Council & Politics
10 November, 2025
Program funding rebuff ‘not good for connection’
Grampians Community Health has delivered the School Focused Youth Service early intervention program in St Arnaud and other towns for 27 years ago but the State Government is refusing to budge on its decision to cut the state-wide service.
A PROGRAM helping at-risk young people stay at school across the Grampians region is set to be axed despite a campaign to save the long-running support.
Grampians Community Health has delivered the School Focused Youth Service early intervention program in St Arnaud and other towns for 27 years ago but the State Government is refusing to budge on its decision to cut the state-wide service.
GCH chief executive officer Greg Little has spearheaded a campaign to reverse the decision but says the pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“The minister’s position is firm that the program will not run in 2026, but we are continuing to present evidence of its success and advocate for its retention,” Mr Little said.
“Across the state, we’ve got high absenteeism with kids struggling to stay at school, high youth unemployment and crime but they’re removing a $4 million state-wide program that has been proven to work.”
SFYS is delivered by more than 30 providers across Victoria and helps schools keep at-risk young people connected to education through tailored interventions and by linking schools with local services.
Mr Little said providers engage around 900 schools and support around 19,700 students annually.
In 2025, GCH has supported 21 schools in the Northern Grampians, Ararat, and Pyrenees municipalities.
Mr Little said the proposed replacement, the Schools Mental Health Menu, would help students at school but wouldn’t help those not engaging with education.
“It won’t help kids that aren’t in school so it’s not the same program or necessarily the same target group,” he said. “It’s important to do whatever we can to keep young people in schools.”
Mr Little has led a 22-provider collaboration to protest the cut but said he had been told by the State Government the decision won’t be reversed.
“The government’s rationale is that budget pressures require more targeted service offerings and less duplication with newer initiatives,” he said.
“We argue that SFYS is evidence-based, with more than two decades of measured outcomes valued by schools. Ending SFYS removes a proven pathway at a time of declining attendance and increasingly complex student needs.”
Local case studies from GCH and other providers have shown improved attendance, social-emotional skills, and stronger school-community links resulting from SFYS support.
“The loss of SFYS risks leaving gaps for students who need targeted engagement support,” Mr Little said.
SFYS coordinator Stacy Lindsay said program played a vital role in schools.
“It helps students connect with peers and their communities, supporting wellbeing and engagement. Losing the program would be a significant setback for students and schools across Victoria.”
The State Government was contacted for comment.
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