In addition to our staff in the U.S., For This Child maintains a fully staffed bilingual office in Guatemala City.  This office provides the U.S. office with excellent communication about your case and allows FTC to address any issues that might arise promptly and efficiently.
 

In late 2004, after experiencing foster care that did not meet our standard, FTC broke from the mold of relying on the Guatemalan attorney to provide baby foster care and medical care.  FTC now hires and trains its own foster mothers.  Under the management of an educated, bilingual, foster mother manager, our foster mothers provide loving foster care with a strict caregiver ratio of 1:1.  Our foster mothers attend mandatory training sessions on subjects such as tummy time, infant stimulation, etc.  Because our expectations are very high, we pay our foster mothers very well.  It is this model that allows us to promise only the best care.
 

All of our babies are seen only by an English speaking well-trained physician who provides prompt reports every thirty days throughout your adoption. Our physician knows that if he has any medical concern, even a small one, the baby is to go for a specialist consult immediately.  As an adoptive parent in our program, you are welcome to communicate directly with your baby's Guatemalan pediatrician.
 

Every baby who comes into care receives a complete battery of medical testing that meets U.S. standards, instead of the minimum requirements common in most Guatemalan adoption cases.  Why?  Because it's readily available in Guatemala, it can be done, and should be done.
 

You will receive a minimum of twice-monthly photo updates of your baby.  Most months you will receive more.
 

Our foster mother manager will make unscheduled, surprise visits to your foster mother's home every 6 weeks or so.  During this time, she will inspect, among other things, the home environment, to be sure that it meets our high standards.  She will take photographs during her surprise visits.  You will receive copies of these reports by email.
 

We have a strict policy that all babies receive only premium, U.S. grade formulas, and have a system in place to prevent any deviation from this requirement.SS 
 

FTC's executive director follows every case and the entire US staff is available any time to answer your questions.  But you will also be assigned your own case manager, who will follow your case most closely.
 

Every member of our staff in the U.S. is an adoptive parent in addition to an adoption professional.  Some of us have children from Guatemala, while others have children from other countries.  We think this helps us serve you better.