Important Changes to the 2010 Host Family Application

From AFSWiki

Dear AFS USA staff and volunteers,

On December 23, 2009 the U.S. Department of State published proposed changes to the current regulations governing J-1 high school student exchange. These changes include a new Appendix F, Appendix F to Part 62 – Information To Be Collected on Secondary Student Host Family Application, with specific questions that must be included on the host family application. These questions, included below, have been added to the host family application for NH10. The proposed regulations (photos of host family home, reference requirement not being from staff or volunteers, measuring host family financial resources) are amongst the regulations that AFS USA has adopted for the NH10 cycle in anticipation of these proposals becoming regulations. Additional changes to the regulations are possible for NH10 (FBI fingerprint checks, host family composition requirements), and we will continue to update you as these changes go into effect.

Major Changes to the Host Family Application for NH 2010:

o Background checks– Any person residing in the home for 10 days or more will need to submit a background check. This includes college students that come home for the holidays and occasional weekends. The Host Family Composition section of Form A and the text of the Host Family Agreement Form have been modified to reflect this.

o Photos of the host family home – The host family will be required to submit photos of their home, including a picture of the exterior of the home and grounds, kitchen, living areas, the participant’s bedroom and bathroom(s). The photos will be reviewed by the AFS USA staff hosting coordinator and will not be shared with the Partner, student, or natural family.

o Host family Reference form – The host family reference form will no longer be interchangeable with the volunteer reference form. The host family reference form has more questions that are specific to having an exchange student reside in the home of the applicant. If a host family applicant would like to register as a volunteer they will still be able to use the references from the host family application. A volunteer applicant interested in becoming a host family will need to submit the host family reference form.

AFS USA requires two references (but requests three). AFS staff and/or volunteers are not permitted to be a reference for a host family applicant. ***Volunteer applicants will still be able to submit a reference from an AFS volunteer or staff person***

o Confidential Form – This form includes a question that requests the applicant to disclose their income range. This information will not be shared with the Partner, student or natural family. Additionally, questions about financial suitability have been included in the updated Confidential Form. The Department of State has determined that any family on financial needs-based government assistance for housing or food will not be eligible to host. This includes free or reduced lunches.

o Host family Interview form – the questions included in this form have been elaborated upon in order for the interviewer(s) to provide a more thorough assessment of the host family and their home. It has been divided into two sections: Family Assessment and Home Assessment. The Family Assessment section asks questions pertaining to the family’s communication style, willingness to accept the cultural and religious differences of the participant, whether all members are enthusiastic about hosting, about past hosting experiences, etc.

The Home Assessment section asks the interviewer to rate the overall condition of the outside of the home and of specific rooms inside the home. Additionally, there is a question included about the types of pets, if any, the family has and where in the home they sleep.

New questions/requirements on NH10 Host Family Application:

Cover page – AFS requires photos of the exterior of your home and grounds, the bedroom where the participant will sleep, student’s bathroom, kitchen and the living/dining areas.

Form A: Host Family Composition–

Is the residence part of a functioning business (daycare, farm, etc)? yes no If yes, please explain.

Please list ALL household members, including host parents, children, and any person who will be staying in the home for a total of ten days or more during the participant’s program

Do you expect the student to follow any dietary restrictions? yes no If yes, please explain.

Form B: School, Community, and Host Family Interests – School:

4. If applicable, list sports/clubs/activities, if any, your child(ren) participate(s) in at the school:

6. Does any member of your household work for the high school in a coaching/teaching or administrative capacity? 0 yes 0 no

7. Has any member of your household had contact with a coach regarding the hosting of an exchange student with particular athletic ability? If yes, please describe the contact and sport:

Community:

4. What points of interest are near your area (parks, museums, historical sites)?

Form C: Host Family Description Form:

Host Family Profile:

7. What personal expenses do you expect to be covered by the AFS participant?

Religious Affiliation:

3. If you attend religious services or activities do you expect the student to attend with your family? yes no

Please note: Students cannot be required to attend religious services. However, as part of the exchange, they are encouraged to experience this facet of U.S. culture at their discretion.

Home Environment: (text highlighted in grey is new)

1. Please give a physical description of your home and the AFS participant’s bedroom (including description of primary rooms, bedrooms and number of bathrooms). Also indicate whether the participant will have easy access to musical instruments, computers, and a quiet place for study.

3. If anyone in the home has a serious illness, chronic medical condition, or physical or mental disabilities please give a brief description:

Form C: Confidential Form

4. Is your family living in subsidized housing? yes no

5. Describe if anyone residing in the home receives any kind of public assistance (financial needs-based government subsidies for food and housing). Disability and unemployment are excluded. yes no If yes, please explain.

7. Which group describes your family’s annual income? Less Than $25,000 25-$50,000 $50-$75,000 $75,000 and above

Please note: The Department of State does not deem appropriate the placement of exchange participants with host families receiving financial needs-based government subsidies for food or housing. Such families, by definition, lack sufficient financial resources to meet fully the financial obligations associated with hosting an exchange student. If at any point during the hosting experience your circumstances change you must inform AFS.

Form D: Host Family Interview

Please see form.

Form E: School Introduction

10. Would special transportation be necessary for extracurricular activities after school or in the evenings? 0 yes 0 If yes, how could this be arranged:

Host Family Reference Form

Please see form.