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Realities of Foreign Service Life Vol. 1

Realities of Foreign Service Life Vol. 2

Realities of Foreign Service Life, Volumes 1 and 2: Writers from the Foreign Service community share their first-hand experiences and insights through essays on Foreign Service life. A great gift for newcomers or veterans of the Foreign Service and especially useful for anyone considering a Foreign Service career! Read more about Realities of Foreign Service Life here and order your copy!

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State Department Resources for Foreign Service Families

Family Liaison Office: Support Services

Official Website: http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/
Contact FLO at flo@state.gov.

The Family Liaison Office Support Services Officer provides information and counsel to Foreign Service employees and family members on personal and community crisis. The Support Services Officer also provides guidance and assistance to Community Liaison Office Coordinators at embassies and consulates abroad.

Adoption

The Support Services Officer provides information to Foreign Service people about international adoption guiding them to the appropriate people in Consular Affairs, Personnel, and local resource groups.

Death

In the event of a death of a Foreign Service employee or family member, the Support Services Officer contributes to the personal and logistical support that the Department provides to the family.

Divorce

The Support Services Officer listens to issues and concerns of Foreign Service people considering divorce and helps them to clarify their options and identify resources in the State Department and through local resource groups. The Support Services Officer provides the framework for understanding the divorce issues that are Foreign Service specific. Also available online: The Foreign Service Family and Divorce.

Elder Care

The Support Services Officer provides information to Foreign Service people who are considering taking their parents to post with them as well as to people who are looking at long distance care for their parents. She refers people to local support groups and provides information on regulations and allowances.

Evacuation Support

The Support Services Officer provides support to evacuated embassy and consulate employees and their family members by serving on the task force, coordinating airport arrivals, organizing periodic briefings, and publishing a newsletter for the community. All evacuees receive a weekly phone call from the Support Services Officer to check on their situation. The Support Services Officer provides training to and coordinated with the Evacuee Support Network, (ESN), a volunteer group sponsored by the Association of American Foreign Service Women.

Crisis Management Information available from FLO's Direct Communication Project

Many of these publications are downloadable from the Family Liaison office web page.