The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2005

mization and morale maximization are limited only by one’s imagination: • Standardize the clearance pro- cess across agencies abroad, allowing an individual to bring their clearance with them from job to job, and (more importantly) from post to post, pro- viding for regular updates. • Standardize the hiring mecha- nisms across agencies abroad to fol- low the department’s Family Mem- ber Associate standard, so that all EFMs can enjoy a benefits package that grows and are not forced to start from scratch with every move. • Standardize DS clearance poli- cies across missions, to end the cur- rent patchwork arrangement where some posts allow liberal use of tem- porary at-post clearances, pending receipt of central DS clearances, while others refuse to hire EFMs until the full clearance process is completed (placing them in limbo for months at a time). In the final analysis, taking even some of these steps would save the department significant money. The Secretary’s Diplomatic Readi- ness Initiative provides a welcome filling of persistent staffing gaps throughout the system. A comple- mentary initiative might be crafted to maximize the value gained from encouraging a corps of dedicated EFMs, while also allowing the U.S. government to benefit even more from their contributions. Such recent innovations as hiring EFMs as Consular Associates and FMAs help; but more can — and should — be done. The costs would be lit- tle, while the potential benefits are great.  Scott Danaher entered the Foreign Service in 1979 and has served in Latin America, Africa and Asia. He is currently deputy director of the Narcotics Affairs Section in Embassy La Paz. 16 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 5 S P E A K I N G O U T u A time of service…a time of need Help for Seniors May Be Just a Phone Call Away— Home Health Care Adult Day Care & Respite Care Prescription Drug Copayments Transportation to Medical Appointments Durable Medical Equipment For more information, please contact the SENIOR LIVING FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE 1716 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-2902 Phone: (202) 887-8170 Fax: (202) 872-9320 E-Mail: info@slfoundation.org W eb Site: www.slfoundation.org The Senior Living Foundation may be able to help you or someone you know. Some examples of assistance are: SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION