110.Defence Families of Australia-New Leadership & How DFA advocate for Defence Families

<p>In this week's podcast episode, I talk to DFA’s newly appointed Defence Family Advocate of Australia Sandi Laaksonen-Sherrin.</p> <p> </p> <p>Sandi and I talk about;</p> <ul> <li>What her vision is when it comes to stepping into the role of Defence Family Advocate of Australia for DFA (Defence Families of Australia)</li> <li>Why it’s important that there is an advocacy group for defence partners and families</li> <li>How DFA remains independent of defence and provides frank advice to the Minister</li> <li>DFA’s advocacy pillars and what DFA will be pushing hardest on in the immediate future</li> <li>How DFA know what to advocate for on behalf of defence partners and families</li> <li>Why you don’t need to have personal experience to contact DFA about a defence partner or family issue you would like to bring attention to</li> <li>How defence partners and families can have their say on particular topics or issues of concern</li> <li>What the next 12 months look like for DFA and advocating for defence partners and families</li> <li>DFA’s short term and long-term goals for defence partners and families</li> <li>How DFA ensures they are representative of the defence partner and family community</li> <li>Why DFA is working on new opportunities to make it easier for defence partners and families to have a voice</li> <li>The work DFA have been doing to create an Advocacy Map due to be released in late November 2021</li> <li>How the advocacy map will be used as a tool by DFA to empower defence partners and families to get involved</li> <li>Some of the key area's DFA has had an impact on in recent times thanks to their advocacy</li> <li>DFA’s involvement when it comes to the Royal Commission into Veteran suicide and why it is important to provide a voice for defence families and veterans</li> <li>Her thoughts on whether it’s time family policy, support & services undergo a review</li> <li>Why DFA’s employment program ended and what is happening next when it comes to DFA and partner employment</li> <li>How Defence partne