How long does it take for the wish to be granted?
Make-A-Wish Georgia will make every effort to grant your child’s wish within two years of your child’s qualification date. There are special circ*mstances that could mean the wish granting process takes longer. We could also have the ability to move the wish along much faster. In addition, we want you to know that waiting to be matched with Volunteer Wish Granters can take several months. Be sure to stay in contact with us, so we can keep you up to date on your child’s specific status.
What is a volunteer Wish Granter?
Volunteer Wish Granters are the volunteers who will meet with you and your child for a wish discovery visit. During the wish discovery visit, your child will have the opportunity to share his/her wish ideas and narrow down a first and second choice if there are multiple ideas. Volunteer Wish Granters will complete necessary forms to begin planning a wish. (If your child is not able to determine a wish during the visit, it is okay. We Will follow up with you and your child to continue those discussions.) Make-A-Wish Georgia staff will then follow up with the family for additional paperwork and information.
How are volunteer Wish Granters assigned?
All Volunteer Wish Granters go through a screening and vetting process. They must pass a background check, complete a conflict of interest form and attend Volunteer Wish Granting training. Once they meet these requirements they sign up for your child as a pair, taking into consideration language, geography and experience.
How does my child choose a wish?
The Idea Book can be found on the Wish Family Welcome Page. This allows him/her to begin thinking of wish ideas and noting them down. When the Volunteer Wish Granters meet you for the wish discovery visit, they will ask your child about his/her ideas as well as what he/she imagines as details for the wish.
What are the types of wishes?
Wishes tend to fall into four categories: Wish to Be, Wish to Have, Wish to Go, Wish to Meet. We have also seen ideas around Wish to Give. If your child’s wish doesn’t fall into any of these categories, please still share it and we will discuss options. It is always best to share several wish ideas in case one particular wish idea is not possible. The Idea Book can help guide your conversation with your child about wish ideas.
Are there any restrictions on a wish?
Each wish is reviewed individually and is as unique as each child. We cannot grant wishes for vehicles (cars, etc), homes, firearms or cash. There are age restrictions for certain wish types. There are also restrictions on travel to countries with U.S. State Department travel advisories. Wish restrictions will be communicated to you as they become relevant.
What if we are not ready to move forward with the wish process?
The wish process can be placed on an elective hold (for up to 1 year) if you are not yet ready to move forward with the wish process due to your child’s current medical treatments or other family situations that need priority attention. This hold is essentially a pause in the process and will be for a specified time period upon review by Make-A-Wish Georgia staff. You can discuss this option with our team at any point in the process.
Is there a cost?
Families never need to contribute cash in order to receive a wish. Covered expenses will be outlined and explained to you when the wish is approved and, in some cases, spending money to use on the wish experience is provided by Make-A-Wish Georgia.
Do I need to show proof of income or immigration status?
We do not ask for any proof of income or immigration status. However, immigration status may impact your ability to travel so please keep that in consideration when discussing wish ideas with your child.
What approvals are needed for a wish?
There are several layers of approval required for a wish to take place:
- Both biological parents of the child must provide a signature allowing a wish to be granted. Exceptions are made when one parent is deceased or whereabouts are unknown as well as if the child is in foster care or under legal guardianship of another adult. We will review all situations on a case-by-case basis.
- Make-A-Wish Georgia staff reviews every wish request and will approve a wish that is within our guidelines.
- The child’s medical team will also review the wish and must approve that it is medically safe for the child. If a particular wish cannot be granted due to guidelines or medical concerns, your child will be given opportunity to select a new wish. Please note that guidelines vary among the many chapters of Make-A-Wish and can change at any time. Approval guidelines will be communicated to you as they become relevant.
Who can take part in a wish?
Generally, the wish child can include 2 adults and siblings who are under 18 years old and live in the wish child’s home to be part of the wish experience. If the child requires nursing care, a nurse may be considered based on recommendation of the child’s medical team.
What if my child is not able to communicate verbally?
If you share that your child does not communicate verbally, we will send you a Communication Profile for you to complete and send back to us. This will allow us to better understand how your child communicates and some of his/her interests. We will also send a Communication Profile to be completed by a professional who is familiar with how your child communicates. This can be a doctor, teacher or social worker. We ask for the child to still be present during the wish discovery visit, and we understand that you will likely be speaking on behalf of your child in determining a wish. At least one Volunteer Wish Granter at your wish discovery visit will be trained to communicate with children who are nonverbal.
