Hunter New England Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP)

Hunter New England HYAP (also known as Samaritans Homeless Youth Assistance Program) is a support service that supports children and young people ages 12 – 15 years who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. It provides early intervention; intensive support in the home; family mediation; telephone support and referrals; assertive outreach; crisis and transitional accommodation; brokerage and advocacy; and therapeutic support such as counselling, behaviour support and health services.

The service helps keeps children and young people in safe and supportive environments, connected to family, improving their independent living skills, improving their educational attainment and/or improving their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

It also provides follow up post-crisis support through ongoing case management, family mediation and support to prevent breakdown from occurring, and connections to localised support.

This service delivers culturally appropriate and safe services when supporting Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse persons.