THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2023 37 RESOURCES FOR Raising FOREIGN SERVICE KIDS John K. Naland and his wife, Barbara Reioux, raised two children in the Foreign Service. He has been the president of the Foreign Service Youth Foundation since 2015 and is in his fourth term as AFSA vice president for retirees. Growing up in a Foreign Service family presents both benefits and challenges. Benefits include an expanded worldview, heightened interpersonal and cultural sensitivity, increased tolerance, multilingualism, and the capacity to adjust more easily to changing circumstances. Challenges can include confused cultural identities, feelings of rootlessness, difficulties creating a sense of belonging, and, at times, exposure to physical hardship and danger. Thankfully, Foreign Service youth and their parents do not have to face these challenges alone. Several nonprofit organizations and Department of State offices work hard to maintain a social safety net for our youth. Unfortunately, many potential beneficiaries do not take advantage of these valuable resources. I hope this article will prompt more parents to utilize the programs and services that their colleagues put such great effort into making available. American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) AFSA’s flagship publication, The Foreign Service Journal, has published dozens of articles over the years dealing with raising and educating Foreign Service kids. See a listing at www.afsa. org/educationarticles. Get to know the nonprofit groups and State Department offices that offer a social safety net for Foreign Service youth. BY JOHN K. NALAND FOCUS ON FS FAMILIES AT HOME
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