Yippi-ia objectives are:
- To promote access to and participation in the service by young
people
- To provide optimal treatment and care for young people within
the service
- To develop strategic alliances within the community
- To influence service providers to integrate the project with
existing services if evaluation is positive
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the service.
One of the main priorities of the service is people aged 14-20
years with dual disorders (mental illness and substance use issues).
In recognition of the special needs of this group, one of the 2
clinical positions has been designated as a dual diagnosis role; the
project also aims to 'skill up' all staff involved.
Although it is early in the life of the project, certain features
of intervention in these clients are becomming evident:
- The 'difficulty' of providing them with services appears to be
decreased by a mobile, assertive and flexible approach
- The approach needs to be intensive and extensive
- Changes in traditional service boundaries ensure a more holistic
approach
- Emphasis on 'repairing' many of the clients' environmental
impactors provides a better base from which to maintain treatment.
