Get Your Post Info to Go!

Are you looking for your next post? Do you need more details about life at post? Post  Info To Go from the Overseas Briefing Center (FSI/TC/OBC) offers you a wide array of insights and knowledge from posts worldwide. Don't have access to the State intranet? At the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC), we help U.S. Government employees and their family members prepare for an overseas assignment or a return home. We encourage you to explore our website and email us with questions and requests for additional information.

RESEARCH life at overseas posts
LEARN the logistical requirements of a move
FIND resources to help navigate the foreign affairs lifestyle

           There are also a variety of supplemental resources that have been compiled on our publicly accessible site at Country Information (Bidding Resources):

Allowances at each post (TIP! This information is available in a compiled format in Post Info To Go and you can compare up to three countries side-by-side!)

Travel warnings and consular information sheets

Links to Foreign Service Life Skills Training information

List of Foreign Affairs Offices and organizations 

Don’t know where to start?  Contact the Overseas Briefing Center at FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov. to discuss your

your questions and find answers for your next move to post!

Is Your Senior Searching for the Right College for Next Fall?

Check out this list of colleges and universities still accepting applications: bit.ly/collegeopenings

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has released their annual list of colleges and universities that are still accepting applications from prospective freshmen or transfer students for the fall of 2018....

See More

National Association for College Admission Counseling- College Openings

The College Openings Update is designed as a tool for counselors, parents and teachers as they assist students who have not yet completed the college…

NACACNET.ORG

Reminder! PDF Applications Due on May 13

Applications for the 2018-2019 Professional Development Fellowship (PDF) program are due on Sunday, May 13. Program details, application instructions, and the application form are on the PDF webpage. Read the instructions BEFORE completing the application. Like and follow FLO on Facebook for updates. Send questions to FLOAskPDF2018-2019@state.gov with the subject line: PDF Question. About PDF The program is open to spouses and partners of direct-hire U.S. government employees from all agencies serving overseas under Chief of Mission authority. The fellowships assist spouses and partners with maintaining, enhancing, and/or developing their professional skills. Activities may include, but are not limited to, education and distance learning through an accredited university, professional development, obtaining or renewing certifications and licensures, and participation in professional conferences. Fellowships from $1,000 up to $2,500 will be offered on a reimbursable basis.

FLO Website Feature: College and Beyond

If your child is starting to think about his/her college and university options, check out the Family Liaison Office’s College and Beyond webpage. You will find information on standardized tests, college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and more. Also, visit the College Application Frequently Asked Questions webpage to learn more about what to expect from the application process. Email FLOAskEducation@state.gov with questions.

2018-2019 PDF Application Period Now Open

The Family Liaison Office is now accepting applications for the Professional Development Fellowship (PDF) program. The program is open to spouses and partners of direct-hire U.S. government employees from all agencies serving overseas under Chief of Mission authority. The fellowships assist spouses and partners with maintaining, enhancing, and/or developing their professional skills. Activities may include, but are not limited to, education and distance learning through an accredited university, professional development, obtaining or renewing certifications and licensures, and participation in professional conferences. Fellowships from $1,000 up to $2,500 will be offered on a reimbursable basis. The application deadline is May 13, 2018. Program details and the application form are on the PDF webpage. Like and follow FLO on Facebook for updates. Send questions to FLOAskPDF2018-2019@state.gov with the subject line: PDF Question.

Employment Resources for Family Members

Over the next three weeks, we will provide tips for preparing yourself for future employment opportunities overseas and in the U.S. Whether it is your first overseas post or your last, these tips apply to you. Questions or appointments? Contact a member of FLO's Employment Team at FLOAskEmployment@state.gov. Part One: Moving to an Overseas Post Read the Quick Guide to Overseas Employment. Watch the video Employment Strategies. Listen to the podcast on Family Member Employment. Contact the Global Employment Advisor at your next post. Find out if there is a Bilateral Work Agreement at your next post. Learn about Portable Employment Options. And don’t forget to update your resume.  Regardless of where you are going, it is very important to have your employment documents with you. Check out this list of important documents. If you are currently working in a Family Member Appointment overseas, download your eOPF documents from HR Online while you still have access. Also, remember your Employee Express login.

Reminder! FLO Global Webinar Tomorrow at 9:00am ET
Those Who’ve Gone Before: Health and Wellness, deptofstatehr.adobeconnect.com/geihealth-wellness

About the Series
Hosted by FLO's Global Employment Initiative Team, the EFM entrepreneurship series is designed to help aspiring EFM entrepreneurs learn from other EFMs who are successfully self-employed.

FLO’s Global Employment Initiative invites you to watch the upcoming webinars in our EFM entrepreneurship series. The series is designed to help aspiring EFM entrepreneurs learn from EFMs who are successfully self-employed.

Links
1. Those Who’ve Gone Before: Health and Wellness, deptofstatehr.adobeconnect.com/geihealth-wellness
2. Qualify in Person: FINDING Your Story,deptofstatehr.adobeconnect.com/geifindingyourstory
3. Qualify in Person: TELLING Your Story ,deptofstatehr.adobeconnect.com/geitellingyourstory

Summer 2018 Distance Language Learning Courses

The Foreign Service Institute’s (FSI) Summer 2018 semester of online distance language learning courses are starting on May 14. Take an instructor-guided online course to learn a new language or improve your skills in a language you already know. Courses are available to suit all levels of language learning, from beginner to advanced. Instructors work with learners to help them meet their individual language training needs and goals. Foreign and Civil Service Department of State employees with a job-related need for language training and accompanying EFMs/MOHs are eligible to enroll. Enrollment is also open to other federal agency employees and their EFMs on a reimbursable basis. Email OnlineLanguage@state.gov for more information.

FLO Website Feature: Foreign Service Life and Crisis Management

FLO can provide guidance and assistance to employees and families navigating the challenges and opportunities of the Foreign Service lifestyle. Its Foreign Service Life webpage provides information on a variety of topics including eldercare, adding a family member to your orders, members of household, foreign-born spouses, long-distance relationships, and more. The Crisis Management Services webpage also has useful information about personal preparedness (is your Go Bag ready?) and post evacuations. Email FLOAskSupportServices@state.gov with questions.

The Family Liaison Office Turns 40

On March 1, 1978, FLO became an office within the Department of State to support Foreign Service employees and family members living a mobile lifestyle. Learn more about the history of FLO on our 40th Anniversary webpage. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate “40 Years of Making a World of Difference."

Left: FLO Director Susan Frost, Family Member Employment Coordinator Chris Baumgarten, and CLO Program Specialist Michelle Ross took a break from CLO training in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate with a group of amazing CLOs from around the world. / Right: FLO staff in Washington, DC wish FLO a Happy Birthday!å

Did you know? 
FLO assists with naturalization cases for foreign-born spouses of Department of State Foreign Service employees. Learn more at www.state.gov/flo/naturalization. Email questions to FLOAskNaturalization@state.gov.

For those who are transitioning back to DC and have children who may be attending Fairfax Public Schools, the first grade Immersion registration deadline is March 1 at 4:00 p.m. Fairfax County Public Schools 🤸‍♂️🤸‍♀️

EPAP News: 2018 Spring/Summer Lists of Positions Are Online

The lists of the 2018 Spring/Summer positions for the Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP) are now on FLO’s website (www.state.gov/flo/epap on the “How to Apply” page). Email FLOAskEPAP@state.gov with questions. Notes Medical positions for all bureaus outside of NEA and SCA will be added soon. Position lists are subject to change; check back often for updates. More positions than are available are advertised to give maximum flexibility to applicants and bureaus. The USAJOBS.gov vacancy announcement is coming soon.

The Expanded Professional Associates Program (EPAP) provides eligible spouses with        employment opportunities in key positions at missions abroad. EPAP is distinguished from other family member employment opportunities in that it has portfolios similar to Foreign Service entry-level positions. Additionally, EPAP positions are centrally funded by the Department of State and are administered by the appropriate Washington regional or functional bureau.

The regional bureaus have been authorized a total of 400 EPAP positions, and the Bureau of Information Resource Management (IRM) has been authorized 50. In addition to these 450 positions, individual posts have the option of creating post-funded ICASS positions with prior approval from their bureau. EPAP positions include the following specialties: Construction Engineer, Economics, Facilities Management, Financial Management, General Services, Human Resources, Information Management, Medical, Management, Office Management, Political, and Public Diplomacy.

For more information and eligibility requirements, please click here:

https://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c41174.htm