This online resource for host families is available to all screened and approved AFS Host Families as a series of online articles that guide you and your family through the host family experience. Host families should click on the button below and sign in to their AFS account to access information for every stage of hosting on topics such as school enrollment, student healthcare coverage, student adjustment, support and much more.
Host Family Resources
Help and Learning for Host Families
YES and FLEX Host Family Resources
Host families of YES and FLEX students will have access to Help & Learning and a local volunteer dedicated to supporting their hosting experience. These resources can provide additional information regarding sponsored programs such as:
- Student Stipends
- Enrichment Activities
- Monthly newsletters and surveys
- Religious resources
Event Family Information
If you are hosting an AFS student for a very short period of time, 7 nights or less, please log in to your AFS account and look for articles in Help & Learning about important contact information, medical coverage details and intercultural learning resources available to support your experience.
Participant Medical Information
AFS provides every participant with the Participant Medical Plan, an extensive secondary medical insurance to ensure that prompt, suitable medical treatment is given to any AFS participant anywhere in the world, whenever needed. If a participant gets unexpectedly hurt or ill while on an AFS program, AFS seeks to ensure that his or her participant medical expenses will be paid. The AFS Medical Plan responds to medical incidents and does not cover pre-existing conditions or preventative care such as routine vision and dental care checkups.
Support & Emergency
In the event of an emergency concerning an AFS participant please reach out to your local support volunteers. If you are unable to reach your local support volunteers contact AFS-USA using the contact information below:
Participant Support
Phone: 1-800-AFS-INFO, press 3
In case of an emergency involving a participant call 1-800-AFS-INFO, press 9*
*In the event of an after-hours emergency, this number will connect you to the Duty Officer.
Host Family Tax Deductions
Host families may claim a tax deduction of $50 per calendar month (15 days or more) for the time period in which you hosted your AFS student. This amount should be included on Schedule A of your Federal Income Tax return under Charitable Contributions, “Deductions other than cash” naming AFS-USA, Inc. and annotating the entry “Sec. 170(g) deduction”. This deduction only applies to those families who itemize rather than using the Standard Deduction.
