The Try, Test and Learn Fund: Rewire the Brain Project

Overview

The Rewire the Brain project is targeted to Vocational Education and Training (VET) students who have been exposed to major adverse life events and are more likely to experience toxic stress levels. This in turn makes it more difficult for them to remain engaged in education, and to gain and sustain employment. The project aims to increase these young students’ ability to remain engaged in education and to obtain and sustain employment through improving their cognitive function, social and emotional skills, mental control and self-regulation. The project will be trialed in two TAFE institutions, in metropolitan New South Wales and Queensland. The project will work in partnership with the TAFE institutions to identify and refer students to the project. It will be offered to 240 students over both sites, as a “workplace readiness” unit that counts towards the student’s VET course completion. Project activities will focus on supporting the students to improve cognitive function and social and emotional skills through neuroplasticity training that includes:• computerised and non-computerised brain training programs• greater awareness and understanding of the brain through workshops and mindfulness programs• other supporting therapies such as art and physical activities • wrap-around services to remove structural and environmental barriers (including work and career counselling and referral to other service providers if needed. Participants receive both one-on-one sessions with youth worker and referrals for additional services where required).