Interested in learning more about hosting an au pair? Join Au Pair in America on May 1st from 1-4 PM at Nationals Park as we celebrate their 30th anniversary at a DC Regional Cultural Fair.
You’re invited to a fun afternoon of educational country displays, performances by au pairs, a photo-op, face painting, and other fun activities for children. Au pairs from over 30 countries will be participating!
Visit Au Pair in America’s Cultural Fair page to RSVP and learn more information. Free event and free parking. #aupairnats
Monthly Archives: April 2016
What To Do In A Car Accident
By Christine Connally
Whether you are you new to driving in the US or a seasoned driver, never drive without your drivers license and remember to keep other essential documents in the car glove box. These items will be necessary if you are stopped by a police officer or have an auto accident. Not having these items can result in your receiving a ticket (citation) from a police officer. If you are involved in an accident, call the police and your Host Family immediately.
Photo: Morgan (Flickr)
Essential Documents
- Auto Registration Card
- Auto Insurance Card
- Car Accident Emergency Form
If you have an accident: (from Edmunds.com)
- Keep Safety First. Drivers involved in minor accidents with no serious injuries should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leaving cars parked in the middle of the road or busy intersection can result in additional accidents and injuries. If a car cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in the cars with seatbelts fastened for everyone’s safety until help arrives. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles if possible.
- Exchange Information. After the accident, exchange the following information: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver’s name is different from the name of the insured, establish what the relationship is and take down the name and address for each individual. Also make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color — and the exact location of the collision and how it happened. Finally, be polite but don’t tell the other drivers or the police that the accident was your fault, even if you think it was.
- Photograph and Document the Accident. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident so that you can make your case to a claims adjuster. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened.
Sticking around? The in’s and out’s of extension
By Ann Robertson
You’ve been here for a while now, – you know your way around town, you’ve gone to school, made friends, and are having a great American experience. And then . . . the question:
Would you like to extend?
If you have time for it in your life, and you meet the requirements, the extension program might be the right option for you.
The basics: You can choose to extend for 6, 9, or 12 months, and you may choose to extend with your current host family (if they are interested, of course), or with a new family – some au pairs dream of seeing another part of the country, finding different education options, or just experiencing another American family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
Your medical policy expires for the first year, and you start your new policy during the year you extend.
For example:
-If your first year began February 2013, your insurance policy is the 2013 policy until Feb 2014.
-If you start your extension in February 2014, you start the 2014 policy in February. (be aware of the changes in the policy look on the blog for the brochure).
Your insurance card expires after one year, so you should receive a printable card when you start your extension year. If you do not receive it call the agency for a new card.
If you purchased the upgrade insurance in your first year, you must purchase it again in the second year.
If you purchased the sports insurance in your first year, it lasts only 12 months from the time you bought it. Depending on when you bought it, you will probably need to purchase it again.
EDUCATION
If you extend for 9 or 12 months you must earn 6 credits again or 72 hours of education to complete the program requirements.
If you extend for 6 months you only need 3 credits or 36 hours of education.
DRIVERS LICENSE
Check on the expiration of your driver’s license, you must renew it before it expires (DO NOT LET YOUR LICENSE EXPIRE). Most likely you will need to renew it before you start your extension year. Check with your new host family for laws in your new destination state.
VACATION
Vacation for a 6 month extension is 6 days.
Vacation for a 9 and 12 month is 2 weeks.
TRAVEL
Check on the expiration date of your visa. If it expires before your second year starts then you should not travel outside of the USA – there is a risk of not being able to return (Canada, and Mexico and contiguous islands are okay to travel to). With the exception that if you return home during your first year after your approval for extension, you can get your visa renewed for another year. You must ask the agency (contact Evelyn Blum) for the paperwork required for this renewal.
Photo: Dafne Cholet (Flickr)
Childcare Focus: Supervision
Photo: SmartSign (Flickr)
Whether you are at the park, in the backyard or in the playroom, stay with the children at all times! If you are on duty the safety and well being of the children is your job. If you have a middle-schooler, who is able to walk to and from school, or play outside with friends, you still need to know where he/she is and whether an adult is present. Make plans for when he/she will call you, where you can find him/her, and what time you expect him/her home.