TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Last updated: October 18, 2026
Welcome to Behind the Smile. Behind the Smile is a Washington state nonprofit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We provide parent-to-parent education, practical resources, care packages, and community for families affected by cleft lip and/or palate.
These terms explain how you may use our website, course, resources, and programs.
1. Assent and acceptance
By using this Website, the Subscriber agrees to comply with all of the terms and conditions contained herein in full. If the Subscriber doesn't agree with any of the terms and conditions mentioned herein, the Subscriber must not use this Website.
2. Age restriction
The Subscriber must be at least 13 year(s) of age to use this Website. By using this Website, the Subscriber represents and warrants that the Subscriber is at least 13 year(s) of age and may legally agree to this Agreement.
3. Education and support
Our content is for general education and peer support. It draws on research, family experiences, and information from other sources, but it does not provide individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Behind the Smile is not a healthcare provider. Using our resources or communicating with us does not establish a healthcare-provider relationship.
Every child’s needs are different. Consult your child’s cleft team or another qualified healthcare professional about feeding, products, treatment, surgery, and other medical decisions. Do not disregard professional advice or delay seeking care because of something you read or hear through Behind the Smile.
Our website, email, and community groups are not monitored for emergencies.
4. Course access and accounts
The Early Cleft Years Course is currently free. You do not need to donate, sponsor a care package, or receive a physical package to access it.
Registration may be required. Please provide accurate information and protect your account credentials.
There is no scheduled expiration on your course access. Access depends on the course and hosting platform remaining available. We may update, reorganize, or discontinue content and cannot guarantee permanent availability or uninterrupted access.
The course is intended for family education. It does not award professional certification or continuing-education credit.
5. Using and sharing our resources
Website and course materials are owned by Behind the Smile or used with permission from their owners.
You may view our content and download or print resources that we make available for that purpose for your personal and household use. You are welcome to share links to our public pages.
Unless permitted by law or authorized in writing, you may not copy, record, republish, sell, or distribute our course videos or other protected content. Do not share account credentials publicly or use our materials to create another course or commercial product.
Family photographs, videos, and stories require particular care. Please follow our Photo Policy and obtain permission before reusing them.
6. Cleft Care Packages
Care packages are available to families expecting or caring for a baby with a cleft lip and/or palate, with a limit of one Behind the Smile Cleft Care Package per household. We currently ship within the United States only.
Packages are free. Any requested contribution toward packaging, shipping, or other program expenses is optional and does not affect eligibility or priority.
Submitting a request places your household on our waitlist. It does not guarantee a package or a delivery date. Availability depends on funding and supplies.
Contents and clothing sizes may vary with availability. Follow product instructions and your child’s care team’s recommendations when choosing and using feeding supplies.
Please provide an accurate shipping address and email us if it changes or your household no longer needs a package. Contact us about missing, damaged, or incorrect items so we can review what happened and discuss available options.
7. Donations and sponsorships
Donations support Behind the Smile’s mission, programs, and operating expenses, consistent with any purpose stated when the contribution is made.
A care-package sponsorship supports a package for a recipient family and the expenses of operating the program. Sponsorship does not purchase a package for the sponsor or provide access to a recipient’s personal information.
Contributions are processed through third-party payment services, including Zeffy. Review the amount and any optional platform contribution before submitting payment.
If you make a duplicate or mistaken contribution, contact us promptly. We will review your request and any available correction or refund in accordance with applicable law and the payment provider’s procedures.
Contributions to Behind the Smile, a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax adviser regarding the deductibility of your specific contribution.
8. Community participation
Our community groups provide peer support. Please treat others respectfully, protect their privacy, and avoid harassment, unsolicited promotion, or sharing another person’s messages, photographs, or identifying information without permission.
Community members speak for themselves. Their experiences and suggestions are not individualized medical advice or endorsements by Behind the Smile.
We may remove content or restrict participation to address misuse, protect members, or enforce these terms. Groups are not continuously monitored, and we cannot guarantee that every participant will maintain confidentiality.
9. Photos, testimonials, and messages
Sending us a message, requesting a package, or joining a program does not give us blanket permission to publish your story or photographs.
We seek separate permission before using identifiable testimonials, photographs, or stories publicly or sharing them with supporters. Any permission is limited to the uses agreed upon.
10. Third-party services and availability
Our website may link to or use third-party websites, payment services, video services, community platforms, and product providers. Their services are subject to their own terms and privacy practices.
We aim to provide useful, accurate resources, but information may become outdated or may not apply to your family. We cannot guarantee a particular result, product availability, or uninterrupted website access.
To the extent permitted by law, Behind the Smile is not liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from use of the website or resources. Nothing in these terms excludes liability or limits rights that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
11. Privacy, updates, and applicable law
Our Privacy Policy and Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy explain how we handle personal information. Accepting these terms does not replace any separate consent required for a particular use of your information.
We may update these terms and will revise the date above. Material changes will be communicated as required by law.
Washington law governs these terms, subject to any mandatory protections that apply where you live. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply.
12. Contact
For questions about these terms, course access, care packages, or contributions, email: marina@behindthesmile.org