Child ID Station

According to the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children, child abductions occur every 43 seconds in America with 800,000 children reported missing a year. Child Identification Kits are a simple, yet effective method in helping parents and guardians maintain a current description about their children such as fingerprints, records, picture, and DNA. By having a Child ID Station at your church, you can help ease the concern of worried parents and guardians.

Steps

• Order the ID kits – for a small fee – through the National Child Identification Program website. www.childidprogram.com/order-now?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=18&category_id=6 The kits are also distributed free at select college football games. Check with your local FBI office www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field for more information. Contact your local police department to see if they provide free child identification kits.
• Set a time and date for the Child ID Station. Consider having it as part of another church event such as the Fall Festival, Back-to-School Festival, sport events, etc.
• Get the word out, especially to parents in your church. Ask parents and children to spread the word to other parents and their peers. Ask permission to post flyers at local businesses.
• On the day of the event, have greeters stationed at the door/building. Plan fun activities for children while they wait.

Tips

• The FBI usually works with the National Night Out organization in the beginning of August to distribute free ID kits. www.nationalnightout.org.