FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National Military Family Association joins American Families for Cultural Exchange as New Affiliated Member

Families’ access to trusted & stable childcare is mission-critical for American forces

Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2025) — American Families for Cultural Exchange (AFCE) today announced the addition of the National Military Family Association (NMFA) as a new affiliated member. The addition of NMFA will further strengthen the coalition’s efforts to protect and strengthen the federal au pair cultural exchange program and recognize the diversity of American families, including those connected to the military, who rely on the program for flexible childcare and benefit from its unique cultural exchange opportunities.

NMFA is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving all military families. Since 1969, NMFA has worked with families to identify and solve the unique challenges of military life, including those surrounding childcare. A longtime advocate for the au pair program, NMFA has supported efforts to clarify exclusive federal regulatory authority of the program.

The au pair program is a crucial childcare option for military families and others with unique childcare needs. Nearly 1 in 8 American families hosting an au pair are military-affiliated (active duty, National Guard, or veterans), with a new report showing a 20 percent increase in military-affiliated host families compared to previous estimates.

“The au pair program provides thousands of military families with the flexible, affordable child care they need,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “NMFA is committed to working with partners like American Families for Cultural Exchange to ensure that the program remains an affordable option with national uniformity and clarity across all regulations.”

“Our nation’s childcare crisis impacts all people, but a lack of flexible and affordable options disproportionately impacts American military families who need unique solutions to accommodate the demands of military service,” said Natalie Jordan, Senior Vice President at Cultural Care Au Pair. “The addition of NMFA to American Families for Cultural Exchange’s affiliated membership underscores the value of the au pair program for military families and our national security, while also helping to ensure host families can learn more about the world and its people through cultural exchange.”

For nearly forty years, the U.S. State Department-regulated federal au pair program has created impactful connections across borders and cultures, while achieving the public diplomacy goals outlined by the program’s founders. Through hosting an au pair, military-connected families experience unique cultural exchange while ensuring trusted care for their children.

Learn more about the impact of the au pair program for American military families: https://www.militaryfamily.org/au-pair-program-meets-unique-child-care-needs-for-military-families/

About American Families for Cultural Exchange

American Families for Cultural Exchange is a coalition led by Cultural Care Au Pair, a designated official sponsor of the U.S. State Department-regulated au pair program for over 30 years which has placed more than 175,000 au pairs in the homes of American host families. The au pair program champions the federal initiative that bridges cultural divides by offering immersive cultural exchange and enriching experiences to families across the country. Cultural Care is proud to support our military, offering a program fee discount for host parents who serve as active or veteran military members when they host with us for the first time.