Youth Support Services assists young people aged 10 to 17 who have had contact with police and are at risk of being involved in or who are at the early stages of involvement with youth justice. 

The program has just received $17.1 million funding state-wide from the state government.

Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge said the new funding allowed a minimum of 70 youth across Bendigo to be part of the program each year. 

She said it would allow youth to achieve positive outcomes including better school engagement, reduced family conflict and a reduced likelihood of requiring tertiary-end services.