SHANE WILLIAMS

The Zone offers intersectional care and AOD support to youth aged 12-25 experiencing challenges in the community. This role encompassed leadership and primary focus on Aboriginal and CALD young people.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive strategic plans for optimal community outcomes
• Connect with Aboriginal elders and services in Western region to advocate
• Provide mentoring for Ngwala cultural lead
• Provide Senior consultation for region and youth workers
• Provide therapeutic AOD interventions for young people and community
• Implement group projects at St Alban's secondary and outpost at Cooinda Aboriginal mens program
• Manage the Collingwood Magpies Community Football Program and West PCYC providing a culturally inclusive space
• Offer secondary consultation for Victoria Police, DFFH and numerous ACCO's

The Collingwood Magpies Community Program supports marginalized participants form metropolitan Melbourne. Participants are often facing challenges including AOD use, homelessness, contact with the criminal justice system, unemployment and poor primary health.

• Provide culturally inclusive space for Aboriginal community members.
• Provide follow up and referral pathways into treatment, employment, court support, education and prosocial pathways.
• Facilitate group work focusing on primary health , AOD and mental health.
• Mentored players to foster sense of healthy competition and confidence to achieve off field.
• Fundraised for trip to Alice Springs for Aboriginal players to participate in carnival
• Created Aboriginal playing jumpers in 2016 iN collaboration with community.
• Enhanced Collingwood AFL partnership and engaged Aboriginal mentors Travis Varcoe and Daniel Wells as current supports with program.
• Created Aboriginal youth peer led Basketball team in Reservoir 2016-2020.

As Team Leader of YSS program the key focus is keeping youth aged 10-17 in community and out of the criminal justice system. Due to over representation of Aboriginal youth in custodial settings i was able to increase referral rates by 300% and took a lead on advocacy in this space. This role encompassed leadership and case management of high risk young people. Family inclusive work was offered and facilitated within this role

• Guide a team of youth workers, social workers, psychologists and counsellors to support vulnerable youth and families.
• Manage a case load of predominately Aboriginal and CALD youth presenting with offending behaviours, AOD challenges, impacted wellbeing and providing client centred, culturally inclusive family work to improve community outcomes.
• Develop & implement therapeutic interventions with YSAS team
• Develop positive team culture to promote productivity and commitment to reduced youth offending.
• Assistance of implementing Aboriginal youth cautioning programs
• Build strong relationships with Aboriginal Controlled Community Organizations such as Ngwala, Dardi Munwuuro, VACCA, VACSAL, Cooinda, Department of justice, Victoria Police, Headspace, and Collingwood Football Club.
• Established multiple partnerships with Aboriginal & multicultural organizations
• Co-chair of Western RAJAC Youth portfolio for Aboriginal youth.
• Nominated subject matter expert on youth Knife Crime for Victoria Police
• Cofounder of " Mob Run " Western suburbs creating a space for over 1300 mob to connect during Naidoc week.
• President and coach of Victoria and West PCYC 2015 to current implementing youth fitness and boxing programs. This initiative has led to over 1500 youth connecting with a culturally inclusive prosocial space in the Western suburbs and one Aboriginal woman in the Australian Olympic boxing team for 2024.

Provide after hours support for Melbourne detox and residential rehab units including Bunjilwarra. Assist with trouble shooting and staff support for youth in withdrawal.

Located at the 8 bed Fitzroy residential therapeutic withdrawal unit as part of the youth team. During my time i applied clinical skills in the assessment stage, intervention and counselling of AOD support for vulnerable youth aged 12-22.

• Improved outcomes by implementing evidence-based interventions with one on one and group work
• Provided support for multiple Aboriginal youth and families through detox process
• Key focus on harm reduction and community connection

Part time role at Abbotsford Day Program providing AOD support to youth facing challenges relating to substance use. Providing outreach to rough sleepers in CBD and assisting with access to treatment and NSP.