The Foreign Service Journal, June 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2023 73 and best practices, but we are not involved in the day-to-day policies or decisions at these independent institutions. Our team’s advocacy has increased the number of assisted schools willing to consider the applications of mild learn- ing needs from approximately 20 percent to 98 percent. This work is just the start. Next, we hope to increase the level and diversity of needs served. To under- stand these schools and programs, and where each school is in their journey to build special needs capacity, we encour- age families to reach out to the REOs. A Understanding the SNEA process and ensuring children are receiving the ser- vices they need is an important part of the process as families make decisions on their moves from post to post. GCLO aims to inform and connect families to resources that will help with those transitions. We encourage you to reach out directly to the Office of Allowances (AllowancesO@state.gov ), MED’s CFP Team (MEDCFP@state.gov ), and the Office of Overseas Schools (Overseas Schools@state.gov) with questions or to ask for more information. We also encourage families to contact our Education and Youth Team at GCLOAskEducation@state.gov , by phone at (202) 647-1076, and visit them online at www.state.gov/glco/education. Families may also want to read 3 FAM 3280 SNEA and the DSSR 270 Education Allowance. n To understand these schools and programs, and where each school is in their journey to build special needs capacity, we encourage families to reach out to the REOs. —OS