My name is David Westgate and I am the Home Stay Director of a program called Ivy Bridge Group. We provide the full care and support for children while they study in the United states on F-1 Visa's in private schools. We also provide care for breaks from boarding schools, short-term hosting for vacations, tours, English Immersion and more!

IBG is NOT an agency, as it is designed to work with agencies and families all over the world. The IBG Corporate headquarters is in Connecticut and IBG is now known nationwide and throughout the world for the care and support we offer children who study in American schools or simply wish to have an immersion experience. Our organization also acts as the legal guardians for the children while they study in America so that all State and Federal laws regarding children are strictly followed.

We work with schools AND host families to provide the best support and care for children when they study in America either short term or for 2, 3 or 4 years of high school. Some of our children have even started our schools as young as 12.

Our organization has 20 schools on the East Coast, and we have Team Leaders located throughout New England to support the needs of host families, children and the schools.  Currently, we are seeking host families in your area for children who will attend a local private high school.

Not only does the IBG program include the following support for our schools, families and agencies, the program also brings REAL financial benefits to local schools, families, businesses and communities.  Here are just a few examples of the full support of IBG:

1. Full time staff members paid by IBG by salary, not as an "independent contractor"

2. Full licensing with the State and Federal Government to do business in the United States

3. Full licensing to run criminal background checks on host families to ensure the safety of the children while living in America

4. Full access 24 hours a day 7 days a week to staff members in case of an emergency. ALL host families, schools, children and agencies have my personal cell phone, email and Instant Messenger contact information, or a Team Leader's number, whichever is the best for the area.

5. Team Leaders within local school areas

a. These are PAID employees of IBG and are available at any time to assist the students, schools or host families

b. They are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week in case of emergencies

c. They report directly to the Director with any challenges or needs of the student, school or host family

d. ALL challenges are resolved within hours of a situation to ensure no problem can escalate out of control

6. Education Director

a. Full monitoring of student grades and progress with guidance counselors and school officials

b. Academic evaluation if a child is struggling in any subject

c. Full Academic Assistance for subjects when needed (paid service by a professional top trainer in the organization)

d. Quarterly reports submitted to each agency with the child's report card, host family status, scholastic status and any comments from the Director if necessary

7. Short-Term hosting options

a. IBG offers short-term hosting when necessary. This is usually used for children who are in boarding schools and need a short-term hosting option during a school break or vacation.

8. Guardianship programs

a. This is used if IBG is not a part of a specific school, but an agency needs a HOST family in a specific area

b. IBG will offer the student, agency, host family and school all of the services of the regular IBG Program, but is not responsible for the actual placement into the school

I look forward to hearing from you. You can email me at [email protected] for more detailed information on the hosting opportunities with IBG or to learn more about the company.

Sincerely,

David Westgate