Au Pair in America

Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2011

Media Contact:

Mike Liberty
Au Pair in America
(203) 399-5187
mliberty@aifs.com
www.aupairinamerica.com

We bring the world together.

U.S. Au Pair Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary on June 9
- Founding Agency Hosts Celebration at U.S. Department of State -

STAMFORD, CT - June 9, 2011 - To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the United States' au pair program, Au Pair in America, the nation's first and most experienced au pair organization, and the U.S. Department of State, are hosting an anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, June 9 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

The event, which will be held in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the U.S. Department of State, will feature guest speakers Ann Stock, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and former Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd. Also in attendance will be numerous elected U.S. Government officials, representatives from the U.S. Department of State and Au Pair in America staff, host families and au pairs.

"We are proud to share this special milestone and host the anniversary celebration with the U.S. Department of State," states William L. Gertz, President and CEO of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), the parent company of Au Pair in America. "We are looking forward to another 25 years of 'bringing the world together' while providing exceptional child care for American families."

Founded in 1986, the U.S. Department of State's au pair program allows 18 to 26-year-old international visitors who travel to the U.S. on a J-1 Visitor Exchange Visa to acquire a better understanding and appreciation of American life while living with an American family and caring for their young children.

"Au Pair in America gave this program its foundation to build to where it is today," states Stanley S. Colvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Private Sector Exchange, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. "Au Pair in America is one of the founding members that introduced the model, advocated for it and established it."

The United States Information Agency (USIA) designated the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS) Scholarship Foundation as one of two sponsors of an au pair program for a two-year trial period beginning in 1986. AIFS then launched Au Pair in America which has served as the definitive au pair program in the U.S. for the last 25 years, helping set U.S. program regulations as well as placing more than 87,000 au pairs in the homes of American families.

Au Pair in America matches potential au pairs that meet the different criteria posed by host families. Both au pairs and families complete a thorough application and matching process to ensure the best situation for all parties.

To learn more about the program, contact Au Pair in America at (800) 928-7247 or visit them on the web at www.aupairinamerica.com.

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The nation’s first and most experienced au pair program, Au Pair in America combines live-in child care and cultural exchange for a mutually rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. Since 1986, they have placed more than 87,000 au pairs in 43 states. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Au Pair in America, a division of the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), maintains offices in 5 countries and has a network of more than 600 employees worldwide.