All individuals and organizations with interests in the issue of youth homelessness are urged to contribute information and ideas to the National Youth Commission into Youth Homelessness [NYC].

Organisations may be community agencies, specialist services, homelessness service providers … individuals may be workers in the field or members of the community who have information and ideas of relevance.

The NYC is especially interested to obtain the views of homeless young people. There are a number of ways that contributions can be made.

1. Written submissions: Invitations have been publicly issued to all stakeholders to make written submissions to the NYC. A written submission may be a letter, an e-mail or a more substantial document. When submitting a written submission the author, whether individual or organisational should be clearly identified and a telephone number/e-mail address provided so direct contact can be established for verification and so that any issues raised by the submission can be followed up. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Closing date: 15th June 2007

2. NYC Hearings: The National Youth Commission will be holding hearings in all capital cities and many regional centres. The first round of such hearings have been nationally advertised and information is being distributed widely. To speak at a public hearing contact the NYC to that your contribution can be scheduled. While hearings will normally be public, there will be an option for informants to provide evidence outside of public view. In all cases informants will be required to sign a consent agreement which authorises the NYC to use the evidence provided in its report. Confidential information may be used but without identifying the informant. Speakers are asked to:

(a) Not use names except for public figures. Examples of individual experience can be given in detail and this is encouraged, but without identifying the individual concerned by name.

(b) Briefly provide a context for any comments to the NYC.

(c) Talk about the problem in terms of your perspective or experience but provide as much evidence for claims made as possible.

(d) In terms of your local experience what is happening, what changes on this issue have been taking place – is the problem getting worse or not – what improvements in the local response to youth homelessness have happened.

(e) When suggesting ideas for improvement to policy or programs make out your

3. Out of session interviews and discussions: Not all inputs will be able to be accommodated at public hearings. Researchers from the NYC and members of the National Youth Commission will visit individuals, organizations and localities where there is reason to do so. Some interviews will be done one to one or by telephone. The same general points about participation and consent apply.

4. On-line submissions: A NYC website will provide for on-line input after 31 March 2007. On-line contributors will be required to register by name and affiliation if applicable, telephone number and e-mail for the purpose of identification or follow-up. Website: www.nyc.net.au