Au Pair agencies aren't government-run. They are businesses. Like any business, they can choose where they want to operate. You can't force any business to come to your town if they don't want to, usually because it's not profitable for them.

I'd save your ink - there is no point in writing your state senator (also, this is a FEDERAL program not a state of Alaska program...).

APIA has some families from Hawaii.

It sounds like you’re too far from the closest LCC, not too far for an AP. I don’t think the agency cares if the AP feels stranded.

Anonymous wrote:...sorry, I meant LCC.

With what agency?

It is hard to keep APs in suburbs of DC; Alaska would be right ahead of Guam for least desired location.
I am not sure if there are APs in Hawaii even - although I am sure many candidates would jump at the chance - agencies cannot be profitable in small markets.

Anonymous wrote:...and we have a LLC here.

Contact the LCC and see what the issue is. The LCC may be finishing after the current APs leave, they may have too many APs already in the cluster, or maybe you just think you’re in their radius. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:...and we have a LLC here.

Usually at least 15-20 APs within driving distance of each other. What area(s) does the LCC cover?

Anonymous wrote:...sorry, I meant LCC.

What does that person do if there are no AP's?

...sorry, I meant LCC.

...and we have a LLC here.

We are in Sitka. What constitutes a sufficient cluster?

They have to have enough for a cluster to warrant a LCC. Are you in Juneau?

I should have clarified; We live in Southeast Alaska and although there are AP placements in some of the other towns out here I was told that we are too "remote", hence the reference of remote. Regarding the cultural exchange, we have a University campus, performing arts, fine arts camp, summer music festival, science center, a vibrant community of young people and numerous foreign exchange students from all over the world. In short, our community is a very active end vibrant one that has a ton to offer in terms of activities and socialization for all groups and ages alike.
The last agency I spoke with told me that there was only a limited number of J1 visas and that they did not want to "sponsor" an AP in our town.

Come on. It’s not fair to send an au pair to a remote location in Alaska. Stop if selfish. How is it a cultural exchange when she will have limited social life???

I have contacted all of the AP agencies just to be told our location is too remote. Although we meet all the requirements for placement, none of the agencies that cover Alaska will assist in matching an AP. What recourse do we have? We just sent a letter to our State Senators office and will follow up with a phone call but I wanted to see if there was any other advice out there?