Outreach is an often used term in AOD and other health sectors. Rather than a specific program, Outreach is a way of delivering interventions to young people with particular characteristics.

WHAT IS OUTREACH?

Outreach is a responsive, flexible way to deliver youth AOD interventions and other support. Youth outreach workers provide services in a range of locations where young people live, congregate and feel comfortable

WHAT INTERVENTIONS ARE DELIVERED THROUGH OUTREACH?

  • Home-based withdrawal
  • Care and recovery coordination/casework (including assessment and individualised care planning)
  • Service promotion and case finding
  • Assertive engagement and linkage
  • Case work
  • Liaison and advocacy
  • Health education and health promotion
  • Foundational counselling
  • Behavioural and other psychosocial interventions
  • Family support
  • Secondary consultation to other services

WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BEST SUITED TO AN OUTREACH RESPONSE?

Outreach is best suited to young people:
  • In hard-to-reach groups or those requiring assertive engagement
  • With unstable living circumstances
  • With high or severe AOD use combined with high or extreme vulnerability.
 
If home-based withdrawal is offered as a specific intervention, outreach is best suited to young people with stable housing and access to family or other support.
 

Contact YoDAA (1800 458 685) if you wish to find a service near you.