Author Archives: Ginny Costigan

Driving-Do you have your state driver's license?

Links to the Department of Motor Vehicles for all states can be found here.

http://aupairinamerica.com/state/index.asp

A US driver’s license is a requirement in some states and it makes a great souvenir!
Illinois does not accept the International Driving Permit.  Once you have your Social Security card, your next adventure is to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles closest to you.

~Drivers moving to Illinois may use their valid driver’s license from their home state or country for 90 days.  There are two parts to getting an Illinois drivers license.  The written test and a road test.  If you are from Germany or France you do not need to take the tests, call your community counselor to get details of what you need to do.  If you have a car accident, you can be asked to pay a deductible of up to $500.  Parking tickets are expensive and are you pay for them, so pay attention to parking restrictions.

Bring your DS 2019, passport, Social Security card, two pieces of mail showing your  address (use the envelope with your Social Security card and mail yourself a letter) driver’s license from your home country and all papers you have received from APIA that have your name on them.

Winter Sports & Insurance

Winter is upon us here in Chicago, and some of you may be lured downtown to Millenieum Park to go Ice Skating.   You need special insurance to cover you in case you injure yourself while Ice Skating or doing any number of sports ( see partial list below) .  If you do not have the Sports insurance and get injured doing one of these sports, insurance will NOT pay the hospital bill, you will be responsible for it.  If you do not know what type of insurance you have, call your counselor and she can tell you.

ice-skate-224x300
The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for the remainder of the year. The cost will be the same whether you have one month left or your whole year ahead of you.   Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating, Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing.

AAA Driving Course

Au Pair in America has partnered with AAA, the nation’s most trusted name in driver safety and instruction to offer a custom classroom course specifically designed for au pairs. Exclusive to Au Pair in America, the AAA driving course is one of a kind, tailored to the needs of the international driver and specific to the safety needs of driving children in a car.AAA[1]

Cultural Fair & Chicago Wolves Hockey

APIA pic

On Sunday, April 10, Au Pair in America, the nation’s first and largest au pair provider, will host a Cultural Fair at the Chicago Wolves Hockey game in the North Lobby at Allstate Arena from 2pm to 5pm.

Organized by the community counselors from the greater Chicagoland area, the fair provides a great opportunity for families who are looking for child care to learn more about the program. Au Pair in America host families and their au pairs will be in attendance along with Au Pair in America staff to answer questions.

Tickets to the Chicago Wolves game are available at the box office, or for current host families with their community counselor. Current Au Pair in America host families and au pairs will be sitting in section 210, rows C through G if you would like to purchase tickets near this area.

The Cultural Fair is being held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of both Au Pair in America and the U.S. Department of State’s legal au pair program – both established in 1986.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade & River Dyeing Saturday March 12th

 Schedule of Events

Dyeing the Chicago River: 10:45am

It is  best viewed from the east side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

 

 Downtown Chicago Parade: 12:00 noon

The parade starts at Balbo and Columbus and proceeds north on Columbus Drive to Monroe.

 

Taking Public Transportation  is Highly Recommended!

Au Pair Health and Insurance

Avoid the ER and save some money.  For au pairs arriving in 2009 and after there is an additional ER deductible of $250.  **Note there are several plans with differing deductibles.  Visit http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance_3.asp for full details. 

If you get sick, your best option is to visit a walk-in clinic or Urgent Care location such as the ones listed below.  You should carry your insurance card with you at all times.

 

Walk-in Clinic-South Loop- Phone: 312.663.3522 Board Certified ER doctors

71 E 16th St. Chicago IL, 60616  Mon-Fri 9:30-7pm  Sat 9:30-2pm

 

Physicians Immediate Care- Walk-In clinic, No appointment necessary

811B South State Street Chicago, IL 60605
Ph: (312) 566-9510

http:/: 7:30am – 8pm
Saturdays: 9am – 6pm
Sundays: 9am – 4pmWeekdays

 

Walgreens Take Care Health Clinics-Nurse Practitioners
1601 N Wells Street Chicago, IL 60614
Mon-Fri 8:00am-7:30pm
Sat-Sun 9:00am-4:30pm Chicago, IL 60603

79 West Monroe

Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:30pm 10265

 
CVS Minute Clinics-Nurse Practitioners

State and Adams

137 South State Street Chicago, IL 60603

Mon – Fri 8:30am to 7:30pm

Sat – Sun closed

 

Clark and Division
1165 North Clark Chicago, IL 60610
Mon – Fri 8:30am to 7:30pm
Sat 9am to 5:30pm
Sun 10am to 5:30pm

You will need to pay for services at the time of your appointment and submit a claim to insurance.

Full details and a list of doctors who are familiar with the insurance can be found onthe Au Pair in America website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance_3.asp

Disney Trip!!!

Pack your bags for the 7th Annual  Au Pair in America  trip to DISNEY WORLD

For Au Pair in America au pairs only

JANUARY 27 – JANUARY 31, 2011 $390.00 Per person

 Includes 4 nights in All Stars Music Hotel on Disney Property, 3 day hopper pass and transportation to all 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom) and transportation from the Orlando airport to the hotel on January 27 and transportation to the Orlando airport from the hotel on January 31. Price does not include meals.

 

4 Au Pairs to a hotel room .Each room has 2 double beds

 

Au Pairs will need to book air travel to and from Orlando, Florida. 

 

Email Kathy at kkressner@comcast.net