The Foreign Service Journal, June 2021

74 JUNE 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT the MED/CFP SNEA adjudicators when further guidance is necessary. When families identify a problem or potential problem with a child’s education while overseas, CFP strongly encourages them to discuss this with the embassy health unit staff, who will then schedule an appointment with the RMO/P. If, through that discussion, SNEA seems an option, we have simplified the RMO/P referral process. In the new process, we only ask for basic eligibility criteria as described in the Individuals with Disabilities Educa- tion Improvement Act of 2004. We speci f- ically ask, “Does the child have an actual or suspected diagnosis in one of the 13 categories defined by the statute; and if so, how does the diagnosis adversely affect the child’s progress in school?” Additionally, we want to understand what, if any, school interventions or supports have been helpful or are being requested. The simplification of the SNEA referral process identifies children with needs and gets their families in contact with CFP as quickly as possible, rather than waiting for parents, schools, clinicians and the RMO/P to gather required documentation prior to submitting the SNEA referral. The CFP nurse liaison then works directly with families to assist in gather- ing required documentation. FLO: What is being done to reduce the lengthy list of required paperwork for parents? Are there other ways to simplify things, particularly for those who have already established long-term needs for their children in the past? CFP: CFP recognizes this is a problem, and we are working to streamline the clearance consultation and SNEA applica- tion processes tomake themmore efficient and easier for our families. Families do not need to forward duplicate documentation for consideration in clearance and SNEA processes. We actively try to anticipate future needs and work with parents ahead of time to identify what documentation will be required to avoid a difficult rush to obtain required information. If families have questions regarding the clearance referral and SNEA application processes, or are having difficulty obtain- ing requested information, please notify the CFP team at MEDCFP@state.gov. The MED/CFP team. From left, Dr. Charles Lilly, Michele Schurtz, Nancy Kelly, Dr. Barbara George and Monique Perry. Not pictured: Dr. Ruth Imershein, Emili Kuchler, Dr. Tera Ford and Salma Zaki. U.S.DEPARTMENTOFSTATE