In the first section where it asks about household members there’s a separate box for live in babysitters and others who may live in the home but may not be members of the family and that’s where an au pair can be counted.

If you have any further queistons you can go to the census website at

http://2010.census.gov/2010census/

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).

It seems the MN weather is not cooperating with us again this month…so change of plans for tonight.  We are not going to the snowmobile races in the rain!  We will meet at the New Hope Cinema and Grill in New Hope for a movie instead!  The movie is “The Spy Next Door”  Admission to the movie is $3.00 and they only accept cash for admission to the movie.  Once inside it is set up like a restaurant and you can order food/snacks/drinks etc.  They will accept credit cards/debit cards for FOOD ONLY.  You must have cash to get into the movie.  The movie starts at 6 p.m. so plan to be there by 5:45 if possible.  We will meet inside and I will get there early to save some seats.  Let me know if you are planning to bring a guest otherwise we have a small group this month.  See you there!

New Hope Cinema Grill
2749 Winnetka Ave N
New Hope, MN 55427

Phone: (763) 417-0017
New Hope Cinema and Grill

The races start at 5:00 but we will be meeting at 6:15 in the big white tent.  You are welcome to arrive anytime before that but you must be there by 6:15 to sign in!

Everyone is welcome!  Au Pairs in the group were given one admission ticket, any quests etc. will have to pay admission at $10 per person (kids 12 and under are free).

Dress warm, and bring extra money if you want food or beverages.  My son Austin will be racing so you can come an cheer him on.  This will be a great Minnesota experience for all of you!

For more information visit their website at
www.erxmotorpark.com

Elvis is in his 2nd year as an au pair taking care of four boys in Ramsey/Maple Grove

“Elvis has been more than an Au Pair; he has become part of our family.  He is a brother to our four sons.  They truly love him like he is their brother.  Elvis is caring and professional, always going above and beyond his expected duties. During the time that Elvis has been with us, my husband and I separated and are going through a divorce.  He transfers back and forth with the children from each of our homes which he has done without ever complaining.  What really sets him apart during this difficult time for our family is his ability to maintain an unbiased presence and he continues to focus on the children.  Because of him, the otherwise troubled situation has maintained consistency and calm.  He has become a refuge for our children and their lives are better for having Elvis in it.  I cannot express enough gratitude to cultural care for placing such a fine young man in our home to be such an exemplary role model for our four young men.” HM Lanee.

As part of Cultural Care Au Pair’s mission to break down barriers of culture and language through educational exchange, a group of local childcare coordinators and staff recently visited South Africa to see firsthand the difference the donations from the Cultural Care community have made through our charitable organization Kids First.

Since it’s inception in 2004, Kids First has supported many worldwide organizations that work with at-risk youth. From the daycare center in Brazil to the school library in New Orleans to an orphanage in Russia, Kids First has supported a wide range of global organizations. Our most recent work at an orphanage and daycare center in a poverty-stricken township outside Capetown, South Africa is another great example of the work we are doing worldwide.

Cultural Care staff and LCCs had an opportunity to visit several projects funded through CHOSA, an organization that Kids First supports. CHOSA provides support to programs that work with at-risk children and their families to provide nutrition, medication, clothing, food, shelter and an education.

During the service visit, those who participated had a chance to visit the Ubuhle Babantwana Care Center, which helps 150 children, some of whom are HIV positive. Donations received from au pairs, host families and Cultural Care LCCs and staff have provided funds for the building of a new structure for the infants and toddlers in the center. The group from Cultural Care Au Pair had an opportunity to see the new structure, meet the inspirational director and dedicated teachers and had some time to play with the children.

In addition, the group visited the Ilitha-Labantwana Place of Safety, the Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project, the Emasithandane Children’s Project and the Baphumulele Children’s Home. The Cultural Care team is now bringing their experience back to the U.S. to raise awareness, and additional funds for even more projects that Kids First supports.

“Our Kids First trip to Cape Town was truly amazing and inspiring,” says Local Childcare Coordinator Trudy Mar. “The work, effort, love and sacrifice the women heading up these projects give to all of the kids goes well beyond what most of us could imagine. If one little body sleeps better, eats better and smiles more, we’ve helped to change their future and make the world a better place. Every dollar we raise for Kids First definitely does make a difference.”

For information about how you can make a contribution to Kids First, or raise awareness for the programs it supports, visit http://www.culturalcare.com/aboutus/kidsfirst/ or contact your Local Childcare Coordinator.

Feb. 28th - Bowling at Brunswick

March 11th - ERX Sno Cross races!

April - 18th - CEU

May 23rd - Host Family Event at Canterbury!

June 11th or 13th - to be determined

July 18th - Scavenger Hunt

August 18th - Mini Golf

The results from the 2009 Host Family Survey are in … and the consensus is that our host families are overwhelmingly happy! To share a few of the stats:

- 96% of host families are satisfied with the quality of childcare that their au pair provides
- 95% are satisfied with the support provided by their Local Childcare Coordinator
- 97% are pleased with the choice they made to use the services of Cultural Care Au Pair
- 96% would recommend the services of Cultural Care Au Pair to other families

Thank you to our current host families for participating and for helping us to further improve our program! Host family feedback gathered through our customer satisfaction survey has contributed to several changes at Cultural Care Au Pair including an improved host family and au pair matching process, increased new and repeat host family discounts, new payment plan options, and better online and phone support for host families. In addition, host families are able to provide direct feedback to senior management at face to face meetings held throughout the country, and they may participate in an online forum (www.community.culturalcare.com) created just for program participants.

We’re thrilled with these results, which are certified by independent survey company Discovery Surveys, Inc. In fact, our participation rate (52% of active host families this time around) and the results themselves have improved each of the four times we have administered the surveys (spring and fall of 2008 and spring and fall of 2009). For more detailed survey information, visit our website.

http://www.snowflakedays.com/index.htm

http://www.anokacountyparks.com/programs/se_snowday.htm