A Message from the National Coordinator
In late 1993 a small group of families, each caring for someone with special needs came together to form the Defence Special Needs Support Group. During 1994, this small group spread its wings across Australia and now as we enter our 17th year of operation, we continue to provide support, information and assistance to ADF Families with Special Needs both here in Australia and overseas.
2010 was a year of improvement and growth for our group. We saw the enhancement of several of our existing programs and unprecedented improvements to and strategic investments in our organisational capacity and capability. Throughout the year, we have continued to work in partnership with families who provide care to someone with special needs whether it be through advocacy, information provision, peer support, case management on postings or combined activities and events. We undertook a restructure of the National Committee and our Strategic Plan 2010 - 2012 was adopted with the Statement of Purpose including:
- To empower people with special needs and their carers to be as self-sufficient as possible in advocating on behalf of themselves;
- To promote and advance the rights of people with special needs and their carers;
- To advocate on behalf of Defence families with speical needs to ensure the best possible support and services are available; and
- To work collaboratively with the Department of Defence and other organisations to improve the service system for Defence families with special needs
With our Guiding Principles being Responsiveness, Collaboration, Influence, Quality, Professionalism and Sustainability, the attainment of a significant number of our organisation's strategic milestones was a welcome result. This represents the work that the Defence Special Needs Support Group does in building resilience in families, carers and those with special needs. Our programs are built on a strong research and evidence base that consistently attests to the need for families with special needs to have the necessary support and resources available to them. Each family and each special needs is different. We have developed a variety of options for families to access support, information and assistance - programs that target families, parents, mothers, fathers, siblings, carers and spouses or children with special needs.
Our National Office received nearly 3000 calls or requests for assistance and support during 2010 with many other requests being received by local Coordinators.
2011 has already seen us assist with special needs families who have been affected in some way by the recent Queensland flooding, families requiring information and support who have just posted into location and an increase in the number of people seeking respite. Needless to say that our volunteer Coordinators have been busy.
This year we have a large number of events, workshops and family days happening across Australia. Keep in touch, stay informed, join us on Facebook and contact either the National Office or your local Coordinator to find out what is happening in your area.
Margaret Fisk OAM
National Coordinator
DSNSG Conference 2011
Every year DSNSG Coordinators descend on Canberra for the annual Coordinators' Conference. The Conference, assisted by funding from the Family Support Funding Program enables the Coordinators to participate in a range of activities, workshops, presentations and discussions - all designed so that Coordinators can better support families with special needs.
The highlight of the conference was the dinner held at Old Parliament House where we celebrated the 10th anniverary of the Circle of Friends Respite Program. Guests watched the Circle of Friends video and heard stories from families involved in the program over the past years including a family who was a Volunteer Host Family. Presentations were made to the Hon Bronywn Bishop MP, Janet Stodulka, Peter Sharp, Joan Gilbert, Karen Dobbin and Lorraine Rowe for their valuable contributions to the program ensuring that it continues to provide the necessary respite support to families with special needs.
Other presentations included the induction of new DSNSG Coordinators, presentation of 10 Great Years Award and DSNSG Achievement award to Melanie Graham and a special CDF Commendation to Terry Fisk, Co-Founder of the DSNSG.
At the conference dinner, Jon Linehan, CEO Defcredit presented the Defence Special Needs Support Group with a donation to support and continue to expand the group's many programs including 'Connecting Families' and the 'For Your Information' (FYI) workshops. The ongoing support and tireless efforts by Defcredit staff across Australia is greatly appreciated.
The Defence Special Needs Support Group thanks our Co-Patrons, Minister Warren Snowdon and CDF Angus Houston for their continued support.
