Background

Since 2021, Kids Off The Kerb has partnered with various other not-for-profits in delivering services through the Victorian Government’s Reconnect Program which assists participants by providing practical support and assistance towards their engagement with education, training and employment options and supports them into further study or employment pathways.  Kids Off The Kerb is seeking to expand this project and other similar work during 2024 and 2025 by developing further partnerships with like-minded organisations to provide direct services which alleviate disadvantage.  An example of this is our new partnership with the iGen Foundation.

How the project works

A Reconnect case worker discusses the individual participant’s circumstances, as well as their goals and aspirations, and explores career advice and course options and supports them with enrolment into pre-accredited or accredited training. 

The assistance provided to Reconnect participants can include:

• One-on-one support to explore career goals, interests and the challenges with returning to study or employment.
• Guidance on finding the right course or training provider and navigating eligibility and enrolment.
• Identifying support needs and referral to external services, such as health care, housing and legal assistance.
• Financial assistance for education, training and employment-related expenses.
• Ongoing support to remain engaged in education or employment

Who is eligible?

Kids Off The Kerb’s priority focus is to assist young people.

The Reconnect Program is an initiative of the Victorian Government, through the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, and the eligibility criteria of the program is:

• Young people aged between 17-19 years and not engaged in education or training for six months or more (engaged less than 8 hours/week).
• Young People aged 17–24 years who have been, or are currently on, Youth Justice Orders.
• Mature participants aged between 20-64 years; who have been unemployed for six months or more (working less than 8 hours per week) and not engaged in education or training for six months or more (studying less than 8 hours per week).
• Out of Home Care: A person aged 17–64 that has a current or previous experience with Child Protection.
• Asylum Seekers aged 17–64 years (an individual or dependants of individuals) who meet the following criteria:
• Hold any humanitarian, protection or refugee visa in Australia; or
  
• Have applied for a humanitarian, protection or refugee visa and hold a bridging visa for this purpose; or
• Have made an application under s. 417 or s.48B of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) which is yet to be determined and hold a bridging visa.

Contact:

For more information or to discuss eligibility, please email: reconnect@kidsoffthekerb.org