The NCMEC was designed as a national center of communication, technical assistance, training, prevention, education, coordination, and public awareness. The communication center operates a hotline, provides various services in addition to the intake of case information, and is a starting point and focus of much of the center's activities. Technical assistance functions of the NCMEC include disseminating lead information on a missing child to law enforcement agencies, instructing the caller on how to file a missing persons report and how to work with the police and missing children service providers, and instructing law enforcement on proper case handling methods. A critical step in the technical assistance process is the training of professionals who handle missing and exploited children cases. Because families and parents represent the first line of defense against abductors and molesters, teaching parents how to protect their children and to recognize signs of sexual exploitation is an important center goal. The NCMEC disseminates information about missing children in ways beyond its publication distribution and training programs. A vital link between the center and the public is the Media Department which informs the media on missing and exploited children and the status of endangered runaways, victims of parental kidnaping and nonfamily abduction, and children used by pornographers and pimps. The NCMEC coordinates with nonprofit organizations serving missing and exploited children, State agencies, and other Federal agencies. 6 endnotes.