The Foreign Service Journal, June 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2023 71 What if the services for a child cost more than that? ALS Team: No, services are not capped at 150 percent of the standard “At Post” education allowance. The DSSR provides guidelines for parents to request an allowance above the published rate; however, whatever is necessary for the child’s education is allowed. The first 50 percent above the chosen education allowance (At Post, Away from Post, or HS/PI/VS) may be reimbursed at the post level for required services listed in the child’s ILP or equivalent, as well as additional allowable expenses (listed in DSSR 276, 277, and 960). If additional funding is necessary, post sends a request to us in the Office of Allowances. If MED/CFP is not copied on the request, then we will communicate with them to confirm the dollar amount and make sure we are able to financially meet a child’s educational needs. The Role of the Office of Overseas Schools GCLO’s Education and Youth Team also spoke with the Office of Overseas Schools (OS) to learn about the role regional education officers (REOs) play in helping meet the needs of families with children who have special education needs. The State Department’s six REOs are all former educators, principals, or heads of international schools, and they are full of knowledge about the assisted schools overseas that they support. The term “assisted” means that the school receives an annual grant from the State Department to assist with opera- tions and programs and to help them offer educational practices similar to those in U.S. schools. Parents can contact the REO to discuss options, ask questions about specific schools, receive guidance, and help ensure that their child’s needs can be met at a particular school at post. GCLO: Most of the Department of State’s assisted schools are limited in their ability to meet the special education needs of a growing number of Foreign Service children. What steps is your office taking to improve the availability of accommo- dations for moderate to severe learning needs? Overseas Schools Team: Improving the availability of special needs program- ming is at the top of our office’s strategic plan. Families are encouraged to work with the REOs as early as possible in their bidding and assignments process . While we support American-style education through our annual grants program, State does not own or operate any of these schools. We provide guidance Amore rigorous process was necessary to make sure the money went where it was intended. —ALS