Kurnai Young Parents Program Mentorship Initiative

Project summary:

The Kurnai Young Parents Program (KYPP) operates from the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) campus of Kurnai College in Morwell. The program was initiated after concerns were expressed by Kurnai College staff that a number of female students had left school prior to completing their secondary education, in order to have or care for children, and had not reengaged with their education at a later stage in their lives. The KYPP offers students across the Latrobe Valley aged 14-20 with a child or children the opportunity to achieve their Year 12 VCAL/ VPC with VET modules and other certificates.

The current resources available through Kurnai College to facilitate the delivery of the program and support participants are required to focus on current students and their complex needs to ensure their success within the program.

However, it has been identified in a scoping study completed by KYPP, Kindred Spirits Enterprises and funded by the Latrobe Health Assembly, that a mentorship program would be of considerable benefit to the students.

The Latrobe Health Assembly, in partnership with Kindred Spirits Enterprises will utilise Kids First Australia’s experience to deliver the mentoring initiative. Kids First Australia will build an innovative program tailormade to meet the needs of the students. This program aims to give young people a positive experience in the community; to assist them in the development of specific interests and skills they may have; to link them with community and services and support; and for them to have a positive role model.