Vicky Elkins’ Cultural Care Au Pair Site - Memphis

Mother’ In Different Languages:

Posted by: velkins on May 2, 2010

God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers- Jewish Proverb

Following is the popular usage of ‘mother’ in different languages!

French - Mere
German - Mutter
Hindi - Maji
Urdu - Ammee
English - Mom, Mummy, Mother
Italian - Madre
Portuguese - Mãe
Albanian - Mëmë; Nënë; Burim; Kryemurgeshë
Belarusan - Matka
Cebuano - Inahan; Nanay
Serbian - Majka
Spanish - Madre, mamá
Czech - Abatyse
Dutch - Moeder; Moer
Estonian - Ema
Frisian - Emo, Emä, Kantaäiti, Äiti
Greek - Màna
Hawaiian - Makuahine
Hungarian - Anya, Fu
Ilongo - Iloy; Nanay; Nay
Indonesian - Induk, Ibu, Biang, NyokapHere is the Proclamation that explains, which explains the goals of Mother’s Day in the United States.

Mother’s Day Proclamation
Arise then…women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
“We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”

From the bosum of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: “Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.”
Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace…
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -

In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Wishing all Mom’s a happy Mothers day.

Does my au pair need to file a tax return???

Posted by: velkins on March 19, 2010

There has been some questions as to whether or not au pairs need to file a federal tax return or not.  Au Pairs do not need to pay social security or medicare however they could be responsible for federal taxes depending on the amount of stipend they received.  As a general rule ALL au pairs should file a tax return, most will not owe any taxes but in some cases depending on when they arrived in the U.S. they could owe some tax.  See below some information from Cultural Care Au Pair:

Basically, our advice to host families and au pairs is that all au pairs need to file taxes for stipend earned in a given tax year. The IRS is pretty clear that they are not treated as “normal students” for tax purposes and are those not automatically exempt from federal income taxes. Au pairs will need a Individual Taxpayer ID Number (”ITIN”) for this (looks like a social security number, but starts with the digit “9″).

Most au pairs, especially those who arrive in the summer, will owe little or no tax - they are allowed to claim the personal exemption ($3,650 for 2009) but are not allowed the standard deduction. The maximum tax bracket for their income would be 10% so they usually will be paying 10% of their received stipend minus the $3,650 exemption.

It is easiest to just have them file regardless of arrival date or expected tax burden, rather than trying to do these calculations with them, we advise that they just file the 1040NR-EZ form (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040nre.pdf).

Recognize your aupair! Nominations due for 2010 IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award

Posted by: velkins on December 29, 2009

Every year thousands of young people from all over the world embark on a special journey by becoming an au pair. Now it’s time to recognize the extraordinary and ordinary daily accomplishments that each au pair makes in his or her host family by nominating your au pair for the International Au Pair Association’s

Francisco Ricardo Silva de Araújo of Brazil

seventh annual Au Pair of the Year Award.

The International Au Pair Association established the Au Pair of the Year Award to recognize the many great young men and women participating in the au pair program worldwide. In addition, the award helps highlight public awareness of this valuable cultural exchange program.

For the last two years, au pairs with Cultural Care have been honored with the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award. In 2009, the honor was awarded to Francisco Ricardo Silva de Araújo, of Brazil, an au pair to the Boyer family of Virginia. In 2008, Linda Falter, an au pair from Germany, received the award while she was an au pair for the Sato family of Hayward, California.

What makes your au pair outstanding?
Maybe it’s the day-to-day things he or she does, such as kicking around a soccer ball, helping the kids with homework or entertaining them while you cook dinner. Maybe it’s the way he or she has embraced your family, such as teaching your kids her language, baking treats from her home country or coming to watch your children in the winter program at school. Every thing your au pair does that helps your family or brings a rich cultural exchange into your family is worthy of recognition, and a great way of saying thank you to your au pair!

Host families who would like to nominate their au pair should submit an essay detailing what makes their au pair exceptional in the form provided. Nominations for the Au Pair of the Year Award must be received by Friday, January 15. Once you’ve submitted your nomination, don’t forget to share it with your au pair to show her or him how much you think of what she or he does for your family!

Simply nominating an au pair for the IAPA Au Pair of the Year Award is a wonderful honor that can show your au pair how much you value what she or he does for your family. This award allows so many in the au pair community to reflect on what an incredibly positive program this is and the many lives it touches and enriches along the way.

For more information about the Au Pair of the Year Award or nominating your au pair please click here.

Educational Component Fact Sheet

Posted by: velkins on November 18, 2009

Fulfilling the Educational Component is mandatory for all au pairs, but it can be quite confusing to find out what classes qualify and how to find them in your area. It is really important that each au pair starts taking classes as soon as possible in the year to ensure a timely completion.
Please refer to the Educational Component section in Infosource for detailed information.
We have also created an Educational Component Fact Sheet that you can use as a reference when speaking to your au pairs and host families about this important part of the program.

Join our on-line Cultural Care Community!

Posted by: velkins on September 7, 2009

We are happy to announce an innovative on-line resource for host families, the Cultural Care Community. On our new site, families can ask a question, share an idea or “best practice” they use with their au pair, report a problem they are having or give praise. Cultural Care staff, LCCs and other host families can help answer your questions and join in the discussion. This new community is not meant to replace the customer service structure and systems that we already have in place, but rather to give host families a public forum to share with us and to connect with other families. Visit http://community.culturalcare.com , join the conversation and let us know what you think!

Culturalcare Aupair’s two new services for Host families

Posted by: velkins on April 5, 2008

I am very excited to announce the launch of two new services for host families: Welcome Baskets and Specialty Preparation Classes! So you can welcome your aupair with a wonderful gift.

Welcome Baskets
Host families can now purchase a customized Cultural Care Welcome Basket for their au pair to be delivered to the Training School in New York. All of our welcome packages include a New York City tour, a Cultural Care Training School Photo CD, snacks, Cultural Care gear and other popular au pair items. Families can add a personal greeting to their au pair and the basket will be waiting at the school for the au pair upon arrival. Au pairs are going to love all the fun, exciting and useful gifts in the Welcome Baskets and families have an easy, practical way to say “welcome” to their au pair!

Specialty Preparation Classes
Host families can now choose to enroll their au pair in Specialty Preparation Classes offered before the standard course at the Training School begins. Au pairs will arrive to the Cultural Care Training School a day early and have a full day of classes focused on a topic of the host family’s choice:

- Rules of the Road and Driving Practices
- Sharing Your Native Language with Children
- Caring for the School-Aged Child
- A Practical Introduction to the American Home

All classes include lectures and discussion, hands-on activities, in-class assignments and take-home manuals. This additional training in a specific area will help to help get their year together off to a great start!

Ordering and Deadlines
Ordering a Welcome Basket or enrolling an au pair in a Specialty Preparation Class is easy. Host families simply visit the new on-line store at http://store.family.culturalcare.com and select which basket or class they prefer. Welcome baskets must be ordered by the Thursday before their au pair’s arrival to the Cultural Care Au Pair Training School. The deadline to enroll their au pair in a Specialty Preparation Class is 12:00 noon EST on the day after the finaling deadline

Introduction of the E-Club

Posted by: velkins on March 1, 2007

Starting this June, all extension au pairs will automatically become a member of the E-Club.

Aupairs will be able to take advantage of special privileges and offers including a chance to win a $2,000 scholarship or a $200 host family referral bonus! E-Club members will also receive the Au Pair Advantage Card which gives them discounts on shows and movies and at great stores and restaurants.

The following au pairs are eligible:

• Au pairs completing the extension application on April 15th 2007 or later 

• Au pairs with an extension year start of June 4th 2007 or later 

Social Security Number

Posted by: velkins on January 1, 2007

To open a bank account you may need to get a social security number. Also your social security number will work as identification.

Once you arrive to your host family, you will receive a letter from the Boston office which you need to bring with your visa form (DS-2019), passport, and application form (fill out this form) with you to the Social Security office.

Local Social Security Office in Memphis:

3220 PLAYERS CLUB PKWY

MEMPHIS, TN 38125

Office Phone:

(800) 772-1213

(901) 746-6409

TTY: (901) 746-6507

If you click on attachments, you will find the Social security application form.

For more information go to the Web site of the social security administration that you can find on this link: http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.

Tennessee Driving License

Posted by: velkins on December 31, 2006

The Tennessee Department of Safety began issuing a “Temporary Driver License” (TDL) on October 1, 2007 to foreign nationals residing in Tennessee whose legal, temporary presence has been authorized by the federal government. 

A representative of the TN Department of Safety stated that is legal to drive with the International driver licenses only for 30 days after the foreigner arrived. After that time, the foreigner must drive with the Temporary Driver Licenses. http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/driverlicense/tdl.htm

Why are the documents called “Temporary” Driver License and ID?The Driver License and ID are designated as “Temporary” because the expiration date will be the same as the expiration date of the foreign national’s authorized stay in the United States. 

Who is eligible for a TDL/ID?
Qualified applicants for a Tennessee Temporary Driver License or ID-only license must:

* Be a foreign national residing in Tennessee.
* Provide documentation from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizing a temporary legal presence and specific period of authorized stay in the country.
* Provide two forms of proof of identity and two forms of Tennessee residency.
* Provide a social security number, if issued.
* Pass all required knowledge, skills and vision testing.
* Pay appropriate fees.

What specific documents are required for a TDL/ID?

Applicants will also need to provide the department with:

• Two (2) acceptable proof of identity documents. 
• Legal proof of name change (i.e. certified marriage certificate, certified final divorce decree, etc.) will be required if the name on the identification documents does not match the federal document used for proof of temporary legal presence.
• If the applicant wishes to have the Temporary Driver License issued in a name different that what appears on the federal documents proof confirming that the name change has already been submitted to the federal agency will also be required.
• Two (2) proofs of Tennessee residency.
• Proof of social security number (or sworn affidavit if no SSN has been issued).

How long is the TDL/ID valid?The Temporary DL and ID are valid for the same period of the applicant’s authorized stay in the U.S but no longer than 5 years, and if not defined, for one year.

How is the TDL renewed?
At time of renewal, an applicant must provide updated proof of legal presence and extension of authorized stay as well as current proof of Tennessee residency.

How much does a TDL/ID cost?In most cases, a TDL is $19.50 and an ID-only license is $9.50. 

Where can I apply for TDL/ID?Temporary DL/ID applicants must apply in person and complete any required testing at one of the 50 full-service driver license stations across the state.  Check the department’s website, www.tennessee.gov/safety, for the closest location and station hours.

What tests are required?First-time, or original, TDL applicants are required to pass a knowledge, road skills and vision test.  Exceptions exist if you have previously passed the testing requirements.  Tests are administered at all full-service driver license stations across the state. Since the ID-only license is not valid for driving, no tests are required for a Temporary ID.
 
What language is the driver license test given?The department offers the driver license knowledge test in English, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.  Applicants may use a translation dictionary during the knowledge test, but interpreters are not allowed to assist with any part of the testing process.  During the road test, the applicant must speak and understand enough of the English language to communicate with the driver license examiner.

Driving Licenses Testing Center

• 6340 Summer Av.                   (901) 543-7920
• 3200 E. Shelby Dr.                   (901) 543-7920
• Mall of Memphis                       (901) 543-7920
• 5019 W Union Rd Mlngtn         (901) 874-0800

If you click on attachments, you will find the driving manual in English and Spanish, and a list of documents that you need to take in order to request your Certificate of driving in Tennessee.

For more information go to the Department of Safety Web site that you can find in my “Helpful Links”

Driving Schools in Memphis

Posted by: velkins on December 30, 2006

If you need to improve your driving skills, you may be interesting in attending to the follow driving schools:

Shelby County Driving School

(901) 872-7230

(Offers only private classes for adults $250 for 6hrs of driving classes. 2 hours for 3 days. Gives a certificate for passing the course)

Drivers Education Administration

(901) 327-0187

(Offers Adult driving classes $300 for 9 days of classes, 7 days behind-the-wheel-driving. Gives a certificate for passing the course)

Max Maxwell Driving School

Memphis, TN

(901) 755-6777

(Offers only private classes for adults $350 for 6hrs of driving classes. Gives a certificate for passing the course)

Driver’s Education Administration – Memphis - 327-0187

Driver’s Licenses Testing Centers – www.state.tn.us

Summer Ave. – 543-7920
E. Shelby Drive – 543-7920
Mall of Memphis – 543-7920
W. Union Rd. Millington – 874-0800

Most of these places provide private lessons, but in Collierville, I know that at the Parks and Rec Dept., they offer group classes three times a year (Oct., Jan., and May) which are less expensive.  The private lessons run about $45 an Hour for 6 hours total. ($270-up to $350) and offer books on rules and regulations and provide a certificate of completion upon passing a competency test and completing the workbook.