Tracy & Rob Cota

Au pair stipend increases to $195.75

Posted by: tcota on July 23, 2009

The current weekly au pair stipend is $195.75 per week. The calculation used to determine the au pair stipend amount is a combination of the federal minimum wage as well as a room and board allowance.  The exact calculation used to determine the weekly stipend is as follows:

Minimum wage amount x 45 hours - 40% (room and board allowance) = au pair stipend amount

On May 24^th, 2007, Congress approved the first increase in the federal minimum wage in nearly a decade.  In July of 2009, the third and final increase to the minimum wage changed the stipend to $195.75 where it will remain until further notice.   

All Cultural Care Au Pair literature and agreements stipulate that host families comply with all regulations, therefore, adherence to these changes is required of all program participants.      

Changes in visa travel requirements to Canada

Posted by: tcota on July 16, 2009

We would like to inform you of a change in visa requirements for Mexican and Czech citizens when traveling to Canada , which was released by Canadian Citizenship and Immigration officials on July 13, 2009.

Starting July 14, 2009, all Mexican and Czech citizens require a tourist visa in order to travel to Canada .

Taken from the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration News Release: “This change means that nationals from Mexico and the Czech Republic who want to travel to Canada , will first need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa and meet the requirements to receive one. It is up to the applicant to satisfy the visa officer their visit to Canada is temporary, they will not overstay their approved time in Canada, they have enough money to cover their stay in Canada, they are in good health, they do not have a criminal record, and are not a security risk to Canadians. These requirements are the same for anyone who wants to visit Canada .”

For more information on these new regulations please read the complete News Release on the Citizen and Immigration Canada website. For a complete list of countries needing a tourist visa to enter Canada as well as information on how to apply for a visa, please follow this link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

For general information on what your au pair needs to do if she/he is planning to travel outside the US, please read more on Infosource on your Cultural Care online account.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail or call us at 800-333-6056. Your au pair has also received this information in form of an e-mail.

Kind regards,

Cultural Care Au Pair

Does your au pair know your earthquake plan?

Posted by: tcota on July 2, 2009

Did you feel any of the earthquakes that rocked Southern California over the last month? With all the seismic activity in California, it’s a good idea to discuss the safest rooms in your home, and the safest place in each room, even if it’s someone who is just coming over to watch your children for an evening. 

The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends creating an earthquake or emergency plan with your family, and practicing it so that you are better prepared to respond to danger. If you have an au pair, it’s important to discuss your plan with he or she as well. In addition, you should learn the emergency plan for your children’s school, daycare or preschool.

The following is a list of key items that should be part of the emergency plan recommended by the CDC. Be sure to discuss these with your au pair as well:

What is your home evacuation plan?

Sketch a floor plan of your home; walk through each room and discuss evacuation details.

Plan a second way to exit from each room or area, if possible.

If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.

Emergency supplies

Mark where your emergency food, water, first aid kits and fire extinguishers are located.

Utility shut-off locations

Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if necessary.

Where will you reunite if you are not together as a family?

Telephone service may restored long distance sooner than locally. Be sure to include an out-of-state phone number on your emergency contact list.

Know the location of the nearest police and/or fire station

Your au pair needs to know where they are located should she need to seek out help during an emergency plan.

For more information on creating an earthquake or emergency preparedness plan, visit the following links:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/prepared.asp

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/preparedness.php

http://www.fema.gov/kids/tch_eq.htm