Please be advised that in May of 2007, legislation was passed which resulted in a three-step plan to increase the federal minimum wage each July until 2009. The first increase occurred in July, 2007, the second occured in July, 2008 and the third increase will go into effect on Friday, July 24, 2009.
As a reminder, the au pair weekly stipend is based, in part, on the federal minimum wage and, therefore, will increase accordingly. In order to remain compliant with U.S. Department of State regulations, we are asking all host families pay their au pair at the new stipend rate of $195.75 effective the week of July 20th, 2009. Cultural Care Au Pair literature and agreements stipulate that host families comply with all regulations and, therefore, adherence to these changes is required of all program participants.
The exact calculation used to determine the weekly stipend as well as the resulting changes to the stipend over the course of the three year plan.
