Concerns raised over proposed State Department
Regulations that could make participating in the au pair program
more costly for many American families
WASHINGTON, July 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Families for
Cultural Exchange (AFCE), a coalition working to champion the
continued healthy growth of the federally regulated au pair
program, recently released new findings derived from a review of
ongoing online conversations around the au pair program and
concerns regarding proposed regulations by the U.S. Department of
State that could make this childcare option more costly for many
families. The survey, supported by Cultural Care Au Pair, analyzed
data and findings from the ongoing online conversation between
May 2023 to May 2024.
Key findings include:
- The top reasons host families chose the au pair program were
cultural exchange and affordability. Cultural exchange was the
primary reason host families chose or considered au pair programs,
generating 22% more mentions than affordability, the next leading
factor families cited in their online au pair considerations from
the past year. Other factors include the flexibility the program
provides and support in the home beyond childcare.
- Families are concerned about the impact of the proposed
regulations targeting the au pair program. Online criticism of
the proposed State Department regulations fell into three buckets,
namely that program costs will increase, that au pairs will be seen
as employees – diminishing cultural exchange – and that working
mothers will be disproportionately impacted.
- Host families do not favor the proposed regulations.
Over the past year, only 5% of online posts were written in support
of the regulations.
The longstanding federal au pair program offers a unique,
flexible, and affordable childcare option for those with
unpredictable work schedules while also providing enriching
cultural exchange opportunities for families and au pairs. However,
proposed regulations from the Department of State could increase
the cost of hosting an au pair by up to 3x in some states, pricing
many out of the program. In other states, au pairs' weekly stipend
would decrease, making those locations less desirable for au pairs
and leaving local families stripped of a valuable cultural exchange
opportunity. The regulations would also create new reporting
requirements, including tracking au pair meals, receiving agency
approval for minor schedule changes, and more – increasing the
administrative and financial burden on host families.
"These findings echo the concerns voiced in the over 10,000
written comments submitted to the State Department following the
proposed regulations to the au pair program," said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at
Cultural Care Au Pair. "American families value the au pair
program for its enriching cultural exchange and affordability,
underscoring the need for careful consideration by the State
Department to preserve the essence and accessibility of this
cherished program. We thank champions of the program in Congress
like Senators Jeanne Shaheen and
Thom Tillis for raising concerns
about the proposed regulations and urge other members of Congress
to follow in their footsteps."
About AFCE
American Families for Cultural Exchange is a coalition led by
Cultural Care Au Pair, an official sponsor of the U.S. State
Department-regulated au pair program for over 30 years, which
champions the federal program that bridges cultural divides by
offering immersive and enriching exchange experiences to families
across the U.S. and citizens of other countries.
About Cultural Care Au Pair
Cultural Care Au Pair is an official sponsor of the U.S.
State Department-regulated au pair program for over 30 years, and
has placed more than 145,000 au pairs in the homes of American host
families, creating memories and cross-cultural connections that
last a lifetime. Their vision is to build a community of global
families with the power to change the world through greater
understanding.
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SOURCE American Families for Cultural Exchange