The Foreign Service Journal, June 2021

72 JUNE 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT post that is not currently on CFP’s radar, will CFP consider that information in approving the post or allowing the parent to make use of those services? CFP: We always welcome the involve- ment of parents in helping us make the most informed clearance recommenda- tions or SNEA authorizations for their children. This includes the family provid- ing the names, credentials and contact information for schools, therapists or other resources from their own research. In collaboration with our overseas medical staff, including regional medical officers (RMOs), regional medical officer psychiatrists (RMO/Ps), other health care providers and the Office of Over- seas Schools’ regional education officers (REOs), we will then seek to understand the qualifications of any clinicians or capacities of schools overseas to manage the children’s needs. Because of the wide variability in expertise and capacity of some of these resources overseas, we may not be able to approve them for use in every case. FLO: The clinicians now have regional responsibilities that mirror those of the REOs from the Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools. What is the benefit of this? CFP: The regional assignments will allow the CFP clinicians to develop a much deeper understanding of resources in each region and work more closely with their counterparts in the OOS. We hope that when travel restrictions relax, our CFP clinicians will have the opportu- nity to meet school officials and provide education and guidance regarding CFP and SNEA funding to schools, health units and embassy communities overseas. Simplifying Things FLO: I understand that the SNEA refer- ral process was recently simplified. How will this benefit FS families? CFP: The CFP nurse liaison has been central to improving our processes by addressing all requests and inquiries, following up with families, assisting with gathering required documentation, assigning SNEA cases for review when all the documentation has been submitted, monitoring and tracking any incomplete requests, and elevating any inquiries to