Useful Links for Diplomatic Families

Support

The MOH Network A support and discussion group for all U.S. Foreign Service Members of Household (MOH) and their partners/sponsors. A MOH is anyone accompanying a Foreign Service Officer to post but not mentioned on the officer's orders, including parents, partners (opposite or same sex) and children over age 21.

Global Strategic Solutions Pensions, insurance and investments for expatriates world wide. As an Independent Broker we are agents for some of the largest and most respected insurance groups from Britain and the British isles. Royal Skandia, Hansard, Friends Provident, Scottish Provident, Tunbridge Wells, ect. Through these groups we have access to the worlds most prestigious fund management groups with a tradition of successful selection and growth in offshore international markets. Contact Clyde Graham at info@strategic-solutions.de for additional information.

Transition Center/Overseas Briefing Center The Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) is a vital resource and referral facility that provides all U.S. Government employees and their families en route to, or considering, an overseas assignment the opportunity to browse through abundant materials on overseas posts and on the foreign affairs lifestyle. These materials include country briefing boxes containing post-specific information, cultural guides and cross-cultural reference books, and a returnee file of local contacts.

Abroadview   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. Click on link to subscribe.

Spousesview: An e-mail group for Expat spouses to find mutual support and connection. Click on link to subscribe.

Livelines   An email discussion group for U.S. Foreign Service family members around the world to compare notes. This forum is restricted to members of the U.S. Foreign Service community. You must be a U.S. Foreign Service officer or a family member to join. Retired FSOs and their families are also eligible. You may also be eligible if you have passed the oral exam and are waiting for appointment to the Foreign Service.

Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide  AAFSW is a non-profit organization representing Foreign Service spouses, employees, and retirees since 1960.  Its website is a primary resource for the American diplomatic community, featuring articles and advice for Foreign Service family members, special sections on living overseas and in the Washington, DC area, a Foreign Service Reading List, and information on AAFSW membership and activities.  If you are a member of the American Foreign Service community, be sure to check out Livelines, AAFSW's Foreign Service-only email discussion group with over 1,200 active members.

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.

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. Includes considerable material on life in the Foreign Service and on U.S. diplomatic infrastructure and reform in addition to essays on policy matters.

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.

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Financial Resources

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.

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 -- see our Tax page.

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.

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Funding Sources

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.

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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,. The sections include:

• The OUTBOUND Section provides an overview of transportation (shipping and storage of your goods) and travel rules. It covers your entitlements and responsibilities when leaving for post, either from the U.S. or on direct transfer.

• The INBOUND Section covers the other side of the coin, making specific suggestions about what to do on arrival at your next post, with specific information on transfers to the United States.

• The ANYWHERE YOU WANDER Section deals with issues common to both outbound and inbound shipments. This section gives more information about insurance, claims, inventories, cost-construction, and other issues.

• The PROBLEMS, INFO, DO'S & DON'TS Section provides several information sheets dealing with 1) problems and contact phone numbers, 2) shipping via pouch, 3) contract entitlements, 4) controlled storage companies, 5) insurance companies, 6) air baggage do's and don'ts, 7) firearms and 8) hazardous items.

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Government Agencies

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.

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Political Arena

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.

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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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