS will encourage and invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be on the Management Committee Management Committee. advertisement and letters of invitation are circulated 8

9 TRACKING and REPORTING Actions Responsibility Timeline Measurement Jul-13 Recorded in monthly minutes Report acheivements, challenges and learing's to Reconciliation Australia for inlcusion in the annual impact measurment report. RAP Working Party Jun-14 QYS RAP progresss is reported on each year. Report RAP actiivities at the QYS AGM, and in the annual report. Resource Officer Sep-14 RAP activity recorded in the AGM minutes and Annual report Jul-13 Website update monthly Action Rap included as standard agenda item at Management committee meetings QYS website to include a page on QYS RAP activities Resource Officer 9

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