thousands of Host Families and Aupairs participating in the program across the United States. The Local Coordinator will live within one-hour driving distance of the Host Family's home. The role of the Local Coordinator includes the following:

·        Interviewing the Host Families ensuring that the families understand the rules of the program, the responsibilities of the Aupair and that the home environment (and the Au Pair's room) are consistent with Aupair program requirements and Aupair USA standards

·        Providing support during the placement process including advising the Host Family on the suitability of individual Aupair applicants given their needs.

·        Providing a "Welcome Packet" for newly arriving Aupairs which includes information about the cultural and educational opportunities available in the community as well as the names and telephone numbers of all the Aupairs in the cluster and information about upcoming cluster events. The Coordinator will also inform other Aupairs when a new Aupair has arrived in the community and he/she first weeks in the United States.

·        Telephoning the Host Family and Aupair within 48 hours of the Aupair's arrival in the Host Family's home and meeting in person with the Aupair and her Host Family with in two weeks of the arrival date.

·        Hosting required monthly cluster meeting for Aupairs. Periodic telephone contact with the Aupairs, and availability to the Aupairs by telephone.

·        Coordination an annual "Host Family Day" event.

·        Contacting the Host Family each month to provide on-going support and advice. For those Aupairs who are reassigned to a second Host Family after their first placement did not prove successful, the Local Coordinator will be in contact with the Host Family and the Aupair twice monthly for the first two months following the reassignment to the new Host Family.

·        Writing and sending a monthly newsletter to Aupairs and Host Families which describes upcoming events, new Au Pair arrivals and other information of interest.

·        Being available to Aupairs and to Host families as the first level of communication regarding questions concerning program policies, U.S. government regulations, or specific concerns regarding the placement and relationship between the Aupair and the Host Family. Though Coordinators work out of their homes and are often available in an emergency, they generally establish office hours so as to separate their work and personal lives. Most are available Monday through Friday during the day and they will respond to Host Family and Aupair telephone calls within 24 hours. A nearby Local Coordinator be on holiday or be unable to provide support the Host Families and Aupairs in his/her cluster area for a period of time. In such situations the Host Families and Aupairs will be notified of the back-up Local Coordinator's name and telephone number.

·        Being available to answer questions about the program's educational component and the appropriateness of individual courses in complying with the program's educational requirements. The Local Coordinators can provide lists of local schools, colleges and universities that offer accredited courses. He/she will also have information pertaining to classes enjoyed by Aupairs in the past, their cost and availability.