38 OCTOBER 2023 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Most FSYF programs are geared toward middle school and high school students. Since 1926, AFSA has offered college scholarships that last year supported more than 100 Foreign Service students with need-based and merit awards totaling over $400,000. For more information, visit www.afsa.org/afsa-scholarships. As the legal representative of the Foreign Service, AFSA’s advocacy in recent years has included youth and family issues. For example, AFSA pushed for improvements in State Department support for children with special educational needs and secured passage of legislation granting in-state college tuition to Foreign Service dependents in their state of domicile, irrespective of how long it has been since they were last physically present in that state. Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) For more than 60 years, the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide has advocated for the interests of Foreign Service family members. In 1960, AAFSW initiated and led creation of the Family Liaison Office (now the Global Community Liaison Office), which runs the Community Liaison Office program. AAFSW’s efforts also gave birth to the Overseas Briefing Center (at the Foreign Service Institute) and the Foreign Service Youth Foundation. This not-for-profit organization is open to all active and retired employees of all U.S. foreign affairs agencies, their spouses (including divorced and widowed), partners, and family members. It offers six scholarships for children of AAFSW members. In addition, the annual Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad honors employees and family members who help the most vulnerable communities worldwide. AAFSW links families through several Facebook groups and via Livelines, an online group that connects almost 3,400 members to share tips. The popular AAFSW book Realities of Foreign Service Life touches on raising children overseas. AAFSW assists families with evacuations to the D.C. area. Its volunteers facilitate stateside family member gatherings, lead virtual webinars, and host cultural events at the Department of State. For more information, visit www.aafsw.org. Bureau of Medical Services (MED) The Department of State’s Employee Consultation Service (ECS) in the Bureau of Medical Services offers free, confidential referrals to professional clinical social workers for State employees and their family members. These counselors can assist parents and children with family problems, blended family concerns, school adjustment problems, reentry concerns, and other emotional problems. ECS also coordinates several virtual support groups focused on parenting; see www.state. gov/counseling-resources-and-referral-services. MED’s Child and Family Program completes post-specific educational and mental health clearance recommendations for children with identified needs. In addition, the office adjudicates the Special Needs Education Allowance for those children who meet eligibility criteria for educationally required services and support. For more information, see www.state.gov/office-ofchild-and-family-programs. The bureau’s Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program covers education, consultation, and treatment referrals for employees and family members dealing with alcohol or drug issues. Foreign Service Institute Transition Center (FSI/TC) For more than 45 years, the Foreign Service Institute’s Transition Center (TC) has supported U.S. government employees and their family members as they transition—internationally and domestically. The Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) is both a physical and virtual hub of information for bidders and their families from all agencies falling under chief-of-mission authority. For the younger community members, the OBC’s resources include KidVids, which, gathered in partnership with the Foreign Service Youth Foundation, depict life at post from a child’s point of view. OBC’s Zine series focuses on different aspects of a nomadic lifestyle for middle and high school students. The Transition Center’s Training Team also provides youthspecific programming in the form of “Super Saturday” events, an opportunity for kids to explore both the emotional and logistical aspects of a move overseas, as well as “Young Diplomats Overseas Preparation,” focused on safety and security for kids in grades 2 through 12. Courses offered by TC’s Center of Excellence in Foreign Affairs Resilience include “Encouraging Resilience in Your Foreign Affairs Child.” For more information on how to access these resources or register for a course, visit www.state.gov/ transition-center or email FSITCTraining@state.gov.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODIyMDU=