YFU Handbooks 2015 Family Handbook (Study Abroad) | Page 8

YFU USA National Office. Located in your National Office (the YFU USA National Office), Admissions Counselors conduct a variety of tasks to ensure your child's needs are met through the application and pre-departure process. Other staff members at the National Office provide support to your child through orientation development, travel logistics and by supporting the three Regional Offices located around the US. The YFU National Office address is: Youth For Understanding USA 641 S Street NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20001 USA Telephone (US)*: 1.800.424.3691 *This is a free call in the US. Regional Offices. YFU USA is divided into three regions, each with a Regional Office. The regions are: Eastern, Great Lakes and Western. Each Regional Office supports the students, families, volunteers, and schools located within the region through orientations, social activities, periodic phone calls and 24 hour availability in the case of emergencies. If you have concerns during your child's exchange, you should contact your Regional Office at 1.866.4.YFU. USA (1.866.493.8872). All Regional Office locations and contact information are listed in Appendix I. 8 - Study Abroad Family Handbook Local Area Representative. Your student's local Area Representative (Area Rep) is perhaps the most important YFU person s/he will know while in their host country. Your child's Area Rep will be the first person s/he should call when s/he needs support or help from YFU. Support Services Manager (SSM). If for some reason your child's Area Representative cannot help your child, and you are seeking support from YFU USA, please contact your Support Service Manager. This YFU USA staff member is available to assist you while your child is overseas. Your child's host country will reach out to your YFU USA SSM to communicate any issues that need to be addressed with parental involvement, or information needs to be shared with YFU USA. Your SSM also communicates with the YFU Partner Office in your child's host country if you, as parents, have any issues.