$11.5 million for youth early intervention program

• $11.5 million in funding for not-for-profit organsation BullyProof Australia (co-founded by boxing legend Jeff Horn) to deliver AMAYDA Resilience Program over 4 years
• 40 Queensland schools already participating with further program expansion planned
• The program focuses on early intervention and support for at-risk young people to prevent youth offending

An $11.5 million funding injection over four years for a youth resilience and early intervention program will bolster supports for young people across Queensland.

The AMAYDA Resilience Program (ARP) will be delivered by not-for-profit organisation BullyProof Australia and provides young people with the tools to tackle social issues which contribute to young people disengaging from education and potentially going down the path of youth crime.

BullyProof Australia has begun delivering the program at 40 participating Queensland schools, with plans to expand the program to more in the coming months.

Co-founder and former World boxing champion Jeff Horn has thrown his support as an Ambassador for the program.

In addition, ARP will now form part of the QPS’ School Support Officer program, with the expansion planned to focus on schools in key locations including Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.

The program includes practical solutions and support for a wide range of social issues including bullying and trouble at school, which can often contribute to young people becoming disengaged.

By providing behavioural education and support on relationship building, communication strategies and physical skills young people will be given the tools they need to make positive choices and prevent them from engaging in offending behaviour.

Quotes attributable to Minister Mark Ryan:

“We know that a big piece of the puzzle in the fight against youth crime, is preventing young people from going down that path to begin with.

“This program gives teachers and young people crucial tools to tackle issues that lead young people astray including bullying and trouble at school.

“Our government has given funding to this program, in a continued commitment to supporting positive outcomes for young people. 

Quotes attributable to Commissioner Katarina Carroll

“Research shows that both victims of bullying and the bullies themselves are at higher risk of criminal behaviour in their formative years. 

“The preventative approach of this program will allow us to intervene and positively influence young people at a critical period of their development.

“Engaging them not just in ARP but with officers who are part of the QPS’ School Support Program.

“Building relationships which will allow officers to redirect young people down a positive path and keep our communities safe.

Quotes attributable to Jeff Horn:

“I was a bullied school kid, am a former school teacher and now have my own children at school, so I feel passionately about working with kids in schools”.

“The AMAYDA Resilience Program has run for 5 years with great success. The goal is to change the culture at schools so that all students and teachers feel safe, happy, respected, appreciated and liked, which is an ideal learning environment.

“The AMAYDA Resilience Program is an early intervention program which gets kids back on the rails before they go too far. This is exciting because our most valuable asset is our children and this will help protect them.

“This investment by the Queensland Government will help thousands of children by encouraging vital traits of respect, courage, resilience and integrity.

“I am excited about what this expansion of the program will bring.”

Media Contacts: 

Minister Ryan’s Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300

Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444