For families considering an application for surgery, an important question is: What happens after we apply? At Little Baby Face Foundation, the process begins with a confidential online application. Once it is submitted, our medical team reviews each child’s information individually to determine whether we may be able to provide care.
What happens after an application reaches our medical team?
We want families to know that they do not have to determine their child’s eligibility before applying.
After a family completes our confidential online application, our medical team reviews the child’s information individually. As part of this review, we consider factors such as the family’s current access to quality care, the child’s condition and its cause, the opportunity for functional improvement, surgical risk factors, and other information relevant to the child’s needs. The purpose of that review is to determine whether Little Baby Face Foundation may be able to provide care.
We understand that families may have questions before they apply. They may wonder whether their child qualifies or whether their needs are a fit for our organization. The application process is designed to give our medical team the opportunity to make that determination based on the information a family provides.
Submitting an application begins the review process. It does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, surgery, or a particular outcome.
Why does LBFF review every child individually?
One thing we want families to understand is that every application receives an individual review. Our medical team looks at the information submitted for that child to determine whether LBFF may be able to provide care.
Through our conversations with families, we know that uncertainty can make taking the first step feel difficult. A parent may be wondering, “Should we even apply?” or “How do we know if our child is eligible?”
Our answer is to start with the application. Providing the requested information allows our medical team to conduct its review rather than placing the responsibility for determining eligibility on the family.
What families should remember: You do not need to decide whether your child is eligible before you apply. Our medical team reviews each child’s information individually after the confidential online application is submitted.
What can families expect from the application process?
As we help families navigate this process, our goal is to make the first step as clear as possible.
The process begins online with our confidential application. After submission, our medical team reviews the child’s information to determine whether Little Baby Face Foundation may be able to provide care.
We also want families to understand what the application does not mean. Applying does not guarantee that a child will be accepted for care, receive surgery, or experience a particular outcome.
If a child is accepted for care, Little Baby Face Foundation provides care at no cost to the family. Our world-class volunteer surgeons donate their expertise, and we cover critical expenses associated with care, including operating room fees, anesthesia, travel, and lodging.
What should families do if they are unsure about applying?
We encourage families who are unsure about eligibility to begin with our confidential online application rather than trying to make that determination on their own.
We recognize that reaching out for care can come with many questions. That is why one thing we often emphasize is the importance of starting with the information we can confidently provide: complete the application, provide the requested information, and allow our medical team to review it.
For a step-by-step look at getting started, families can also read How to Apply for Free Reconstructive Surgery with Little Baby Face Foundation.
Want to learn more about how facial differences can affect everyday functions? Read our previous blog, When a Child Has Breathing or Feeding Challenges Linked to a Facial Difference, to learn more about breathing and feeding challenges families may encounter.
Ready to take the first step? Apply through our confidential online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need to know whether our child is eligible before applying?
No. Families do not need to determine eligibility themselves. We encourage families to complete our confidential online application so our medical team can review the child’s information individually and determine whether LBFF may be able to provide care.
Does submitting an application guarantee surgery?
No. An application begins our review process. It does not guarantee eligibility, acceptance, surgery, or a particular outcome. Our medical team reviews each child’s submitted information individually.
What happens after we submit an application?
After an application is submitted, our medical team reviews the child’s information individually to determine whether Little Baby Face Foundation may be able to provide care.
