Santa Ynez Valley Resident Helps Launch New Au Pair Program

March 8, 2011 - PRLog -- (Bellingham, Wa. – March 8, 2011) – Robin Hoj, an active member of the Santa Ynez parenting community and mother of two, has joined The International Au Pair Exchange (TIAPE) team as a Local Exchange Coordinator (LEC).  Recently designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer the au pair program, TIAPE places carefully screened au pairs between the ages of 18 and 26 from foreign countries with qualified host families in California, Oregon, and Washington.  LECs provide continuous support to both au pairs and host families in their areas and help them to maximize their program experience.

“As a busy mother of two young children, I understand the difficulty in finding quality childcare that is both flexible and affordable. I truly believe that the au pair program is the childcare solution that many families are looking for and I am very excited to bring such a great opportunity to the parenting community of the greater Santa Barbara area” said Hoj.

Hoj is not the only Santa Ynez Valley resident actively involved in the au pair program administered by TIAPE. The company’s director, Lawrence Mason attended Santa Ynez High School and graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). “I am thrilled to welcome Robin to our network of Local Exchange Coordinators and I am pleased to be able to offer our au pair program to the residents of a community with such close personal ties” said Mason.

Through TIAPE’s au pair program, au pairs provide up to 45 hours of childcare per week while living with a host family for a minimum of 12 months.  During this time, au pairs complete six semester hours of academic credit and receive an education stipend.  In addition to the education stipend, host families are responsible for paying a weekly stipend and providing room and board.  The average weekly cost to participate in the program, including the stipend and most program-related fees, is under $350, which is less expensive than many other childcare options for two or more children.  
 
Families who choose to host an au pair not only benefit from the valuable cultural enrichment opportunities, but also from the ability to have more quality time with their family, more control over their childcare, and more personalized care for their children.  Plus, families and au pairs who participate in the au pair program have dedicated, year-round program support from the TIAPE headquarters staff and their LEC.  Upon arrival to the United States, au pairs participate in a four-day orientation and training, which includes infant and child CPR with first aid, child development and care, and guidance on adjusting to life and customs in the U.S.    

About TIAPE
The International Au Pair Exchange is an operating series of Member Synergy, LLC and designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.  In cooperation with partner organizations around the world, TIAPE carefully screens and matches qualified au pairs with host families in California, Oregon, and Washington.  TIAPE’s mission is to provide parents with access to a unique childcare option that meets the specific needs of each family, delivers the unsurpassed personal attention that every parent wants for their children, and is truly affordable in comparison to other typical childcare options.  We are “Connecting the World, One Family at a Time.”

To learn more about TIAPE’s au pair cultural exchange program, please visit www.tiape.org or call 360.483.4594.

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Our mission is to create life-enriching opportunities by combining cultural exchange with quality, flexible, and affordable childcare. As a federally designated program, TIAPE places carefully screened au pairs with host families in WA, OR and CA.