THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2023 39 AAFSW is a not-for-profit organization open to all active and retired employees of all U.S. foreign affairs agencies, their spouses, partners, and family members. Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) Since 1989, the Foreign Service Youth Foundation has helped young people embrace the adventure of an internationally mobile childhood by encouraging resilience, fostering camaraderie, and celebrating achievements. Open to dependent minors of U.S. citizen employees from all agencies serving under chief-ofmission authority, FSYF assists youth in adapting to changing environments as they transition between posts worldwide. Global programs include webinars on third culture kids’ issues (including reentry seminars for students returning to the U.S. and college admissions workshops), an online video and document library, publications, virtual youth meetups, annual contests (art, essay, community service, and video), and academic merit scholarships. FSYF also organizes in-person events to connect its members in the D.C. metro area, including youth or family meetup events, volunteer work sessions, and a fall welcome-back picnic attended by more than 150 family members. Most programs are geared toward middle school and high school students. Parents are encouraged to remain as members even after their children are grown to continue to give back and assist the next generation. For more information, visit www.fsyf. org or email fsyf@fsyf.org. Global Family Liaison Office (GTM/GCLO) Since 1978, the State Department’s Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) in the Bureau of Global Talent Management has worked to improve the quality of life of U.S. government direct-hire employees and their family members from all agencies under chief-of-mission authority serving overseas and returning to the United States by providing advocacy, programs, and services. GCLO’s Education and Youth Team provides guidance to assist families in making informed decisions about their children’s education. They provide information on boarding schools, Washington, D.C., area schools, special needs education, homeschooling, virtual learning resources, and college preparedness. They assist the Foreign Service community with information on childcare, gifted and talented resources, education allowances, adult education, and summer camps. GCLO’s Bouncing Back webpage contains information on transition and reentry planning for parents of Foreign Service youth. The Unaccompanied Tours Team assists employees and their family members before, during, and after an unaccompanied tour. They provide guidance and information that can assist employees in the decision-making process for where their families will live during an unaccompanied tour. They manage the Children’s Medals and Certificates of Recognition Program and provide ageappropriate workbooks to children who have a parent preparing for or currently serving on an unaccompanied tour. For more information, visit www.state.gov/gclo or email GCLO@state.gov. Office of Employee Relations (GTM/ER) The State Department Bureau of Global Talent Management’s Office of Employee Relations contracts with WorkLife4You, a resource and referral service. WL4Y specialists are accessible 24/7 and provide guidance and referrals for a variety of services, including child/adult/pet care, financial/legal services, and health/wellness. WL4Y also provides Care Kits filled with practical products and guides. WL4Y is open to State Depart- ment direct hires and EFMs. For more information, contact WL4Y 24/7 at 1 (866) 552-4748 [TTY: 1 (800) 873-1322] or at www.worklife4you.com. Create an account by clicking on “Not registered yet? Start Now!” and entering registration code DOS. A State email address is not required to create an account. USAID employees have access to a similar service called Staff Care. For details, go to www.usaid.gov/staff-care. Office of Overseas Schools (A/OPR/OS) The State Department’s Office of Overseas Schools, part of the Bureau of Administration, promotes quality K–12 education at posts worldwide. The office assists U.S.-sponsored overseas schools in the operation and expansion of programs that embody best educational practices employed in the United States. Regional education officers are available to discuss all aspects of educating a child while posted abroad, including special needs and gifted education. The office maintains Fact Sheets and Special Needs Profiles on assisted schools, as well as resources on bidding, special needs, gifted, child protection, and teaching in overseas schools. For more information, go to www.state.gov/ office-of-overseas-schools/. n
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