Nacel Open Door Annual Board Meeting

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The U.S. Department of State Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs - Youth Programs
Division presents Freedom Support Act (FSA) --
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)

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Fast FLEX Facts

• Established in 1992, to build bridges of
  understanding promote cultural awareness
  between U.S. and the newly independent states of
  the former Soviet Union
• Primary goal Provide an opportunity for high
  school students from Eurasia to experience life
  in a democratic society in order to promote
  democratic values and institutions in Eurasia
• Countries served Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
  Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia,
  Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
• Full Scholarship Program, based on merit, not
  financial need
• Grant program run by DoS in cooperation with
  American Councils and placement organizations,
  like Nacel Open Door
• Active and extensive alumni association

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What is Special About FLEX?

• Foreign Partner American Councils (in DC) and
  their
• in-country hubs. They provide student apps,
  communication with natural parents (including
  placement notification), and arrange student
  arrival departure travel (in groups by country)
• Official Program Sponsor (issues DS-2019 forms)
  U.S. Dept of State
• Nacel Open Door applies annually for grant to
  place FLEX students 80 students this year
• Full Scholarship no spending money allowances
  and stipend monies instead
• Enhancement Activities special requirements to
  ensure program goals are being met for student
  participants must place students in clusters
  of 3 or more students to ensure activities are
  done and done cost-effectively

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Logistics of Placing a FLEX Student Basic
Tenents

• Host Families receive Incidentals Allowance to
  cover expenses relative to students getting
  settled in the host home (toiletries), ready for
  school (clothes, school supplies), as well as
  various school fees (yearbooks). Receipts must
  be kept and submitted for the entire amount
  (300).
• Students receive Monthly Stipend checks, since
  many would not be in a position to bring
  sufficient spending money, in order to afford
  personal items and social activities. No receipts
  need to be submitted. (125/month)
• Enhancement Activities and Allowance 300
  allowed per FLEX student to cover at least three
  (3) activities which reinforce the objectives of
  the program. Coordinators must submit a written
  proposal of activities with request for monies,
  as well as receipts for entire amount of
  allowance.

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Logistics of Placing a FLEX Student Basic
Tenents cont.

• Orientations Pre-Departure orientation for
  students in home country Pre-Arrival orientation
  for host families Local Post-Arrival orientation
  for students mid session orientation for
  students (Jan-Feb) Pre-Departure (re-entry)
  orientation for students.
• Independent Travel or Travel in General same as
  those for regular NOD students. Exception is any
  international travel instead of DoS signing
  DS-2019 form, FLEX students are issued a general
  letter of permission
• Medical Dental Funds May be additional FLEX
  grant funds to assist with or cover FLEX student
  medical and/or dental expenses that are NOT
  covered by NODs AIG insurance
• Community Volunteer Service Project gt30 hours
  of volunteer project to be completed by each FLEX
  student must submit logs to summarize their
  experience
• FLEX Project combination of community service
  and enhancement activities

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Logistics of Placing a FLEX Student Basic
Tenents cont.

• International Education Week (IEW) FLEX
  students are required to provide classroom or
  school presentations during IEW (mid-November
  www.iwe.state.gov). Documentation must be sent to
  Sandy.
• Civic Education Workshop in DC essay
  competition to spend week with Close-Up
  Foundation in DC
• Technology Ambassadors Program Computer
  Training of Trainers Workshop for FLEX Students
  (FLEX CTT (www.projectharmony.org/flexctt) FLEX
  students are recommended by NOD coord/rep based
  on students interest, knowledge, and willingness
  to teach others in their home country upon their
  return at the end of their exchange experience.
• Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) Students are
  strongly encouraged to actively participate
  across the US, joining with fellow volunteers
  around the world.

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Nacel Open DoorFreedom Support Act (FSA)
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX)

• QUESTIONS?
• Any questions about the FLEX program or any
  questions or concerns about FLEX students should
  be directed to your State Coordinator and/or
  Local Representative.
• Or you may contact the Nacel Open Door Deputy
  Director of the FLEX program, Sandra Morgan, at
• Nacel Open Door, Inc.
• Sandra Morgan, M.A., LP
• 2307 West 12th Street
• Duluth, MN 55806
• MnNacel_at_aol.com
• 1-888-722-6155 (Office)
• 1-218-722-0759 (Fax)