CHI Au Pair USA

Host Family Qualifications

One of the most important characteristics of an ideal host family is a sincere desire to welcome your au pair into your home as a new member of your family. Including your au pair in family leisure activities and events is a great way to ensure a smooth transition for all parties, and reinforces CHI Au Pair USA's goal of promoting intercultural sharing and exchange.

Other Host Family Requirements Include:

• Host parents are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
• English is the primary language spoken in the home.
• Adequate financial resources to support hosting an au pair for 12 months.
• Completion of a personal interview by a CHI representative.
• Providing character references for a background check.
• Agreeing to the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program regulations.
• Sincere interest in participating in a cultural exchange program and welcoming someone new into your home.
• Living within one hour of a local CHI Au Pair USA Coordinator

The Host Family Provides:

• Private room and meals.
• A stipend of $195.75 ($146.81 for EduCare) paid per week.
• Up to $500 in tuition ($1,000 for EduCare) toward completing the au pair's required program educational component.
• Automobile insurance coverage if the au pair is expected to drive.
• Two weeks paid vacation; one full weekend off per month.

The Host Family Agrees to:

• Schedule no more than 10 hours of childcare per day, and no more than 45 hours per week. If you need less than thirty hours of childcare per week – learn more about the EduCare Program.
• Participate in at least one CHI sponsored Family Day event with the au pair during the year.
• Be available for monthly follow-ups conducted by the CHI Au Pair USA coordinator.

What is the Educational Component?

Au pairs are required to take approved classes at an accredited post-secondary institution. A total of six semester units (12 for EduCare) must be earned to fulfill the mandated educational component of the program.

As a condition for a family to host an au pair in a cultural exchange visitor program, the family is required to:

• 1) Help facilitate the enrollment and attendance in classes at a post-secondary educational institution.
• 2) Ensure that the au pair has adequate transportation to attend classes.
• 3) Pay up to $500 ($1,000 for EduCare) toward the costs of required academic course work. Any additional expenses, above and beyond the $500 ($1,000 for EduCare), associated with acquiring the six (12 for EduCare) academic credits are to be absorbed by the au pair.