The Defence Special Needs Support Group offers the following services:

• 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. Two programs are available:
  (1) Flexi Respite Program where a trained carer from a respite agency supports the family and the person with special needs
  (2) Host Family Program which uses Defence families as a Host Carer.
• 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
• FYI (For Your Information) – a program of guest speakers and/or specialized workshops where the DSNSG heavily subsidizes the cost of attendance
• Home 2 Hospital – program which assists families when the person with special needs is admitted to a hospital that is outside their locality 

For further information, please contact the National Coordinator

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.

The following information is a guide only. For further information contact your local DCO Office or give the DSNSG National Office a call on 1800 037 674.

Recognition of Special Needs
A procedure whereby members can apply to be formally recognised by Defence, as having a family with special needs in order to apply for any of the special needs assistance measures provided by Defence.  These include:

• Special Needs Pre-Posting Visit
• Therapy Assistance
• Respite Assistance
• Equipment Assistance
• Personal Care Assistance
• Housing Assistance

In addition, some families maybe eligible for a Valet Unpack

Other forms of assistance that maybe available for special needs families are:

• Education Assistance
• Childcare Reimbursement Allowance
• Travelling Allowance

Please refer to the Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN)   http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/

All assistances measures associated with being a Family With Special Needs, including Extra Tutition Allowance are Fringe Benefit Tax FREE.