Application Guidelines

APPLICANTS
Applicants (the families requesting beds) must have demonstrated a desire and initiative to improve their personal situations. Our hope is to provide assistance to families who are most likely to see Secret Smiles’ gift as an act of kindness that they can “pay forward” rather than a handout. Applicants CANNOT apply directly for assistance (see Instructions below).

REFERRAL CONTACTS
The referring agency/person must have an ongoing relationship with the applicant and be able to serve as a reliable reference and intermediary for the applicant. Referrals can come from social workers, teachers, pastors, or any representative of a social service agency or non-profit organization who has an ongoing relationship with the applicant.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Only families with children in need will be accepted. Due to limited resources, Secret Smiles generally does not provide beds to adults.
2. A working phone number for the applicant must be provided.
3. The applicant must have permanent housing and be in a stable living environment.
4. The applicant’s home/apartment must be bed bug free for at least 2 months.
BEDS/BEDDING PROVIDED
1. In general, Secret Smiles provides for children, including twin beds and convertible cribs for babies (ages 2 and younger). If a child is extremely large, a full bed may be requested. Bedding is also provided for all beds.
2. Secret Smiles does NOT provide bunk beds, queen beds or toddler beds.
3. Guardrails may be requested if needed for toddlers who receive a twin bed.

Application Instructions

All applicants who need beds for their children must work with someone who will serve as a referral for them. They cannot apply to Secret Smiles directly.

The referral contact person needs to complete the following steps as part of Secret Smiles of Dayton’s bed application process:

Complete information on the form below.
Assist the applicant in completing a letter to submit with this form.
By submitting an application, the referral contact person agrees to be the main point of contact in providing assistance to the applicant, including coordinating delivery of beds and other items.
Please refer to the Secret Smiles Application Guidelines above before submitting an application.

Referral Contact Name

First Name

Last Name

Title

Name of Agency/Organization

Phone

Website

How long has Referral Contact known Applicant?

Applicant

First Name

Last Name

Name of Parent(s)

Address

City/State/Zip code

How long living at that address?

Phone Number(s)

Beds needed for Children?

Child Name/Age/Type of bed requested – crib, twin, full

Provide background regarding family and how this assistance will benefit them (e.g., what are their personal circumstances, how is the Applicant parent coping under the circumstances, what kind of effort is she/he making to get back on track, do the children have any special needs, etc.) If possible, please provide examples.

Has the Applicant’s home/apt. been free of bed bugs for at least 2 months? (If not, please explain why and what plans are being made to remove the pests.)

Yes

Has the Applicant ever applied for assistance from Secret Smiles in the past? (If so, please provide details.)

Yes

Personal Letter: Applicants are asked to write Secret Smiles a letter to let us know about their personal situations, including why they need beds for your family and help from Secret Smiles. We are interested in knowing more about their hopes and dreams, where they live and work, their children, personal education plans and accomplishments and/or those of their children, any volunteer activities, etc.

Letter can be written with help from the Referral Contact Person