Archive for the 'Information for Au Pairs' Category
CCAP on Facebook
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on May 16, 2010
Did you know that you can join us on Facebook? Having Cultural Care in your news feed is a great way to keep up on general program info and see all the latest photos, news and advice from local LCCs.
I would love to see everyone in my group (both host families and au pairs) on our Facebook page, Cultural Care Au Pair Northwest. Click here to join! - Be sure to click on “like” at the top of the page.
Click here to join our National CCAP group - Meet au pairs and host families from all over the US, get helpful tips and program updates.
Click here to join Kids First - Get updates on all the wonderful ways in which CCAP host families, au pairs and staff are helping to improve the lives of kids around the world.
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Checklist for extending Au Pairs
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on April 20, 2010
If you are extending with your same host family:
- Decide whether you would like to extend for 6, 9 or 12 months.
- Fill out the extension application at least 60 days before the end of your first year. You will find the application in your account at www.culturalcare.com.
- Pay the extension fee of $246.
- Remind your host family to fill out their extension application.
- Complete your educational component (72 hours or 6 credits) by the end of your 11th month. If you have not completed your education when you fill out the application, you will need to submit proof that you are registered for classes and will finish by the 11th month deadline.
- Give me your school paperwork so I can verify it and submit it to the Cultural Care office. Acceptable paperwork is a transcript, certificate or letter from your teacher on school stationary.
- Once you’ve done all this, you will receive an email from Cultural Care to let you know your extension paperwork is complete. We then submit your application to the State department.
- Receive your new DS2019 a few days before the start of your extension term.
- Purchase extended insurance (if you want to) before your first year ends.
- Enjoy your extension term!!
If you would like to extend with a new host family:
- Decide whether you would like to extend for 6, 9 or 12 months.
- Fill out the extension application at least 75 days before the end of your first year. You will find the application in your account at www.culturalcare.com.
- Pay the extension fee of $246.
- Complete your educational component (72 hours or 6 credits) by the end of your 11th month. If you have not completed your education when you fill out the application, you will need to submit proof that you are registered for classes and will finish by the 11th month deadline.
- Give me your school paperwork so I can verify it and submit it to the Cultural Care office. Acceptable paperwork is a transcript, certificate or letter from your teacher on school stationary.
- Once you’ve done all this, you will receive an email from Cultural Care to let you know your extension paperwork is complete. We then submit your application to the State department.
- Begin matching with new families.
- Final with your new host family.
- Receive your flight information and your new DS2019 a few days before the start of your extension term.
- Purchase extended insurance (if you want to) before your first year ends.
- Enjoy your extension term!!
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New Talk Time Session Begins this Week
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on March 31, 2010
Talk Time is offered by the Seattle Public Library. It is a free ESL (English as a Second Language) conversation group - a great opportunity for au pairs to practice speaking English in a relaxed, friendly setting. (Note that this does not count towards your educational component.)
For more information, call 206-386-4649 or 206-684-0849.
Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
206-684-0849
Mondays, April 5 - June 7
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 7 - June 9
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Beacon Hill Branch
2821 Beacon Ave. S.
206-684-4711
Saturdays, April 10 - June 12
10:30 a.m. - noon
Lake City Branch
12501 28th Ave. N.E.
(206) 684-7518
Tuesdays, April 6 - June 8
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Education Deadlines for Extending Au Pairs
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on February 25, 2010
For those au pairs who arrived last summer and fall:
If you are interested in extending, it is very important to remember that your educational component must be completed by the end of your 11th month.
Here is a list of upcoming deadlines. The first date is your arrival date to au pair school; The second is the date your education must be completed by if you want to extend:
ARRIVAL————————- DEADLINE
Mon, May 04, 2009 Thursday, April 01, 2010
Mon, May 11, 2009 Thursday, April 08, 2010
Mon, May 18, 2009 Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tue, May 26, 2009 Thursday, April 22, 2010
Mon, Jun 01, 2009 Thursday, April 29, 2010
Mon, Jun 08, 2009 Thursday, May 06, 2010
Mon, Jun 15, 2009 Thursday, May 13, 2010
Mon, Jun 22, 2009 Thursday, May 20, 2010
Mon, Jun 29, 2009 Thursday, May 27, 2010
Mon, Jul 06, 2009 Thursday, June 03, 2010
Mon, Jul 13, 2009 Thursday, June 10, 2010
Mon, Jul 20, 2009 Thursday, June 17, 2010
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 Thursday, June 24, 2010
Mon, Aug 03, 2009 Thursday, July 01, 2010
Mon, Aug 10, 2009 Thursday, July 08, 2010
Mon, Aug 17, 2009 Thursday, July 15, 2010
Mon, Aug 24, 2009 Thursday, July 22, 2010
Mon, Aug 31, 2009 Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tue, Sep 08, 2009 Thursday, August 05, 2010
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 Thursday, August 12, 2010
Mon, Sep 21, 2009 Thursday, August 19, 2010
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 Thursday, September 2, 2010
Mon, Oct 12, 2009 Thursday, September 9, 2010
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 Thursday, September 16, 2010
Mon, Oct 26, 2009 Thursday, September 23, 2010
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Travel Guidelines for Au Pairs
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on February 24, 2010
This information is for first year au pairs only!!
If you are an extension au pair and are thinking of traveling outside the US, call me so I can review the second year travel restrictions with you.
- You must always check if you need a tourist visa for any country you are visiting. The visa regulations are different for all countries and all nationalities, so it is important that you check with each country you are going to visit to see if you need a tourist visa. For example, many au pairs need visas to go to Canada and Mexico.
- Travel to Canada: please follow this link to find out if you need a tourist visa: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp.
- Travel to Mexico: please follow this link to find out if you need a tourist visa: National Institute of Immigration Mexico
- For all other countries, please visit www.embassyworld.com for a listing of embassies for all countries. If you travel without the appropriate documents, such as a tourist visa, you may be prohibited from boarding the plane and/or denied entry into the country.
- You must check the expiration date on your J-1 visa, located in your passport. The dates on the visa do not always correspond to the dates of your au pair program. Your travel outside the USA is restricted by the dates on your visa.
- Cultural Care does not recommend traveling outside the US during the last two months before your visa expiration date, as you run a higher risk of being denied re-entry into the US after your trip.
- Send your DS-2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility), along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Cultural Care Au Pair,
Attn. Travel Validation, EF Center
One Education Street
Cambridge, MA 02141
Allow 3 weeks for your form to be returned.
Please note that any au pair traveling outside of the US without a signed DS-2019 form runs this risk of being denied re-entry into the country.
If you have specific questions about travel plans or documents, call Cultural Care’s Operations Department at 800-448 5753.
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Register for Spring Quarter Classes
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on February 18, 2010
Au pairs: It is time to be thinking about the classes you want to take this Spring!
There are lots of fun options available. You could take Bellydancing, learn how to Kayak, or sing in a Community Choir (all at South Seattle Community College.) Or, you could learn Glassblowing, Rowing or Hip Hop dance (at Seattle Central Community College.) Take a new language, do a little cooking, discover photography … Explore your options, then get out there and have some fun!
Online registration for non-credit classes has already begun. Click on a school on the sidebar to the right ——-> under “Au Pair Education” to find non-credit classes.
Registration for credit classes begins on February 22nd. If you plan to enroll in credit classes, you first must apply to the school to become a student. Ask your host parents, or call/email me if you need help with this.
Remember that I need to see your paperwork once you have completed a class.
IMPORTANT: If you arrived last summer and are thinking of extending for a second year, contact me as soon as possible. I will give you the deadline by which you need to have your school credits completed in order to extend.
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New ESL Classes
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on February 17, 2010
Lake Washington Technical College is now offering ESL classes
specifically for au pairs!
Comprehensive English
This class has been designed with the specific needs of the Au Pair in mind. It is inclusive of all skills: reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, conversation, and pronunciation. This class will meet for 33 hours over the course of one quarter.
Days: Tuesday/Wednesday evenings from April 6-June 16
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Place: The main Kirkland campus.
Cost: $325
Everyday English
This class will include: use, structure, conversation, pronunciation, slang, idioms other colloquial phrases. This class will meet 20 hours over the course of one quarter.
Days: Saturdays from April 10-June 19th (no class on May 29th.)
Time: 10:00 am-noon
Place: The Redmond campus.
Cost: $225
For registration information, see the website:
http://www.lwtc.edu/Admission/International_Programs/Au_Pair_Classes.xml
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New “Talk Time” Session Begins next Week
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on January 15, 2010
Talk Time is offered by the Seattle Public Library. It is a free ESL (English as a Second Language) conversation group - a great opportunity for au pairs to practice speaking English in a relaxed, friendly setting. (Note that this does not count towards your educational component.)
For more information, call 206-386-4649 or 206-684-0849.
Central Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
206-684-0849
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Jan. 25 - Mar. 15
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Jan. 20 - Mar. 17
Beacon Hill Branch
2821 Beacon Ave. S.
206-684-4711
10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays
Jan. 23 - Mar. 20
Lake City Branch
12501 28th Ave. N.E.
(206) 684-7518
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Jan. 19 - Mar. 16
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New “Talk Time” Session Begins Next Week
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on September 19, 2009
Talk Time is offered by the Seattle Public Library. It is a free ESL (English as a Second Language) conversation group - a great opportunity for au pairs to practice speaking English in a relaxed, friendly setting. (Note that this does not count towards your educational component.)
The Fall session begins September 21st. Hours and locations are:
Central Library (Downtown Seattle)
1000 Fourth Ave.
206-684-0849
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays
Sept. 21 - Dec. 7
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Sept. 23 - Dec. 9
Beacon Hill Library
2821 Beacon Ave. S.
206-684-4711
10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays
Sept. 26 - Dec. 12
Lake City Library
12501 28th Ave. N.E.
(206) 684-7518
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays
Sept. 22 - Dec. 8
For more information, see the library’s ESL website or call 206-386-4148 or 206-684-0849.
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Keep Those Important Forms in a Safe Place!
No Comment |Posted by: klonergan on August 15, 2009
A reminder to au pairs: Do not carry your important forms (your passport, DS 2019, I-94, Social Security card) around with you. Replacing them is challenging and can be expensive, plus your travel can be restricted for the remainder of your year - it is not worth the risk!
Carry your Washington State Driver’s License or Washington State ID card for identification. Leave the rest of your forms in a safe place in your home.
If you do lose any of these forms during your year, here is some information on obtaining replacements:
DS-2019: If you lose this form, contact the Operations department at Cultural Care Au Pair (800-448-5753) and a new form will be printed and mailed to you.
I-94: You can obtain a replacement by filing form I-102, which is available on the US Customs and Immigration Website (www.uscis.gov), under Immigration Forms. The fee to replace the I-94 is $320. (!!!)
Social Security Card: Fill out a new application (available from www.ssa.gov) and bring it to your nearest Social Security office along with your I-94 and DS-2019.
Passport: The first step to replace a passport is to contact the embassy for your home country and apply for a replacement passport. To find the nearest embassy, check the following website: www.embassyworld.com Fees will vary depending on the country. Remember that if the passport is lost, your J-1 visa is also lost, as is your I-94 form. The J-1 visa cannot be replaced in the US; you would have to travel to your home country and replace it at the US embassy there. Travel outside of the US and re-entry is prohibited if the passport and its contents are lost and no replacements have been obtained. If you do lose your passport, you should contact the Operations department immediately for further details and instructions (800-448-5753).
So, Remember: Keep those documents safe!
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