Tori Simek

New LCC Tori Simek Takes the Helm of Central New Hampshire

Posted by: Tori on February 4, 2010

After six wonderful years with Cultural Care Au Pair, it’s time for me to move on! I have enjoyed speaking to everyone who has called about the program. And have ben so blessed to meet so many wonderful people.

Let me introduce you to Central New Hampshire’s newest Local Childcare Coordinator! She is Tori Simek, a lovely, petite mother of four who is more than capable of navigating any situation that may arise. She can guide you through the matching process, give you sound advise on welcoming a new au pair into your home, help you understand the cultural differences, and answer all your questions about the Cultural Care Au Pair program.

Call her for information on Hosting a Cultural Care Au at 603-568-9091.

Au Pair - Happy Holidays!

Posted by: Tori on December 23, 2009

Giving to Others This Holiday Season!

Posted by: Tori on December 7, 2009

With the recession, many people need help, and this is definitely the year to focus on giving to others rather than receiving! Here’s how you can help:

1. Organize a food drive.

Go to http://www.nhfoodbank.org to find a food bank in your area of New Hampshire.

2. Collect clothes for the needy.

Collect blankets and slightly worn clothing for a local charity. Go to http://www.goodwillnne.org/retail/retail-stores.php?view=nh

3. Help local animals.

There are a variety of ways help the furry friends in your area without spending a lot of money. You can simply give the gift of your time. The holidays are the perfect time to volunteer to walk dogs, or play with cats at your local animal shelter. Go to http://www.nhspca.org/

4. Hold a silent auction.

A silent auction is a great way to raise money for a specific cause. To hold a silent auction of your own, start by reaching out to the businesses in your local area to see if they will donate auction items that attendees can bid on. Then see if you can get the venue, entertainment and/or food donated. Once you have everything in place, spread the word by putting an event announcement in your local paper or on the radio.

5. Sponsor a family.

If you want to help specific individuals, try working with a local charity to “sponsor a family.” This way, the family requests exactly what they need, and your team can help them enjoy a dream holiday with food, clothing, toys, and more.

Giving is what makes us Human! Giving with a smile, is what makes you special!

Making Classes Count!

Posted by: Tori on August 5, 2009

CHOOSE YOUR CLASSES

As a Local Childcare Coordinator in New Hampshire, I understand the challenge of finding classes that will work for the au pair and for the host family. Here in New Hampshire, accredited postsecondary colleges can be a 45 minute drive for an au pair, crazy winters, intense driving conditions, snow days, ice days and yes even a tornado, can wreak havoc with all of the careful planning.

To help families and au pairs I’ve compiled a list of colleges and universities in New Hampshire and have familiarized myself with each ones current class listings so that I can recommend one or two classes of interest to families and au pairs in hopes that by doing so, an au pair can quickly register for a class and start to experience the American college experience. You can see my list to right of this post.

There are always one or two or three cases where the Au Pair needs to find an alternative. For those times, I recommend Silver Bay http://www.silverbayaupaircourse.com/.

The most important thing to remember, do not delay in researching and registering for classes. The educational component is extremely important and not completing the required credit hours can lead to deposit forfeiture and expensive flights home that the au pair has to pay for.

Welcome to the German Invasion

Posted by: Tori on August 4, 2009

August brings large numbers of Au Pair Arrivals and New Hampshire is no exception. This month we have Au Pairs from Germany arriving like crazy. If you would like to host an Au Pair and SAVE BIG MONEY, call Joyce Johnson 603-568-8093 right now!

When I say BIG MONEY I mean big. 650 Dollars BIG!

With all of the absolutely amazing au pairs we still have who are looking to get placed this summer and fall, Cultural Care is offering another enticing discount to families who apply by August 31st. Our Back-to-School discount includes a $350 application fee waiver and a $300 program fee discount: a total savings of $650!

To qualify, families must welcome an au pair by October 23, 2009 and be new to Cultural Care Au Pair.

http://jjohnson.aupairnews.com/

Au Pair Water Safety Meeting and a Cute Lifeguard too!

Posted by: Tori on July 29, 2009

The Au Pairs of central New Hampshire met last Saturday at Bucklin Beach in New London, NH to review water safety and have fun!

Below are topics that Au Pairs and Host Families should discuss.

• Never leave children alone at the beach, pool, lake or bathtub.
• How to keep a watchful eye on younger children
• How to keep your tweens happy and safe
• Have kids swim with a buddy
• Know your kids swimming ability
• Know your own water limitations
• Swim in SAFE Areas
• Drink plenty of water
• Use sunscreen
• Getting cold in the water
• Alcohol and water don’t mix
• Water and the weather
• If separated, have a designated meeting place.

Using Erika Travel Insurance - Most Commonly Asked QUestions

Posted by: Tori on July 1, 2009

1.     How Do I Find a Doctor:  Look up an Aetna provider on www.aetna.com\docfind\erika - this will save you money if you use a participating provider.

2.     What is the difference between Aetna vs. Erika Insurance:  Call the doctor’s office and say you have “Aetna” (not Erika insurance because they will not recognize the Erika name).

3.     Do I Need My Insurance Card and What Other Information Do I Need?  Bring your Insurance Certificate Card with you to the doctor’s office

• What is my ID number:  Give the doctor’s office your CCAP booking number - this is your insurance ID number (do not give them the policy number 10462 or 11190 as your id number because all au pairs have the same policy number). 
• Your name:  Provide the doctor’s office with your FULL name (as it appears in your passport or visa) - Including all of your family names.
• Billing address:  If the doctor does not send Aetna the bill, they will bill YOU instead. Tell your doctor to send bills to:

Aetna Student Health

P.O. Box 15719

Boston, MA 02215

• Deductibles:  Do not pay the Aetna provider’s office for the visit except for your deductible:  $65 for Basic and $35 for Extended.

4.     Call Aetna if the doctor’s office can’t find your name:  Be sure to have the doctor’s office call Aetna at 800-783-7447 to confirm your insurance benefits and coverage dates.  Have them call while you are there in the office so you can have the insurance pay for the visit.  If they cannot reach someone or give you difficulties, be sure to take down the name of the person in the doctor’s office and we can contact them during the next business day. Call Aetna yourself and ask them to contact the doctor’s office on your behalf.

5.     If Aetna does not have your name:   Call Cultural Care at 800-448-5753 and they will confirm your eligibility with Aetna. All au pairs have insurance coverage while participating in the program, so do not panic! It is usually just a clerical mistake that can be easily fixed.

6.     Emergency Room:  Remember that you have an extra Emergency Room deductible if you go to the ER:  $150 for Basic and $50 for Extended, plus your normal deductible of $65 or $35. 

7.     Routine Care:  Remember that routine care is NOT covered - if you go for a doctor’s visit because you do not feel well, or something is wrong, remind the doctor’s office that routine visits are not covered and they must send Aetna a bill explaining why you needed treatment.

8.     Hospitalizations or Accidents while driving:  Be sure to contact the Assistance Company in the event that you have to go to the hospital or are in an accident with your car.  The Assistance Companies are open 24/7 and the phone numbers are on your insurance certificate and in the policy booklet. 

9.     If you get a bill at home:  if you receive a doctor’s bill at home, please contact the insurance at 800-783-7447 to be sure the insurance has also received the bill to pay it.  Otherwise, the doctor will expect payment from you and you may begin to receive Collection Notices.  To prevent this from happening, contact Aetna immediately after you get a bill.

10. Prescriptions:  If you have a prescription, you must first pay for it and then send in a claim form with the receipt from the pharmacy (both the cash register receipt and the medication information label attached to the prescription.)  You will be reimbursed for all medications except for acne, birth control or medication that you take for a pre-existing condition.

11. Claim forms:  go to www.erikainsurance.com and you can download claim forms.