Shay Bilchik, Administrator FACT SHEET #32 October 1995. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by Ronald Laney The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974, Public Law 93-415, as amended by the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984, establishes a Missing and Exploited Children Program in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). In addition to authorizing assistance for research, demonstration, and service programs, the Missing Children's Assistance Act authorizes the use of Federal resources to establish and support a national resource center and clearinghouse dedicated to missing and exploited children issues. Since April 1984 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has worked in partnership with OJJDP to carry out the following statutorily mandated functions: 1 Establish a toll-free hotline 2. Provide technical assistance to parents, law enforcement and other agencies working on missing and exploited children issues 3. Promote information sharing and provide technical assistance by networking with regional non-profit organizations, State clearinghouses, and law enforcement agencies 4. Develop publications that contain practical, timely information 5. Provide information regarding programs offering free or low-cost transportation services that assist in reuniting children with their families. NCMEC's activities and accomplishments include:  The NCMEC toll-free hotline (1-800-843-5678) has received over 905,000 calls ranging from requests for publications and technical assistance to sighting reports of missing children. Substantive information is immediately forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency. NCMEC hotline staff coordinate lodging and transportation assistance for families traveling for the purpose of reunification with their children. NCMEC works with corporations to provide no cost lodging and transportation to families unable to pay for these services.  NCMEC is electronically linked with 46 State- level missing children clearinghouses. Information and images can be transmitted instantly through this on-line network. NCMEC promotes active information exchange with State clearinghouses and provides pictures of missing children, lead information for local law enforcement, and responses to technical information requests. Upon request, NCMEC will provide training for clearinghouse staff.  Through a network of 460 private sector partners, NCMEC disseminates millions of photographs of missing children. ADVO, Inc. alone distributes more than 57 million pictures of missing children to households on a weekly basis. One in seven children featured has been recovered. PIP Printing, working with NCMEC, has supplied millions of missing children fliers at no cost to searching parents.  Through advanced imaging technology, NCMEC "age progresses" photographs of children who have been missing for two years or more to generate new leads. At least 11 children have been recovered as a result of this technology.  In long-term cases, NCMEC provides analytical services that include a behavioral analysis to enhance the evaluation of leads taken by the hotline for consistency with suspect behavior. Leads can be grouped geographically for cluster analysis.  NCMEC provides advice and technical assistance to law enforcement professionals in such areas as conducting interviews, obtaining search warrants, and collecting evidence. Through link analysis techniques, NCMEC identifies cases that exhibit common denominators and facilitates communication between law enforcement agencies.  NCMEC has developed a substantial publication list related to missing and exploited children issues. Subjects range from advice for parents selecting babysitters to a Case in Point series, designed for distribution to criminal justice professionals that examines case histories of convicted serial child molesters. Thousands of NCMEC's Missing and Abducted Children: A Law Enforcement Guide to Case Investigation and Program Management have been distributed to Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel.  NCMEC maintains an active liaison with state and local private non-profit organizations that provide direct local services regarding missing and exploited children issues. NCMEC maintains a list of non- profit organizations located throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. This list is made available to individuals seeking information regarding resources that may assist them with a missing or exploited child incident. NCMEC has also developed a publication, Non-profit Service Provider's Handbook, for individuals considering starting a missing children's service organization.  In partnership with thirteen national law enforcement associations, NCMEC coordinates the services of volunteer, retired police officers through Project ALERT. Volunteers must be nominated by their respective association and then complete an intensive, specialized course that builds on their investigative expertise. Using Project ALERT volunteers, NCMEC provides on-site assistance to local police in complex missing and exploited children cases.  NCMEC has developed a case management software package for dissemination to state clearinghouses and law enforcement agencies to facilitate case management. The software allows agencies to load their individual data, ensuring appropriate investigative steps and procedures are carried out.  NCMEC provides training to medical facility personnel regarding infant abduction. This training is designed to promote awareness and to prompt self- assessment by nursing and security staff regarding facility security procedures. Training also includes abductor behavioral profiles and practical recommendations for prevention.  NCMEC has developed a comprehensive safety curriculum Kids and Company: Together for Safety. This curriculum, designed for grades kindergarten through 6, was developed for use by teachers, parents, and children to help prevent abuse and abduction. The package includes activity sheets, games, visual aids, and training tapes.  Under a recently completed interagency agreement, NCMEC processes in-coming Hague Convention cases for the Department of State. Under the agreement, NCMEC assists in locating children illegally removed from other countries to the United States and facilitates U. S. Hague visitation access or their return to the custodial parent. These varied activities reflect the aggressive use of NCMEC's resources to prevent abductions and facilitate the return of missing and exploited children. The OJJDP/NCMEC partnership, now entering its thirteenth year, demonstrates sustained commitment to preserving America's families. In addition, under a contract with the National Alzheimer's Association, NCMEC operates the Safe Return Program. This program serves as a registry and hotline (1-800-572-1122) for Alzheimer's patients. Safe Return facilitates the return of Alzheimer's victims to their caregivers by providing identification information through the toll free hot line. For further information about NCMEC or OJJDP's Missing and Exploited Children Program, please contact: John Rabun, Jr. Chief Operating Officer National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 550 Arlington, Virginia 22201 (703) 235-3900 or Ronald Laney Director Missing and Exploited Children Program Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 633 Indiana Avenue, NW., Room 550 Washington, D.C. 20531 (202) 616-3637 Ronald Laney serves as the Director of the Missing and Exploited Children Program within the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. FS-9532