New funding announced for ADF family support programs

Community groups that support Australian Defence Force (ADF) families today received a funding boost under the Government’s Family Support Funding Program (FSFP). Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the supplementary grants would assist nine not-for-profit organisations which had been affected by the challenges of this year to provide programs and activities that support the wellbeing of ADF families. “This year has been challenging for many Australians, and this includes many of our Defence personnel who have been separated from their families while providing vital assistance as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist,” Chester said. “The FSFP has helped to support organisations as they’ve delivered programs and activities for the Defence and local community and this funding will help this work continue. For example, the Singleton PCYC has received funding to deliver a 10-week holistic health and wellbeing initiative aimed at Defence families, focusing on workshops, fitness and educational sessions. Importantly, these activities support ADF families build and maintain a strong connections with their local community and helps them create support networks. Congratulations to the organisations that received funding and thank you to all those organisations across the nation that support our Defence families.” More than 50 community projects have shared in around A$1.7 million this year through the FSFP, which will help them support their local defence community. The grants program is managed by Defence Community Organisation which provides a wide range of assistance for Defence families. Defence families can contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 for information on accessing community resources. For more information visit the Defence Community Organisation website: www.defence.gov.au/dco. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]