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Transition
Support for ADF members and

their families

Defence Community Organisation

If you’re new to Amberley, Defence week and is staffed by qualified human- Children’s education
Community Organisation (DCO) has resource professionals including social DCO has dedicated Education Liaison
a range of information, support, and workers and psychologist. Call 1800 Officers to provide advice to families,
social activities that can help you and 624 608. and school-based mentors to support
family settle in. Partner employment Defence children through changing
DCO has Australia-wide programs schools and times of parental absence.
and services delivered nationally and Funding is available for initiatives DCO also provide financial assistance
from local offices, in all states and that contribute to the immediate to eligible students from ADF families
territories, including an Amberley office employability of partners when they for some education costs incurred as a
on base. relocate due to their ADF partner’s result of posting to a new location.
There’s support available at every military service. Defence’s Partner
stage of life, from young recruits away Employment Assistance Program Emergency and crisis support
from parents for the first time, and (PEAP) is also available to partners DCO provides a range of practical
partners managing member absence, of ADF members who are medically and emotional support programs for
to the time members leave full-time transitioning from the ADF. families facing unforeseen emergencies
service. DCO is there in times of need Dependants with special needs or crisis, including assistance in time
and any time in between. Families who have dependants with of illness, injury, domestic crisis or
There is a wide range of services special needs can get information bereavement. Members and their
and programs available to help you and practical assistance to reduce families can access 24-hour support,
and your family to make the most of the impact of relocation. DCO staff at social work and assessment, or referral
military life: the Amberley office can also put you from the all-hours Defence Family
Helpline on 1800 624 608.
24-hour support in touch with the Defence Special
If you need support, help, or advice at Needs Support Group who have a local Community connection
any time, the Defence Family Helpline coordinator here at Amberley. Families seeking to connect with or
operates 24-hours a day, seven days a Support during deployment contribute to their local community can
and time apart get personalised advice or access our
directory of Defence and community-run
An integral feature of Defence life is time activities and events in our local area.
apart from families due to deployments,
training or other Service requirements. Funding for community groups
DCO services seek to inform and Not-for-profit community organisations
prepare ADF members and families running programs in support of Defence
for these times and to make these families can apply for financial support.
experiences positive and strengthening There are a number of such groups
ones for the family. operating in the area around Amberley
including the Amberley Playgroup
Childcare managed by Amberley Defence
DCO maintains a network of childcare Communities and the Defence Special
centres around Australia, with priority Needs Support Group.
of placement for ADF families. Those
facing difficulties accessing childcare, Transition to civilian life
like when they move to a new area or DCO provides a range of practical
change their work or care arrangements, guidance and administrative support
can also access an individual case to help those planning to transfer to
FLTLT Ali de Vries from No. 35 Squadron management service provided by the Reserves or leave the Australian
enjoying the Defence Community Defence’s childcare service provider, Defence Force make a seamless
Organisation Expo with her husband Alex One Tree Community Services, to help transition to civilian life. You can attend
and daughter Charlie. them find childcare. seminars or talk to our team about your
Photo CPL Jesse Kane options at any time and it’s an important

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