Protecting Our Children: Child Identification Programs

Have you heard these frightening statistics?
• Every day the FBI receives reports of 2000 missing children.
• The chance of a child becoming missing is 1 in 42.
• Every 40 seconds a child goes missing.
This is why the importance of a Child Identification Program cannot be stressed enough. Being able to move quickly and provide accurate information is the saving grace when a child is reported missing. This information can be expelled electronically within seconds to law enforcement agencies who will act immediately in getting the word out.
Many schools and daycares provide this type of program when school pictures are taken to enable the process. A current photo, fingerprints, and physical description is the basis for child identification cards. Providing a program for child identification is easy to set up and maintain. A simple computer program allows the user to electronically fingerprint and enter the pertinent information about the child, including emergency contact information, address, and any medical conditions in addition to the physical descriptions.
The child identification program provides the parent with two wallet sized ID cards, a file sized ID, and a CD ROM containing all the same information in a digital format. The program is operated through a private business that is responsible for obtaining a child's information, typically coordinated through a school. Many times parent-teacher organizations or local businesses will sponsor the child identification program in order to cover the costs involved and ensure that each child has an ID.
When local schools are unable to provide the child identification program, the parent can also order one individually. The programs are simple to use and do not require technical computer skills. Most law enforcement agencies recommend the annual update of a child ID, and prefer that all 10 fingers are printed, as opposed to simply one finger.
A child identification program is an important tool in protecting children today. The threats against young people are on the rise, and with the aforementioned statistics, it should sway any parent to provide this invaluable information. While many will never experience the anguish of a missing child, having an ID card will provide a faster way to communicate, especially when such a stressful situation is also bound to create confusion.