Rule and Procedure Table of Contents
a) PURPOSE | b) WHO COMPLETES IT | c) INSTRUCTIONS
a) PURPOSE |
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The purpose of this form is to establish a standardized format for the recording of critical child-specific information that may be used by law enforcement, national agencies, and caseworkers to locate and expedite the return of missing, runaway or abducted Department wards.
b) WHO COMPLETES IT |
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Department and purchase of service agency caseworkers complete the form as a component of the child's placement package and case file. The form is reviewed and updated annually or when there is a change in the child's placement or identifying information. The child's current photograph shall be attached to the form, updated annually and as needed.
c) INSTRUCTIONS |
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Sections I through V are completed within 30 days of initial placement, reviewed annually and updated as necessary. Sections VI through X are completed if the child runs, is missing or abducted. Section XI is completed at the time the returned child is debriefed.
SECTION I CASEWORKER AND PLACEMENT INFORMATION
1-4) Enter the caseworker's name, office address, office telephone number, and after hours telephone number.
5-9) Enter the type of placement (e.g., foster care, group home, etc.), provider name, address, telephone and emergency telephone numbers.
SECTION II CHILD'S INFORMATION
1) Enter the child's name.
2-3) Enter the child's sex and date of birth.
4) Enter other names used by the child.
5-9) Enter the child's race, hair color, eye color, weight and height.
10) Enter the child's social security number.
11) Enter the child's drivers license number, if applicable.
12) Enter any medical conditions the child may have.
13) Enter the names of the medications the child is taking.
14-16) Enter the name, address and telephone number of the child's school.
17) Describe the child's interests.
18) Enter child's special communication needs/language preference.
19-21) Enter employer's name, address and telephone number, if applicable.
SECTION III BIRTH PARENT INFORMATION
1-3) Enter the father's name, address and telephone number.
4-6) Enter the mother's name, address and telephone number.
7) Enter parents' special communication needs/language preference.
SECTION IV FRIENDS AND RELATIVES INFORMATION
Enter the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the child's friends and relatives.
SECTION V VEHICLE INFORMATION
This section is completed if the youth owns or has access to a vehicle.
1-5) Enter the model, make, year, color, and license plate number of the youth's vehicle.
6) If the vehicle is not registered in the youth's name, enter the name and address to which the vehicle is registered.
SECTION VI RUNAWAY, MISSING, ABDUCTED CHILD
This section is to be completed if the child runs, is missing or abducted.
1) Enter the date the child disappeared.
2) Enter the location where the child was last seen.
3) Describe the circumstances surrounding the child's disappearance.
4) Enter yes or no.
5) If yes to number 4, describe the circumstances surrounding the last incident.
6) Describe how the child was located.
SECTION VII ENDANGERED RUNAWAY CHILD CRITERIA
This section is to be completed if the child runs, is missing or abducted. The information will be used to document that the ward is endangered.
SECTION VIII PERSONS WHO MAY BE WITH THE CHILD (IF KNOWN)
Enter known names, addresses, aliases, physical descriptions and social security numbers of individuals the missing youth may be with.
SECTION IX INCIDENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
1. Department
See Procedures 329 (Reporting and Locating Missing, Runaway and
Abducted Children) and Procedures 331 (Unusual Incidents Involving Department Clients, Employees and Facilities) for detailed information.
2. Law Enforcement
The child's caseworker shall immediately notify the local law enforcement agency where the runaway, missing or abducted child resides. This action shall be documented by entering the police department's name, address and telephone number; the name of the officer taking the report; the NCIC number; and the date the report was made.
In accordance with the National Child Search Assistance Act [42 USC Sections 5779,5780] no federal, state, or local law enforcement agency shall establish or observe a waiting period before accepting a missing child case.
3. Child Find of America (CFA), 1-800-426-5678
The child's caseworker shall verbally notify CFA after filing a missing child report with the local law enforcement agency. CFA will send the caseworker a Runaway Registration Form. The completed form is notarized and returned with a clear, recent photograph of the youth. The child's photograph will be published on the CFA website and posters that are distributed nationally. The child's name and identifying information will be published with their photograph, but the child will not be identified as a ward of the Department.
4. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 1-800-843-5678
After the caseworker has filed a missing child report with the local police, the caseworker shall contact the NCMEC and report the runaway. The NCMEC will require information contained on the Child Identification Form including whether the child is an endangered runaway (Missing wards will be considered endangered runaways.). The NCMEC will fax the caseworker an information questionnaire regarding the runaway. The form is to be completed immediately and faxed back to the NCMEC. The caseworker will also receive a consent form to permit distribution of the child's photograph. The caseworker may sign the consent form. Upon receipt of the consent and the child's photograph, the NCMEC will publish the child's photograph on its website and posters that are distributed nationally. The child's name and identifying information will be published with their photograph, but the child will not be identified as a ward of the Department.
When the child is found, the caseworker shall notify the local law enforcement agency, Child Find of America and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
SECTION X SIGNATURES
The child's caseworker shall sign and date the form after completing reporting and documentation requirements. The worker's supervisor shall review the form and provide any required case consultation prior to affixing his or her signature.
SECTION XI DEBRIEFING THE RETURNED CHILD
Information obtained from the child upon his or her return will assist the caseworker in:
· understanding those factors/problems contributing to the child running away;
· the identification of services required by the child to deal with immediate problems and lessen the likelihood of recurrences; and
· developing information about the child's survival patterns which may be useful in locating the child should there be a recurrence.
Information provided by the child concerning existing dangers in the community to at risk children, identities of individuals or groups who may be engaged in child exploitation, street crimes, locations of potentially dangerous people, victimization and drugs shall be shared with law enforcement.