The Wodonga Project brings together schools, health, mental health, housing, youth specialists, council and other services to identify and act early to support local young people.

Junction Support Services has partnered with Upstream to deliver the pilot project at Wodonga Senior Secondary College, following the 2024 Year 10 cohort across Years 11 and 12

The aim is to identify students in the school system who are at early risk of homelessness, mental health and school disengagement and then provide the necessary support for them and their families before the crisis occurs.

The Wodonga Project has adopted the innovative Australian Community of Services and Schools (COSS) Model to address significant youth-related issues in Wodonga, specifically, youth homelessness and early school leaving.

This evidence-based model can prevent people aged 12-18 from experiencing homelessness and disengaging from education.

In Albury and Geelong, the model results show a 40 per cent reduction in young people entering the homelessness system and a 50 per cent reduction in school disengagement.

The Wodonga Project will require private funding until early intervention and prevention funding is available in line with the implementation of the new Federal Housing and Homelessness Agreement.