Assistance Available to Families

This page outlines assistance provided by the DSNSG, and also assistance provided by Defence.

DSNSG Assistance

The Defence Special Needs Support Group offers the following services. For further information, please contact the National Coordinator.

• Posting Plans which are designed to assist families with special needs to locate appropriate services ie therapy, early intervention, support groups, respite and much more in their new location.
• National Parent-to-Parent Network which links special needs families who are posted, to other families in the new location who have similar needs.
• Circle of Friends Respite Progam uses Defence families as a Host Carer to assist those families who have someone with a disability. Circle of Friends provides respite once a month and all Host carers are volunteers.
• Computers 4 Kids assists families to access a new or second hand computer.
• One of the Group is a specialized program designed to assist children who have social skill difficulties.
• Link Up which links adults (usually spouses) with physical or medical special needs. It is conducted via a Telelink service and costs the participant nothing.
• Leaps N Bounds is a support group for those who have depression or other mental health problem.
• Access to Grants which can assist families with special needs to obtain equipment or other particular requirements relating to the person with special needs.

• Special Needs Publications

Defence Assistance

The ADF acknowledges that particular assistance may be required by the member with Family With Special Needs (FWSN), as a direct result of the member's mobility and relocation. ADF support to FWSN is not to duplicate the support that families may be eligible for through other organisations eg Government Departments or Government-funded agencies.