FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Families for Cultural Exchange Commends Chairman Mast for Leadership in Advancing Efforts to Modernize & Strengthen the Au Pair Program

Congress Must Advance Legislation That Would Increase Access to Cultural Exchange Program with Childcare Opportunities

Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2025) – American Families for Cultural Exchange applauds Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for advancing comprehensive legislation that reauthorizes U.S. Department of State programs for the first time in more than 20 years. The inclusion of provisions to update the au pair regulatory framework represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening the State Department–regulated au pair cultural exchange program. Since 1986, the au pair program has built lasting global connections while providing enriching cultural experiences for American families and young people from abroad.

As our country faces an ongoing childcare crisis, the au pair program offers American families a flexible and affordable solution. In Florida and across the country, 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).

“When we discovered the au pair program, it was clear this was the solution we had been searching for to balance trusted care with the flexibility needed to manage our family’s schedule,” said Kristin Aquart, a host mom in Palm Beach County, FL. “Because of our au pair, my husband and I can continue to serve our communities through any circumstance, and my family will weather any storm.”

Chairman Mast’s leadership in advancing this reauthorization ensures that State Department-regulated programs – including the au pair program – can continue to thrive in a modern context. A provision included in the reauthorization 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.

“We are deeply appreciative of Chairman Mast’s leadership and commitment to strengthening the au pair program as part of this historic reauthorization effort,” said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care Au Pair. “Under his guidance, the Committee has taken an important step to ensure this program continues to support American families with trusted, flexible childcare while advancing our nation’s cultural diplomacy and global engagement.”

“The au pair program is an essential piece of the childcare equation for many military families,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “We’re grateful to Representatives Reschenthaler, Mast, and Huizenga for their leadership on the MAPP Act, which would ensure that the au pair program remains a high quality, affordable childcare option with the flexibility to meet military families’ unique needs.”

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. Across Florida, over 730 families rely on the au pair program as a childcare solution and to foster unique cultural exchange in their communities.

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.

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