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Youth Network

We want to offer Aftercare to all young Australians who need it.

A group of young people sitting outside on a bench and smiling

Why we need Aftercare

For young people in residential treatment for substance use problems, the idea of going back to the outside world can be daunting. Aftercare is a highly effective wrap-around program, fundamental to vulnerable young people’s long-term health and wellness.

For six months following their residential stay, each young person has a dedicated youth worker who supports their reconnection with family or community networks, healthcare, education, and importantly, employment opportunities. This crucial period of support underpins a brighter future for each young person, not only free from pitfalls of addiction, but also offering safety, hope and opportunity.

What is Youth Network?

In 2020, Sir David Martin Foundation published a Research Report, Evolve 2020: Are we doing enough for young people with drug and alcohol addiction? that showed high demand and widespread unmet need across Australia.  A key recommendation was to provide aftercare to all young people following residential treatment, with solid results displayed at Triple Care Farm.

Youth Network is an initiative of Sir David Martin Foundation and run in partnership with Mission Australia (MA), to expand Aftercare across four MA youth drug and alcohol residential facilities nationally.

Youth Network locations

A map showing the outline of Australia with state lines marked.
Triple Care Farm, Southern Highlands, NSW
Triple Care Farm, Walawaani, Batemans Bay NSW
Mac River Rehabilitation Centre, Dubbo, NSW
Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS), Perth, WA

Triple Care Farm is a youth drug and alcohol program offering Withdrawal, Rehabilitation and Aftercare support to 16-24 year old Australians.

This program encompasses medical care, psychosocial skills development, counselling, case management, and vocational education training. Participants also gain essential life skills and the ability to navigate the challenges of finding employment and securing housing.

Age range 16-24
Length of programs Up to 1 month Withdrawal and 3 months Rehabilitation
Number of beds 28 across Withdrawal and Rehabilitation
Referrals Health, NSW Youth Justice and voluntary via Foundation website

Program activities

  • Medical care and psychosocial skills
  • Counselling and case management, with access to ongoing medical care
  • Vocation Education Training on site, literacy, numeracy and computer skills, personal development, employment preparation with TAFE courses
  • Life skills, learning to be independent and navigate applications and housing contracts

Based on the Triple Care Farm model, this facility opened in February 2023. The 10 bed Residential Rehabilitation program provides 12 weeks of treatment and support for addiction and mental health issues for young people.

This new facility is located on 17 acres of bushland and is a space where youth in crisis can be nurtured through rehabilitation and given the best change to break the cycle of addiction. Over the course of 12 weeks, young people receive medical care and psychosocial support, counselling and case management as well as living skills and vocational and educational training.

Age range 16-24
Length of programs Up to 1 month Withdrawal and 3 months Rehabilitation
Number of beds 28 across Withdrawal and Rehabilitation
Referrals Health, NSW Youth Justice and voluntary via Foundation website

Program activities

  • Medical care and psychosocial skills
  • Counselling and case management, with access to ongoing medical care
  • Vocational and educational training on site, literacy, numeracy and computer skills, personal development, employment preparation with TAFE courses
  • Life skills, learning to be independent and navigate applications and housing contracts

Mac River Rehabilitation Centre is an intensive youth-specific 8-bed Residential Rehabilitation program in Dubbo, Central West NSW.

It provides trauma-informed and culturally safe support for three months to young people aged 13-18 with a history of significant substance use and offending behaviour. This helps them make positive changes in a supportive, safe environment to overcome their drug and alcohol addictions and reengage into the community.

The Centre has an onsite pool, school room, gym, cultural garden with yarning circle, vegetable garden and a whole football oval. Mac River is located on 50 acres of land 20km outside of Dubbo, and has a home-like, relaxing atmosphere.

Age range 16-24
Length of programs Up to 1 month Withdrawal and 3 months Rehabilitation
Number of beds Health, NSW Youth Justice and voluntary via Foundation website

Program activities

  • Medical care and psychosocial skills
  • Counselling and case management, with access to ongoing medical care
  • Vocational and educational training on site, literacy, numeracy and computer skills, personal development, employment preparation with TAFE courses
  • Life skills, learning to be independent and navigate applications and housing contracts

The Drug and Alcohol Youth Services (DAYS) is an Integrated Service, offering a multidisciplinary approach in supporting young people to access alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment options.

Provided as a partnership between Mission Australia and Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services, DAYS provides a community-based outpatient service, a short stay Youth Withdrawal and Respite service and a longer stay Residential Rehabilitation service.

Age range 12-21
Length of programs Up to 3 months
Number of beds 8 Withdrawal, 10 Residential Rehabilitation
Referrals Received from a number of sources such as services including Community Alcohol and other Drug Services (CADS), hospital emergency departments, mental health services, court assessment and treatment services, juvenile justice officers, the Department for Communities, parents and client self-referral.

Program activities

  • Comprehensive assessment and case management
  • Individual counselling and Clinical Psychology Services
  • Medical assessment and review
  • Parent and family counselling and Aboriginal mentoring
  • Opiate and alcohol pharmacotherapy and alternate therapy

We want to expand

Through collaborative funding, we aim to have a network of youth workers across Australia to facilitate the expansion offering more young people lifesaving care and support during their recovery journey.

The Youth Network is possible thanks to the generous support of donors, including:

minderoo foundation
snow foundation
  • Andrew Pratten Charitable Trust
  • Jann Skinner
  • Lotterywest
  • MA Foundation – Amy & Julian Biggins
  • Matana Foundation for young people
  • Ruth Armytage
  • State Street Fund at Give2Asia
  • Steadfast Foundation
  • The McCusker Foundation

If you are interested in funding the Youth Network expansion, get in contact with us.

Enquire here

Isabel said “I’m Scared”

A past student, Isabel came to Triple Care Farm Detox having tried to get off drugs before, “I just need help to detox so that I can get back to school but I can’t do it on my own and I’m scared to go anywhere else” she said.

Read Isabel’s story

Donate and help young, vulnerable Australians break the cycle of addiction and have hope for a brighter future.

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Sir David Martin Foundation acknowledges that Mission Australia, our service partner, owns and runs programs at Triple Care Farm and delivers Aftercare programs for Youth Network.

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