Useful Links for Diplomatic FamiliesSolarpower! An email group service for Foreign Service and expats and their spouses run by Tales from a Small Planet. Choose to read the messages in your e-mail or on the web. Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide AAFSW is a non-profit organization representing Foreign Service spouses, employees, and retirees since 1960. Their web site offers articles updating members on association activities, special reports, tips for spouses, the Cyberspouse column, links to books by Foreign Service spouses, a link to Livelines, an interactive e-mail bulletin board exclusively for Foreign Service spouses, and links to other useful web sites. Foreign Service Youth Foundation Foundation serving U.S. foreign service children in the DC area and abroad. Website describes clubs, calendar of events, and publications. AAFSW Playgroup Support group for stay-at-home parents of Foreign Service preschoolers and babies living in the DC area. Includes a monthly calendar and contact information. Livelines An e-group service where you can read and post messages from and to other Foreign Service Spouses. Choose to read the messages in your e-mail or on the web. Click on link to subscribe. Cyberspouse Online column profiling overseas spouses who work via a modem. ForeignService.org Website dedicated to the Foreign Service community. Includes useful links, quote of the week, photo of the month, a bulletin board, and classified ads. Family Liaison Office The State Department's nerve center for families. AFSA Home page of the American Foreign Service Association. AFSA is a professional association of the U.S. Foreign Service representing 23,000 active and retired Foreign Service employees. American Diplomacy Issues facing diplomats and government, written largely by former diplomats. Embassy World Search a complete database of embassies and consulates by typing the guest country and host country. For example, find the French Embassy in China or list all Swedish Embassies worldwide. Lists the type, city, and URL of the post. SEFCU (State Department Federal Credit Union) View your account and make transactions online. USAA View and change your auto and property insurance policies online. Review USAA financial services. GEHA Health insurance provider to federal employees and their families through the U.S. Government's FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) program. For GEHA members, this site provides instant access to GEHA, around the clock. Refill prescriptions online. Website includes provider network, member supplies, and customer service. Buy and Ship a Car Overseas Mission and Project Support gives you advice and helps you buy a car and ship it internationally. Specializes in tax-free exports for diplomats and overseas organizations. Clements and Company Information about this well-established insurance company that provides coverage in 160 countries. Provides automobile, personal property, and health insurance to Foreign Service, USAID, Peace Corps, and Expat families. Federal Retirement Programs Office of Personnel Management's tabbed information sheets on FERS, Thrift Savings, and other information. Thrift Savings Plan Access your TSP account, learn about TSP features, use TSP calculators, access forms and publications, and find rates of return. Tax Filing Information for U.S Foreign Service Officers and Spouses Filing information from the IRS on the Foreign earned income exclusion and foreign housing exclusion and deduction, Terrorist or military action, Combat zone participants. when to file, and foreign bank accounts. Per Diem Rates Find out the per diem rate for a foreign or US city for the current or a previous month. Learn about per diem rates. Maximum rates of per diem allowances for travel in foreign areas are established by the Secretary of State and apply to all U.S. Government employees and contractors. Living Costs Abroad, Quarters Allowances, and Hardship Differentials The U.S. Department of State publishes quarterly reports of indexes of living costs abroad, quarters allowances, hardship differentials, and danger pay allowances. Country Profiles: Food Supplies to Bring to Post Region-specific advice on what food and supplies are not available at posts and suggestions on what to bring or ship. J. Kirby Simon Foreign Service Trust Charitable fund with the primary goal of expanding opportunities for professional and community service and the personal well-being of active Foreign Service officers and their families. The Pew Charitable Trusts A Philadelphia-based foundation with approximately $4.7 billion in assets, invested over $213 million in 298 nonprofit organizations in 1998. Issues grants in six program areas: culture, eEducation, environment, health and human services, public policy, and religion. Opportunity International Network A global coalition of organizations dedicated to providing opportunities for people in poverty to transform their lives without regard to race, gender, or religious affiliation. Provides the poor with small and micro business loans, training and financial services that enable them to develop and sustain income-generating and job-creating enterprises. Foreign Affairs Manual and Handbooks and "It's Your Move" Foreign Affairs Manual: Foreign Affairs Manual and Handbooks It's Your Move It's Your Move (Revised March 2001) We suggest that you view the sections you need as listed below (directly viewable in your browser), or, as a backup, download the entire guide in .RTF form that you can read with your browser. The sections include: US Postal Service Check mail rates, regulations, and buy stamps. Buy US Postage Stamps View and buy sheets of stamps on-line (click on the name of the stamp to see it illustrated). State Department US Department of State. Other US Agencies US Federal Government Departments and Agencies. DFAIT Home Page Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Contains travel advice and information. DFAIT Embassies and Missions List of websites for Canadian Embassies and Missions. FCO Home Page Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office home page. Contains travel information and advisories. Votenet An on-line community serving politicians, candidates, and citizens alike: Democrats, Republicans, or any political party; conservatives or liberals; federal, state, or local candidates; presidents, senators, or representatives; Votenet is a place for FREE e-mail and web site. Capitol Watch Delivers the following information to you by e-mail: votes from the floor of the United States Congress -- reported daily. Headlines and summaries of the top political news stories of the day. Links from those summaries to the full news articles. Other Countries' Foreign Service Families Frauen- und Familiendienst im Auswärtigen Amt (FFD) German diplomatic spouse association, active for decades. Sophia Albertina Klubben Association and website for Swedish Foreign Service spouses. The SAK has been active since 1961. UDM Swedish Spouse CVs Network of Swedish spouses offering their expertise to local and foreign companies around the world. Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London News, speeches, travel advice, and British missions. The Diplomatic Service Families Association within the FCO is a thriving organization that helps members in many ways. Their office in London has information about postings abroad, education, welfare, and training. They offer training courses in London that are free to members including retired members and separated and divorced members. They have a databank and lobby group for the Foreign Service Administration. They also publish a magazine twice a year. Diplomatic List Index The Diplomatic List, of missions in the U.S., is prepared quarterly by the U.S. Department of State's Office of Protocol. It contains the names of members of the diplomatic staffs of all missions in Washington, DC and their spouses. Also includes national holidays in other countries and websites and email addresses of missions in the U.S.
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