With a new chairperson at the helm, Singleton's Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) is launching into a new phase to support young people on the road with 10 sponsored positions in a Safer Driver Course available for learner drivers in the Singleton local government area.
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Road Safety Officer at Singleton, Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter councils, Alison Balding is combining her role with her background in psychology and health science (particularly working with young people) to generate support, education and prevention activities for young people as CDAT chairperson.
Auspiced by Singleton Council, Vicki Brereton, Council's Director Organisation and Community Capacity said she was looking forward to Alison's contribution to the team.
"I know Alison is very keen to look at what issues affect young people, but also keen to get some young membership because they're the best ones to develop programs that are going to work for that audience," she said
"As the Road Safety Officer, she sees the issues related to drug and alcohol related harm in our area. The Singleton CDAT also recognises the strain that COVID 19-and the ever-changing economic stresses are having on local families.
"CDAT already has already delivered successful initiatives in response to some of these issues, including the DRIVE program which runs in partnership between Singleton Council, Singleton PCYC and the Salvo's Drive for Life program that trains people to supervise young learner drivers who would otherwise be unable to tally the 120 hours necessary to graduate to their P plates.
"I'm looking forward to what other initiatives we can work on together to take preventative action and achieve even more successful outcomes for people in the Singleton local government area."
One of those initiatives is 10 sponsored positions in the Safer Driver Course to help young people become more defensive drivers.
Participation in the program also adds 20 hours to the young person's log book.
"The course is valued at $140 per person, and young people who have their L plates and completed 50 log book hours are eligible to submit an expression of interest for one of the 10 places," Ms Brereton said.
"If you know a young person with their Ls living in the Singleton local government area who has been negatively impacted by COVID 19, please encourage them to submit a short video (about 30 seconds) or a written submission (30 words or less) about why they need our help for a funded spot in a Safer Driver Course."
Submissions may be emailed to CDAT via singleton.cdat@gmail.com by Tuesday 6 October 2020. Young people must have completed or be close to completing 50 log book hours and must attend the course before the end of 2020.
If you are a young learner driver struggling to achieve driving hours because of hardships, please contact https://www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/728/Driving-Employment-Pathways for more information about the DRIVE program.
For members of the public interested in being members of the Singleton CDAT, please contact singleton.cdat@gmail.com
