through this website, AAFSW receives a small percentage to help fund out activities and services. AAFSW is also affiliated with 
State Department Resources for Foreign Service Families
Transition Center
Training Division
Overseas Briefing Center
Career Transition Center
Official website: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/
The Transition Center provides training, information, and referral services to U.S. government employees and their families assigned to diplomatic posts abroad and post-career services to employees of foreign affairs and other federal agencies. It is comprised of the Training Division (TC/T), the Overseas Briefing Center (TC/OBC), and the Career Transition Center (TC/CTC). Through its three divisions, the Transition Center helps prepare employees and their family members for effectiveness in the foreign affairs community by facilitating transitions throughout-and after-their careers.
More than 15,000 people visit the Overseas Briefing Center annually, seeking current information on living conditions at overseas posts. Another 1,500 participate in the Transition Center's specialized training workshops on subjects ranging from regulations and finances to employment options for spouses. More than 2,000 employees and family members attend the Security Overseas Seminar each year, and about 1,250 participate in the Career Transition Center's programs.
Page on State Department website: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c6950.htm
Contact Email: FSITCTraining@state.gov
(Security Overseas Seminar): FSISOS@state.gov
The Transition Center's Training Division (TC/T) offers programs and special events to assist you in learning helpful skills in navigating foreign affairs life. These include understanding the structure of a U.S. embassy/mission; cross-cultural competencies; social, etiquette, and protocol skills; safety, security, and medical knowledge. Presentations and courses target not just employees but also family members, including children. Courses are offered Monday through Friday and on select Saturdays and Wednesday evenings. Prior registration is required. For current course listings and schedules call 703-302-7268 or e-mail TC Training at FSITCTraining@state.gov.
For more information on Transition Center courses visit this page at the State Department website: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c6951.htm. Course calendar available here: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c17120.htm.
Another group of seminars includes the Security Overseas Seminar (SOS), which all foreign affairs agency personnel are required to attend before going abroad and every five years thereafter. Family members are strongly urged to attend. The two-day SOS allows participants to query experts, review policy, and receive advice on security-related topics. The one-day Advanced Security Overseas Seminar (ASOS) provides updates for those who have already taken SOS. In addition, SOS for Temporary Duty Personnel is a one-day course that provides U.S. government business travelers with vital information about security matters. Children grades 2-12 may attend the one-day Youth Security Overseas Seminar (YSOS) offered during the summer months. Prior registration for all courses is required. For course dates and more information call 703-302-7269 or e-mail SOS Training at FSISOS@state.gov.
Page on State Department website: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c6954.htm.
Contact Email: FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov
The Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) provides practical advice on preparing to go overseas, including checklists of things to do before leaving and information on allowances, insurance, or traveling with pets. It also offers vital post-specific information on life abroad. Country briefing boxes offer insight into individual posts; culture guides and cross-cultural reference books provide guidance to life in the foreign country where you'll be posted; and if you would like to get in touch with someone who's been there, the OBC offers a returnee file of local contacts. Also available to U.S. government employees and their family members are "electronic post boxes," which can be accessed by sending an e-mail to the Overseas Briefing Center.
If you have access to the State Department Intranet, check out this article which links to dozens of publications available on the intranet: Start the New Year Taking Handouts.
The Overseas Briefing Center operates as a drop-in facility. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:15 am to 5:00 pm as well as on select Saturdays and Wednesday evenings. For more information e-mail the Overseas Briefing Center at FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov.
Career Transition Center
Official Website: http://www.state.gov/m/fsi/tc/c6958.htm
Contact Email: FSICTC@state.gov
Look to the Career Transition Center (CTC)'s training and counseling to address such planning concerns. Personnel interested in job leads primarily outside the federal government can add their names to the CTC's Talent Bank. You can also participate in two flagship programs: the Job Search Program (JSP) and the Retirement Planning Seminar (RPS). In addition, the CTC offers a one-day Financial Management and Estate Planning Seminar and a one-day seminar on Annuities, Benefits, and Social Security. The CTC also publishes a monthly electronic newsletter providing information to interested employees and retirees on job searches and employment opportunities.
The Career Transition Center is located at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center, telephone 703-302-7407.
More information is available to State Department employees and their family members on the Department Intranet.