Host Family Responsibilities and Screening

Host Family Responsibilities

The host family must have a suitable private bedroom for the au pair. Also, the host family must treat the au pair as a member of the family and provide opportunities to participate in cultural activities. Every host family is interviewed and screened in their home by a local representative. The family must also:

Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Speak primarily English in the home
Agree to comply with U.S. Department of State regulations concerning the Au Pair Program
Agree to honor the Host Family Agreement
Pay $157.95 to the au pair each week
Agree to facilitate an open line of communication with the local community counselor
Ensure the enrollment and attendance of the au pair at a U.S. post-secondary educational institution for six semester hours of academic coursework or its equivalent and contribute up to $500 toward this requirement
Agree to give the au pair 1 ½ days off per week, at least one full weekend off each month and 2 weeks paid vacation per year at a mutually agreeable time
Agree that the au pair does not work more than 45 hours a week (or 10 hours a day)

Agent Au Pair carefully screens each host family to be sure they are genuinely interested in a cultural exchange, financially and socially responsible, and open to contributing to showing you the best year in America. You are matched with host families who share your interests and you have the final say as to which family you will spend your year with.

Host Family Screening includes:

Background and reference checks
An in-home interview with all family members
In-depth inspection of the au pair living quarters
Detailed analysis of the neighborhood and community
Employment verification and financial stability
In-home orientation confirming the rules and regulations of the program