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Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
DEFENCE SPECIAL NEEDS SUPPORT
GROUP INC
“..It’s not easy to describe
the experience of raising a
child with special needs.
From the outside, it may
look challenging and
stressful. But in the heart
of a parent, it is a wonder-
ful experience of evolution
and personal growth..”
In This Issue
Welcome to End of
year Newsletter
Word from National
Committee
Local Coordinators
DCO/ Important Links
for families
Chaplaincy
Navy Health/ Aspen
Medical
APS Benefits
Defence Health
Welcome to our end of year Newsletter. My name is Kim
Collins and I am the new National Coordinator for the group.
It has come to the end of the year where we see some families
preparing for postings, and everyone getting ready for Christ-
mas. The National Committee would like to wish you and your
family a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and peaceful New Year. If you
are travelling throughout this busy time of year, please be safe.
The current team, have had a very successful year. Collectively we are very com-
mitted to ensuring that volunteer Coordinators and our special needs families re-
ceive the support and information that our families deserve.
This year saw DSNSG launch 3 new programs for 2015:
Computer 4 Kids program: To assist families to purchase a product to im-
prove the skills of their child or children diagnosed with behaviour issues speech
delays, learning and literacy delays, delayed or under-developed motor skills. This
product will encourage better communication between the child, parents, extended
family and their community. This program is sponsored by Defence Health and
DSNSG. Please email [email protected] for further details.
Drive Safe Program: To assist and help members of our DSNSG families with
ASD, ADHD, and Asperger’s to gain confidence and self-esteem when learning to
drive. This program was developed because we recognised that people with a
disability needed specialised training and assistance to gain their driving licence.
Having a licence will likely make job hunting more accessible to these young men
and women and in turn help reduce the financial strain of having a special need.
This program is sponsored by Aspen Medical and DSNSG. Please email
[email protected] for further details.
Family Emergency Care Plan: A specialised care plan which can assist in the
event of emergencies, when families have a member absent on duty. The folder
that families receive will contain information to assist emergency workers and/or
police to appropriately support the member with special needs. Please email
[email protected] for further details
The DSNSG National Committee and Coordinators would like to thank you for
your patience and ongoing support though out 2015 and for being apart of an ex-citing new year. We all look forward to 2016.
Please note that from 4th of Dec till 28th of Dec the DSNSG hotline will be un-manned. Should you need to contact someone in emergency please call
DCO Helpline on 1800 624 608.
Christmas News Letter Nov 2015
National Assistant Coordinator Terry Fisk
Sandra Soulsby Communication and membership Officer
A Short Note from
Terry Fisk – National
Assistant
Coordinator and
Connecting Families
Coordinator
As Xmas fast
approaches, many
of you will be facing
the turmoil of
moving yet again.
Because this is such
a busy time for
many, not to
mention visiting
extended families or
simply heading off
on holidays, the
Connecting Families
programme will not
operate for much of
the Dec 15/Jan 16
period. Of course,
each area will
instead have the
opportunity to bring
families together for
their DSNSG Xmas
parties.
Whilst I am aware of most major events around Australia, there are some that may slip through. This is also
particularly relevant for smaller and/or more remotely located groups where major events may rarely perform. If there is an event in your area, big or small, that you think that families might like to attend as a group, please email me at [email protected] and I will see whether it can be accommodated. Remember though
that the purpose of
the Connecting
Families programme
is to bring families in
local groups
together for an
event, for the
purpose of the
families increasing
their networks, peer
support, information
sharing and
assistance, so the
event cannot be
subsidised through
the Connecting
Families programme
unless multiple
families attend.
Word from National Communication Membership Officer
It has been a very busy few months since
the National Conference in Canberra in
May. Since the launch of the three new
programs at the conference we have had
31 new families joining the DSNSG Group.
We have had a few families contacting us
wishing to leave the group as they have
moved location or discharged from the
defence force. You do not have to
relinquish your membership on posting or
discharge.
All you need to do is update your details
with the Communications Membership
Officer on the following email –
Your special needs person in your family does not need to be recognized by defence to join the DSNSG Group. This is a defence requirement for housing and posting reasons. Also please make sure all of your dependants are listed with the group as some of programs are for the whole family not just the special needs person. Also please be aware that the defence force does not notify us of your posting details, so please let us know when you move to avoid missing out on local events in your area.
Please don't forget to get in contact with
our communication/membership officer
Sandy Soulsby to update your new details
when you get posted so you can receive
invites in new location to events and Xmas
parties. Sandy can be reach on
National Committee 2016
National Coordinator
Kim Collins:
National Assistant Coordinator
Terry Fisk: [email protected]
National Assistant Coordinator
Sandy Soulsby:
National Communication/Membership Officer
Shannon Winkler:
National Treasurer
Karen Dobbin:
Local Coordinators
New South Wales
Sydney South: Mara Bean-
Liverpool: Renata owens-
Williamstown: Laurie Coleman-
Albury/Wodonga: Karen Ramsay-
Wagga Wagga: Melissa Pike-
ACT/CANBERRA
Canberra South: Margaret Maher-
Canberra North: Carol Johnstone-
QUEENSLAND
Amberley: Kim Collins-
Brisbane: Sabrina Mejia-
Brisbane: Michelle Lafferty-
Townsville: Sarah Pedrana-
Darling Downs: Staci Foot
staci [email protected]
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Darwin: Danielle Thompson–
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Perth: Amanda Hope-
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide and Woodside: Emma
Duyzer-
VICTORIA
Albury/Wodonga: Karen Ramsay-
We have a number of areas across
Australia that do not have a Local
Coordinator. If you are interested in
helping other families with special
needs and can spare some time, we
would love to hear from you.
Please contact the National
Coordinator on
or call 1800 037 674
The National Committee can be
reached on
National Support and Helpline
1800 037 674
Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
DCO
Families with special needs are on the move
ADF families around the country are now planning for their next posting. Defence families who have dependants with special needs, should be already talking to Defence Community Organisation (DCO) about practical assistance and support to reduce the impact of relocation and minimise any interruption to specialist services that the dependant needs.
Once your dependant is recognised by Defence, you may be entitled to receive assistance in the event of a posting. For example, where it’s essential for the dependant to visit the new location before posting, DCO can cover accommo-dation and travel costs for the dependant and one family member. This is only granted where it’s not possible to make arrangements from the old location or there’s a requirement for face‑to‑face contact in the new location.
Where the dependant has special housing needs, Defence Housing Australia may be able to provide assistance with allocation or modification of housing in the new location, and accommodation while in transit. Visit www.dha.gov.au for more information.
In order to receive any of the support available, you will first need to have your dependant with special needs formal-ly recognised by Defence. Then, before you move, you will need to apply for an assessment of assistance to deter-mine what the dependant requires and what support Defence may provide in the new location.
To apply, fill out the relevant form on the DCO website for the service you require and submit it along with all sup-porting documentation to the Defence Family Helpline.
For more information or assistance with your application, contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608. There is also a CD-ROM available called ‘Guidance to assist in your Special Needs application’ which can be ordered through the Helpline or collected from your local DCO Area Office.
National Welfare Communication Centre http://www.defence.gov.au/nwcc/ Defence Community Organisation http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/ Partners in Defence http://www.defence.gov.au/DCO/Partners/ Condition of Service http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/ ADF Family Health http://www.defence.gov.au/health/Dependant_Healthcare/i-healthcare.htm Australia Defence Families http://www.dfa.org.au/ Department of veterans Affairs http://www.dva.gov.au/ Veterans & Veterans Families Counselling Services http://www.dva.gov.au/health_and_wellbeing/health_programs/vvcs
Defence Housing Australia http://www.dha.gov.au/ Australia Post Defence Mail http://auspost.com.au/parcels-mail/mail-for-defence-personnel.html Translating & Interpreter Services (TIS) https://www.tisnational.gov.au/ Deployment Activity Book http://www.defence.gov.au/nwcc/Documents/DeploymentActivityBook.pdf Family welfare plan http://www.defence.gov.au/nwcc/Documents/FamilyWelfarePlan.pdf Changing Address or going on holidays http://www.defence.gov.au/nwcc/Documents/ChangeofAddressorHolidays.pdf Defence Care www.defencecare.org.au
Important Links for families
Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
Army, RAAF, NAVY
Chaplaincy
Navy Chaplaincy The purpose of the RAN's Chaplaincy Branch is to attend to the spiritual needs of members of the Navy, and to provide the opportunity and facilities for the proper ob-servance of the practice of religion. When young men and women enter the Navy, they are separated from the influence of home and the local place of worship with which they have been associated. RAN Chaplains are required to provide a religious ministry which is compre-hensive and is a highly specialised field of pastoral care. They provide the ministry on behalf of the Church in which they are ordained. Additionally, because of the many different religious traditions and faith groups found within the military environment, a Navy Chaplain must also facilitate religious ministry and effective pastoral care for all RAN personnel even if they do not identify with the Chaplain's own church, or indeed with any for-mal faith or church. The highly mobile lifestyle of Navy families often results in only temporary attachment to local churches, therefore, more reliance is often placed on Navy Chaplains to provide pastoral care, personal guidance and help in crisis situations, and calls for assis-tance with family occasions such as marriages, baptisms and funerals. Please head over to the website for On Call RAN's and further information. http://www.navy.gov.au/about/our-people/counselling-religion
Army Chaplaincy Chaplains play a unique role within the Australian Army by enhancing military capability through the religious min-istry and pastoral care they offer members and their fami-lies, and the advice and support given to commanders within Australia and on operations overseas. Chaplains provide essential counselling and support both mentally and spiritually to Army personnel across all faiths and to those of no religious affiliation.
Please head on over to the website for on call phone for Chaplains/Padres in your area http://www.army.gov.au/Army-life/Health-and-welfare/Chaplaincy-supportChaplains
Air Force Chaplaincy Air Force Chaplains provide close-in support to members of the Air Force and their families. This means helping members and their families work through a range of life issues, especially as they apply to military service, in-cluding: marriage & relationships money relocation on posting being posted unaccompanied deployments practising faith leaving the Air Force Chaplains understand the Air Force because we are in the Air Force. We know the system and who to speak to in the system. We work with commanders and we liaise with other Defence support services. Some of these are: Medical / Regional Health Services Defence Community Organisation Defence Families Australia National Welfare Coordination Centre Chaplains undertake their duties ethically with a duty of care to Defence members and their families. Click here for information on the Chaplain Code of Conduct. http://airforce.gov.au/Air-Force-Chaplains/Your-Air-
Force-Chaplains/?RAAF-
huY3NoTFWA5dX4XXi75ay3prx36QOyw1
Wear a different kind of uniform? You’re still our kind of member.
Navy Health has been providing not-for-profit health cover to the wider Defence community for 60 years. It doesn’t matter whether you wear the Navy, Army or Air Force uniform; we’re here for you.
As a committed Defence Force health fund, Navy Health provides cover for the families of serving personnel and then covers the serving member once they have discharged. The best part is that once you have been eligible, i.e. served full-time, in reserves, etc. you are able to join Navy Health at any time in your life!
The membership eligibility extends to the eligible person’s immediate family - so if you have ever served or been a reservist, your children, parents, brothers, sisters, and grandparents can join too!
To further show their commitment to the ADF, Navy Health offers all serving families tailored military covers, a 10% discount and no wait-ing periods on discharge. Furthermore, if you or a family member is an active Reservist, you will also get the 10% discount (conditions apply – see navyhealth.com.au).
To find out more, go Navy Health Website or phone 1300 306 289 for a no obligation discussion on how you can benefit with Navy Health.
Aspen Medical has been a supplier of medical ser-
vices and training to the ADF since 2004. Aspen has
provided this support both in Australia and on over-
seas operations.
Since being subcontracted by Medibank Health Solu-
tions (MHS) in 2012, Canberra-based Aspen Medical
has been providing healthcare to on-base ADF per-
sonnel across Australia. Every day 1,200 health pro-
fessionals from Aspen Medical provide primary
healthcare services, allied health, oral health and
mental health services to the 80,000 servicemen and
women at 52 bases. In addition to this contract the
company also provides battlefield casualty first aid
training to the ADF in the Middle East region and
supports the ADF on field exercises in Australia.
Caring for the health of the ADF is a great privilege
according to Aspen Medical’s CEO, Bruce Arm-
strong, himself a former officer in the Australian Ar-
my.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a major
role in Aspen Medical’s operations. A percentage of
the company’s profits goes to the Aspen Foundation,
set up by the owners of the business to significantly
reduce or eradicate key illnesses in the Australian
community. The company also operates a workplace
giving and matching program and has a strong focus
on people with disabilities.
“Our servicemen and women deserve the very
best healthcare. With our partners, MHS and
Joint Health Command, we collectively aim to
provide the most effective and efficient Defence
healthcare service anywhere in the world,” he
said.
Last year Aspen Medical supported the DSNSG by
helping Steven Foot get mobile in Queensland.
Steven has Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD, and is
16 years old. Steven attends school in Oakey Spe-
cial Ed and was looking for work. The only way Ste-
ven could get to appointments or job interviews was
when Steven’s parents are able to drive him which
they could not do all the time. Steven needed driving
lessons but he required longer lessons and more of
them. Aspen Medical paid for the lessons and the
good news is that Steven passed with flying colours!
Steven has now
completed his Driving
and has now got his P’s.
Steven is now able to
drive himself to his
exam blocks, as living
in country this has
been an amazing help
to our family.
Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
Defence Families of Australia are the official body who represent and advocates for Defence families. We report directly to the Assistant Minister for Defence and Chief of Defence. Our goal is to ensure quality of life
for all Defence families by providing
a recognised forum for their views
and by reporting, making recom-
mendations and influencing policy
that directly affects families.
Each year in August the DFA
Executive Committee comes
together in Canberra for a week of
meetings with key stakeholders,
including the Assistant Minister for
Defence (AMINDEF), the Chief of
the Defence Force (CDF), the three
Service Chiefs and Warrant Officers,
Chaplains, DCO, Defence housing
policy and personnel, as well as
national managers from DHA and
Toll Transitions. Prior to Conference
Week DFA presented stakeholders
with a comprehensive report
outlining feedback and issues raised
by families from across Australia
over the past year. This report
formed the basis of Conference
Week discussions and the DFA
Annual Agenda (available soon on
our website)
provides an overview of the
outcomes of those discussions as
well as informing Defence, families
and stakeholders of the tasks which
we will be undertaking on behalf of
ADF families over the coming year.
You can keep up to date with DFA
news on our website
www.dfa.org.au where you can also
sign up for our e- newsletters.
“LIKE” our Facebook page for
updates and have a look at your
regional DFA Facebook page for
local information and events plus
contact details for the DFA National
Delegate located in your region.
FAMILIES GET THE CHANCE TO
TELL DEFENCE WHAT THEY
THINK ABOUT MILITARY LIFE
Being a member of the ADF is a
unique experience, not only for the
individuals in uniform, but for their
parents, partners and children who
are also asked to accept the distinct
challenges associated with military
life.
For families with special needs, the
Defence lifestyle can be particularly
challenging. Moving house, living in
regional areas with limited services,
and family members being away for
long periods can make it harder to
get support and establish a routine.
This November, ADF families have
the opportunity to provide feedback
about their experiences and views
on service life through the 2015 ADF
Families Survey. This year’s survey
will focus on how relocations and
absences from home impact on fam-
ilies, and what Defence can do bet-
ter to support families during these
times.
The Defence Families Survey opens
on 16 November and will close on 7
December 2015. The survey should
only take about 20 minutes to com-
plete and will be in an accessible
online form on the following web-
sites:
• Defence Community Organisation:
http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/
• Defence Families of Australia:
http://www.dfa.org.au/
The results are expected to be avail-
able in early 2016
CONTACT DETAILS FOR YOUR NATIONAL
DELEGATE
ACT and Southern NSW
Amy Nerio
www.facebook.com/
DFAACTSouthernNSW
Central and Northern
NSW
Toni Purton
www.facebook.com/
DFACentralNorthernNSW
Northern Queensland Sharon Stratton [email protected] www.facebook.com/DFANorthernQueensland
Southern Queensland [email protected] www.facebook.com/SouthernQueensland
Western Australia Kirsten Kerrisk [email protected] www.facebook.com/DFAWesternAustralia
South Australia Melissa Hughes [email protected] www.facebook.com/DFASouthAustralia
Victoria and Tasmania Gabrielle Sasse [email protected] www.facebook.com/DFAVictoriaTasmania
Northern Territory and Kimberley Alison Penny [email protected] www.facebook.com/DFANorthernTerritory
Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
APS Tax & Accounting Richard Ferraro at APS Tax, Account-ing and Business Services is an experi-enced CPA taxation accountant. Whether it is setting up a business, managing your superannuation fund or just obtaining quality service, Richard can help you.
APS Financial Planning Timothy Foster provides access to ad-vice and information on the important financial decisions we all face, whether it be superannuation, investments, pre and post retirement planning, life insurance, gearing, disability and trau-ma insurance, managed funds or savings plans.
APS Mortgage Broking Sam Athans treats every mortgage as if it were his own. He has access to 20 mortgage lenders and has over 40 years experience in banking. Let us do the leg work for you.
APS Insurance (General Insurance Broking)
Danielle Rowe heads our insurance broking team and is a salaried employ-ee of APS Benefits. With over 15 years experience in the industry, Danielle has access to insurance products that in-clude home and contents, motor vehi-cle, boat/caravan, landlord, public liability, income protection, life, disability & trauma. The next time you receive your insurance renewal notice or want insurance for the first time, call Danielle on 1300 131 809.
APS Personal Loans APS Benefits provides unsecured Eve-ryday Loans up to $15,000, Special Purpose Loans up to $30,000 and secured car, track, caravan or motorbike loans. Call the loans team on 1300 131 809.
APS Funeral Cover. Adult & Child Cover Available.
APS Benefits Membership Coordinator Jesse Clarke can assist members to gain immediate funeral cover up to $20,000 for adults and $7,000 for dependent children (aged 2 to 15 next birthday). Do you have cover in the greatest time of need? Call us on 1300 131 809.
APS Savings APS Savings Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of APS Benefits and offers a Fixed Term Investment product. Ask Sam Athans about the interest rate on offer and you will be pleasantly suprised. The term can be 30 days, 6 months, 12 months or 24 months. Call us on 1300 131 809.
APS Wills & Estates Phil Lambourne from APS Wills & Es-tates has over 25 years’ experience as a lawyer. Phil can help you with wills, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration. Is your will up-to-date? Have you reviewed your will recently? It affects more than just you!
APS Benevolent Foundation Recently launched, the Foundation is a registered charity and a deductible gift recipient. Donations above $2 are tax deductible. The Foundation will enable the Society to expand our level of benevolence. Need to know more? Call us on 1300 131 809. Further to this, APS Benefits is owned by its members, so any profits are channelled back to members. Help spread the word by introducing new members and APS Benefits will send you, your nominated charity or your staff social club $50 for each new member you nominated. For more information call us on 1300 131 809 or visit www.apsbs.com.au
Standard
individual Tax
Return $99 when
you quote this
discount number
*APS1905
Defence Special Needs Support Group Inc ABN 68 090 485 608
Defence Health
Defence Health understands the extra demands on ADF families. For more than 60 years now we’ve
been by providing great value health insurance, specially tailored for the
Defence community.
We’ve earned a reputation for delivering quality service with genuine care, knowledge and expertise.
But we do more than just pay the bills. Our members are just like family to us. We listen to them, pro-
tect them and support them in times of need.
More than 235,000 Australians are part of our
family. And if you join Defence Health, you’ll discover why they stay.
We’re proud to support the Defence Special Needs Support Group and the Computers 4 Kids Pro-
gram. It’s just another way we can support the family.
If you want great value health insurance from an insurer who cares about you, join the family.
Call us on 1800 335 425 or visit www.defencehealth.com.au
The computer 4 kids program has
benefited our family immensely. Has
saved a few meltdowns. Great for our
aspie son to google his answers for
the questions we cant answer. Its a
real help of support financially as well.
Thank you so much to the sponsors
and DSNSG. The Price family.
