Local Support
We have an experienced staff of Global Education Coordinators (GECs) located throughout the U.S. Our GECs and staff are here to support our host families and au pairs throughout the year.
Our GECs have experience working with host families and au pairs. They act as a liaison between the host families and the au pairs and bring cultural enrichment to the families we are working with. From the day your au pair arrives until the completion of the program, the GEC provides support and acts as a resource for both the host family and the au pair.
The GEC will support your family and au pair by:
- Assisting the au pair in choosing appropriate classes at a local college or university
- Connecting your au pair to social events and with other nearby au pairs in the area
- Visiting you and shortly after your au pair arrives
- Keeping in contact during the year at least monthly (more often as needed)
- Organizing local social and cultural events for au pairs
- Mediating issues that may arise in the home between host families and au pairs
- Providing advice and support regarding program administration such as scheduling, holiday, pay and duties.
The U.S. Department of State requires us to have the following contact with our families and au pairs throughout the year.
Initial Contact-48 hour check-in
Once your au pair arrives your local community counselor is required to contact the au pair upon her arrival in the home. The purpose of this initial contact is to support both the host family and the au pair, answer any questions that might come up, and be sure the au pair is beginning to settle-in during these first few days of the au pair’s arrival.
Two-week Orientation visit
The next contact required by the U.S. government is the Two-week Orientation visit. The local community counselor will schedule this meeting in advance as the first 2 weeks can often be a busy time for the host family and au pair. This gives the host family and au pair time to work together to see each other in action, and collect any questions to ask the GEC during the visit.
Monthly Check-in
Monthly check-ins are the third type of contact required. These contacts include phone calls with the host family and meetings or trips to local landmarks and events for the au pair. The meetings are a chance for your au pair to connect with your GEC and are a way for the au pairs to experience cultural events in your community.