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American Families for Cultural Exchange Applauds the Reintroduction of Federal Legislation to Modernize & Strengthen the Au Pair Program

Coalition Urges Members of Congress to Advance the Modernizing the Au Pair Program (MAPP) Act to Increase Access to Cultural Exchange Program with Childcare Opportunities

Washington, D.C. (June 26, 2025) — Today, American Families for Cultural Exchange applauds Chief Deputy Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), as well as cosponsors Representative Maria Salazar (FL-27) and Representative Darrell Issa (CA-48), for the reintroduction of the Modernizing the Au Pair Program (MAPP) Act. The MAPP Acts seeks to modernize and strengthen the U.S. Department of State-regulated au pair cultural exchange program, which has built meaningful connections around the world by offering enriching cultural exchange experiences to American families and young people from abroad since 1986.

As our country faces an ongoing childcare crisis, the au pair program offers American families a flexible and affordable solution. The au pair program is a crucial childcare option for military families and others with non-traditional work schedules such as single parents, first responders, shift workers, and more. Nearly 1 in 8 American families hosting an au pair are military-affiliated (active duty, National Guard, or veterans).

“Military families across the country depend on the au pair program for reliable, flexible childcare,” said Congressman Guy Reschenthaler. “The Modernize the Au Pair Program Act protects this vital resource by preventing burdensome regulations from state and local governments that threaten its availability and affordability for American families.”

Recognizing that thousands of families rely on the au pair program as a source of affordable childcare and its role in American diplomacy abroad, the MAPP Act would ensure national uniformity and clarity across all regulations imposed on the program. While ensuring that the program remains accessible for a diversity of families, the legislation directs the Department of State to modernize and uniformly modify regulations to ensure that au pairs are being compensated fairly for the childcare support they provide and can fulfill their educational requirements.

“Not only does the au pair program provide a childcare solution for American families, but it remains a domestic and foreign policy imperative that the program succeeds in the promotion of U.S. diplomatic interests,” said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care Au Pair. “Congressman Reschenthaler’s MAPP Act takes critical steps to ensure that a diversity of American families can benefit from the flexible, trusted, and affordable care that the au pair program provides as well as the truly unique cultural exchange experiences it creates.”

“Au pairs solve the childcare problem so many military families face,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “Military life is unpredictable and so are childcare needs. Au pairs are a great way to ensure that military kids are taken care of, and military families stay mission ready.”

An au pair is a young person from abroad who comes to America on a specially designated cultural exchange visa and lives with an American family for a maximum of two years, receiving a weekly stipend, room and board, and educational opportunities in return for providing limited childcare support to their host family. For nearly forty years, the au pair program has been an important form of “kitchen table diplomacy” – breaking down cultural barriers and helping young adults become better global citizens.

About American Families for Cultural Exchange

American Families for Cultural Exchange is a coalition championing the federal au pair program, which bridges cultural divides by offering immersive and enriching exchange  experiences to families across the U.S. and citizens of other countries.