advocacy, projects & research

Mind the Gap is a rural and regional community engagement program funded for 2009-12 by the Department of Health. It focuses on the primary prevention of HIV, sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) in young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (GLBTIQ) people. The program targets both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and non-ATSI youth aged 25 and under living in rural and regional Victoria.

Mind the Gap is delivered by FPV in partnership with Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, Centre for Adolescent Health and Youth Empowerment Against HIV/ AIDS. The supporting partners are FAR Social Enterprises, The Twenty 10 Association and the Burnett Institute.

For more information, please download an overview of Mind the Gap or contact David Mejia-Canales on T/ 03 9257 0117 or at E/ dmejia-canales@fpv.org.au.

Part of Mind the Gap, the Sexual Health and Diversity Enterprise (SHADE) aims to raise awareness of prevention and testing for STIs and BBVs in young GLBTIQ people while supporting greater access to sexual health care in these communities. It also aims to encourage community dialogue and raise awareness of youth sexual health issues by developing targeted social marketing messages and distributing key resources.

The SHADE campaign runs during the month of February in different parts of regional and rural Victoria, where community groups and organisations are awarded small grants to develop activities and events promoting sexual health and diversity which meet the needs of their local community.

Workforce development training is offered to health care providers to raise awareness and improve the management of health and social issues facing GLBTIQ youth.

For more information, please follow the links below or contact David Mejia-Canales on T/ 03 9257 0117 or at E/ dmejia-canales@fpv.org.au.

SHADE overview   SHADE newsletters   SHADE community grants application 2012  SHADE resources order form

Q&A Victoria - Creating resilient, effective and visible leaders

Part of Mind the Gap, Q&A Emerging Young Leaders Program gives established and emerging GLBTIQ leaders aged 18-28 and living or working in regional or rural Victoria the chance to develop their leadership capacities.

Participants gain knowledge about their community as they work through an intensive and rigorous program involving community engagement, reflection and mentoring.

For more information, please follow the links below or contact David Mejia-Canales on T/ 03 9257 0117 or at E/ dmejia-canales@fpv.org.au.

Q&A FAQ  Q&A application form Q&A mentor information  Q&A mentor application