Don’t Forget to Join the FLO Telework Connection LinkedIn Group

The FLO Telework Connection LinkedIn group is a first step in a pilot project to connect talented family members with potential employers.

We currently have 175 members and are starting to invite employers to join and begin posting opportunities. Don’t forget to join this new group to make sure that interested employers see what you have to offer.

For more information, email FLOAskEmployment@state.gov.

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The Family Liaison Office 

&

The Foreign Service Youth Foundation

cordially invite you to the 

2015 Youth Awards Ceremony

as we honor our

 FSYF Contest and Award Winners,

AAFSW Scholarship Merit Award Winners, 

&

 Children with Parents Serving at Unaccompanied Posts

Friday, July 10th, 2015

10:00am - 12:00pm

RSVP Here

Location of Event

Department of State's George C. Marshall Center

2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520

Use East Entrance on 21st Street

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5K Run and GORUCK Light Challenge with Veterans@State

The Department of State Veterans group invites you to join us in some physical team building challenges. Summer 2015 we are getting out and active. Join us and experience the camaraderie that accompanies the completion of team based physical events. Details for the two events are listed below. We encourage interested parties to sign up individually to secure your place. A Veterans@state forum will be provided to coordinate pre-race and post-race activities.

Non-Veterans, families and friends welcome to join!

FUN RUCK** AND KILL THAT 5K: WASHINGTON, DC 7/11/2015

Start Point: Bull Run Park

7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, VA 20121

http://www.goruck.com/fun-ruck-and-kill-that-5k-washington-dc-07-11-2015-10186/p/E010186

FUN FOR EVERYONE

Participants or “Ruckers” of all ages and abilities are welcome. Ruck as fast as you can or as slow as you want, this isn’t about personal records – it’s about getting active and having fun with family and friends.

Most 5K’s start too early in the morning and you don’t meet anyone new. GORUCK 5K’s start in the afternoon where you and your friends ruck with some of the best people you can meet.

** Rucking is a walking or jogging exercise while wearing a backpack or other “rucksack” to carry supplies/weight for a set distance.

LIGHT CHALLENGE: WASHINGTON, DC 8/15/2015

Start Point: TBA at least one week from event

http://www.goruck.com/light-challenge-washington-dc-08-15-2015-3396/p/E003396

GORUCK Light

4-5 hours, 7-10 miles

GORUCK Light Challenge = Fun Rucking while tackling team challenges. Average completion rate: 100%

Maybe you’re still not sure about GORUCK, but you want to do something. GORUCK Light is an easy to accomplish team relay. It’s a lighter vibe, lighter loads and less time commitment, which means more time to socialize with your class after you’re done.

The average completion rate of those who show up is 100%. If you can do a 5K, you can do a GORUCK Light Challenge.

For any questions on the events, please feel free to contact the Veterans@state Special Events Coordinator, Jared Sarkis, at sarkisjs@state.gov. If you are interested in joining the Veterans at State EAG or would like more information, please visit our SharePoint site: Veterans@State

Looking for College Options? UMUC Offers 25% Discount

In 2014, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to provide a 25 percent discount on out-of-state tuition rates on courses, certificates, and degree programs to all current Federal employees, spouses, and their legal dependents.

Those who are eligible can take individual courses or enroll in any of UMUC’s 95 undergraduate and graduate degree or certificate programs, most of which are available fully online. Visit UMUC’s website for more information and to enroll.

Free 2-Day Summer Youth Program for Children Grades 2-12 Foreign affairs agency children in grades 2–12 are invited for two days of exploration into the world of diplomacy and realities of living overseas as an American. The young diplomat participants will also explore safety and security threats they might face overseas and identify resources to protect themselves. This course is highly interactive. Children are divided by age and all information is shared using age appropriate activities and details. **Session attendance is limited. Register now to guarantee your preferred session** Who May Attend: Open to all Foreign Affairs agency children in rising grades 2-12 (no exceptions) PLEASE NOTE: A parent or guardian is required to be on campus. This youth course runs simultaneously to MQ911 Security Overseas Seminar. Parents are encouraged to register for MQ911. Where and When: At the Foreign Service Institute, George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, Arlington, VA from 9:00am-4:00pm on July 13-14, July 20-21, July 27-28, August 3-4, and August 10-11. How to Register: To register please email FSITCTraining@state.gov with all of the following information: which course offering you are interested in enrolling your children, the name of youth participant(s), rising grade levels, agency affiliation, and a preferred email contact. Questions: For questions about this seminar please contact coordinators at FSITCTraining@state.gov.

Transfer Season = More Employment Opportunities in FLO

You may have noticed several employment opportunities in FLO in recent weeks. FLO goes through transition season along with the rest of the Foreign Service community. We are all family members and many of us are moving on to our next adventure. We hope that those of you moving back to the DC area this season will consider applying for one of the positions below.

 Education and Youth Program Specialist (GS-09) - See vacancy announcement for details.

 Unaccompanied Tours Specialist (GS-09) - See vacancy announcement for details.

 Crisis Management and Support Program Specialist (GS-09) - See vacancy announcement for details.

All positions are located in Washington, DC and may require some travel. The positions are full time, two-year limited appointments, with potential to be extended up to a maximum of five years. The appointments are not in the Competitive Service. The application deadline for all three positions is 11:59 p.m. ET, June 24th, 2015.

IQ Quest - Summer Care: We’re here to help!

Summer is here but don’t worry if your summer care plans are still pending!  Information Quest (IQ) offers personalized guidance, targeted information and customized resources and referrals to meet your family’s unique summer care needs, including:

Personalized Referrals

Specialists are standing by 24/7 to refer you to summer camps and programs and child care providers that are the right fit for you and your family, including:

·         Day and residential programs

·         Specialized programs (sports, academic, art, special needs, etc.)

·         Child care centers

·         Family day care

·         In-home care (nannies, au pairs, babysitters)

·         And more!

Plus, you have access to Emergency Backup Dependent Care, a program designed to help you secure—and pay for—backup care when your care plans are disrupted. Emergency Backup Care provides:

·         Ample coverage — 5 days per year for each eligible family member

·         An extensive network of credentialed child care centers or in-home care providers which only require a $10 co-pay for up to a full day of care

·         Reserve care up to 30 days in advance or request for last-minute emergencies

Access Interactive Tools

Log on to the WorkLife4You website to access tips, checklists and in-depth articles to help your whole family plan for summer on topics such as:

·         How to find and evaluate summer camps

·         Discover summer options for teens

·         How to prepare your child for residential summer camp

·         Summer camp health & safety tips

·         Summer fun with the whole family

·         How to keep kids learning to avoid summer brain drain

·         And more!

Get Summer Savings

Visit the online Discount Center for helpful savings on millions of brand-name products and services nationwide for all of your needs this summer!

For additional information and/or to request the services please call 1-866-552-IQ4U (4748) or TTY: 1-800-873-1322.   

****************

The Family Liaison Office 

and

The Foreign Service

 Youth Foundation

cordially invite you to the 

2015 Youth Awards

 Ceremony

as we honor our

 FSYF Contest and Award Winners,

AAFSW Scholarship Merit Award Winners, 

and

 Children with Parents Serving

at Unaccompanied Posts

Friday, July 10th, 2015

10:00am - 12:00pm

RSVP Here 

Location of Event

Department of State's George C. Marshall Center

2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20520

Use East Entrance on 21st Street

****************

It can be challenging at times to balance the demands of work and life. We may feel the need to do more in less time at work – or to be available at all times in today's connected world. We may also feel pressure to shine in all the other areas of our life – as a parent, as a spouse or partner, as a friend. These demands can make us feel burned out, stressed, unproductive, and unwell. This month's Member Pulse digest features tips for finding the work-life balance that's best for you. Just click on the titles below to go directly to the articles. ·         Work-life balance: tips to reclaim control Do you feel overwhelmed when you think of your to-do list at work? Do you often work long hours or work on your days off? Juggling work and life demands isn't easy, but these tips can help you keep a healthier balance. ·         Stress relief: when and how to say no At some point, most of us have said "yes" to taking on a task that we simply didn't have time to do. It's harder to say "no," but doing so can be much better for our stress level. Read more for tips on why, when and how to say "no." ·         Job burnout: how to spot it and take action Are you irritable around your co-workers or clients? Feeling cynical or critical at work? Suffering from unexplained backaches or headaches or a lack of energy? You could be experiencing job burnout. Job burnout can hurt your health, career and relationships. Find out if you're at risk of burnout and what to do if you are experiencing it. ·         Your EAP: daily living services Not enough hours in the day to finish everything on your "to-do" list? Your EAP can help you find the right business or service to meet your needs – from a pet-friendly hotel for your next trip to a reliable plumber. Services we can find for you include: Hotel accommodations Repair and maintenance for your home or car Transportation services Pet services Relocation assistance

The Ralph Bunche Library Speaker Series Presents: Understanding Violence - Lessons from Una Chapman Cox Fellow Sherry Zalika Sykes and three Virtual Student Interns -->

Amy Chang, Yale University; William Che Nembhard, Howard University; Melissa Pavlik, University of Chicago; and Amy Sereday, Columbia University.

Ralph Bunche Library

Thursday, June 4, 2015 @ Noon

 Room 3239, HST

RSVP – Library@state.gov