Wakulla County School Distict Supports National Child Identification Program 

Wakulla County School District is participating in the National Child Identification Program to help protect Wakulla’s children. Superintendent Miller cites FBI stats, “With over 800,000 children missing every year, our children’s safety is a key concern to all parents.” The National Child Identification Program is the largest child identification effort conducted helping protect more than 14 million children in the past five years. The I.D. Kit includes an inkless fingerprint kit, wallet card, ID card and DNA collection swab. They will be distributed to all Wakulla students the last week of school. David Miller urges parents to participate in the program. He adds, “Our most vulnerable citizens are our children. This ID Kit provides a clean inkless fingerprint kit that you use and keep in your own home.”  (Superintendent Miller distributes I.D. Kits to help protect Wakulla’s children.  Pictured left to right:  Superintendent David Miller with Crawfordville Elementary students: Taylor Register, Hunter Register, Nicholas Register and Kerri Sanders)

•    800,000 are missing every year. That is one child every 40 seconds.
•    400,000 run away from home.
•    300,000 are abducted by family members.
•    50,000 are abducted by non-family members.

The resounding success of the National Child Identification Program is due in large part to the dedicated partners and sponsors including, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), The Florida Sheriffs Association, The Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Stoppers USA, National Night Out and Best Western Hotels. Bill Montford, President of FADSS, Superintendent David Miller, Safety Coordinator Jim Griner, FSU and FAMU Football Coaches will help distribute these materials to Wakulla’s students. FSU Coach Bobby Bowden said, “Less than 2% of parents have a copy of their child’s fingerprints in case of emergency. By participating in this program you can help protect your child.”

The ID Kit is maintained by the parent and in the time of need can be provided to law enforcement agencies to help locate the missing child. Prevention always starts at home. Emergency Tips for Parents:

•    Immediately report your child missing to The Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office.
•    Limit access to your home until law enforcement arrives and has the opportunity to collect possible evidence.
•    Provide investigators with a completed fingerprint ID Kit including your child’s picture and physical description, doctor information and DNA collection envelope.
•    To find out more information about what children should be taught and what parents should know go to:  www.childidprogram.com.

- Submitted by Karen Wells, Director, Human Resources/Risk Management 

This article originally published on May 17, 2007.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

---