New American Au Pair Program Offers Families an Affordable Live-in Childcare Solution
NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Agent Au Pair, Inc., a US Department of State Designated J-1 Visa Au Pair Program has launched an American Au Pair Program in response to the recent executive order on immigration.
The executive order was announced on June 22, 2020 by President Trump. It is estimated that 525,000 foreign workers will be prohibited from entering the United States through December 31, 2020. The order suspended H-1B, H-2B, L, the issuance of new green cards and several J-1 visa categories, including the J-1 Visa Au Pair Program.
Many of Agent Au Pair's host families had au pairs due to arrive in the United States in the summer and fall of 2020 when the executive order disrupted their childcare plans. In response, Agent Au Pair has launched an American Au Pair program to provide families across the nation with a reliable domestic sourced live-in childcare solution while the J-1 visa travel ban is in effect and beyond.
"In literally two weeks, Agent Au Pair overcame adversity and launched an entirely new program, which I truly believe is a comprehensive solution for families throughout the U.S.," stated Lacey Romie, a host family from Moorhead, Minnesota who had an au pair scheduled to arrive in October.
The American Au Pair Program provides families with a flexible and reliable live-in childcare solution. The program is modeled upon the highly successful US Department of State J-1 Visa Au Pair Program, which has benefited hundreds of thousands of American families since 1986. American Au Pairs are between the ages of 18-26 and assist their host family with childcare and household related activities including schoolwork. The program includes careful screening of both au pairs and host families and includes 24x7x365 support to both parties to ensure a successful partnership.
Participating au pairs must complete a training program in child development, child safety with CPR and emergency situation training. Au pairs also receive exclusive training developed by leading educators to provide their host family's children with schoolwork assistance.
"Agent Au pair has seen a significant increase in host family demand as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the workplace forcing increasing numbers of parents to work from home and care for their children while schools were closed," stated Michael N. DiMauro, Agent Au Pair's CEO.
American Au Pairs receive exclusive training to support their host family's children's homeschooling efforts. The TutorCare Program includes access to our Homework Hotline which au pairs can call to receive support from certified teachers for assistance with host children schoolwork. Subscribers to this service will receive 5 hours of schoolwork support per month.
"We developed this program as an affordable solution for American families to work effectively from home, while their au pair provides their children with schoolwork assistance," stated DiMauro.
The average weekly cost for the American Au Pair Program is approximately $540. Host families must provide their au pair with at least $10 per hour for childcare and related activities, as American candidates are employed by their host family. If the host family lives in an area with a local minimum wage higher than $10, the family is required to pay the required hourly rate in their area. If an au pair provides duties that exceed 40 hours per week, the host family will be required to provide compensation based upon local overtime regulations.
"I like the ability to customize the au pair contract for 3,6,9 or 12 months and visa situation aside, this new program combines the concept of a nanny service with the traditional Au Pair Program benefits. We love the idea of having a childcare provider from another part of the US become a member of our family, and we have full intention to continue as an Agent Au Pair host family," stated Romie.
To learn more about American Au Pair Program, please visit: https://www.americanaupair.com or call +1 (415) 376-0202.
About Agent Au Pair
Agent Au Pair is a U.S. Department of State Designated Au Pair Program that promotes educational and cultural exchange between nations through our inter-cultural au pair program. The Au Pair Program is a unique live-in childcare option which emphasizes dependable, flexible, and affordable care while providing exceptional benefits for children and families who build lasting relationships with young people from around the world. Agent Au Pair has been serving host families and au pairs since 2003. Learn more at https://www.agentaupair.com/
Media Contact:
Kevin Morgan
+1 (917) 319-3216
SOURCE Agent Au Pair, Inc.
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