Resources for the Families of Missing Children

Last week, we provided information on non-profit organizations that help the missing and their families. This is part two of "Resources for the Families of Missing Children," which will provide informative guides, listing of governmental agencies, and important links to help families cope with a missing child emergency.

Other Resources for the families of the missing:
This section highlights helpful links and guides that will help parents find resources for support and the next steps. The information below is from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Report, May 2004.

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC):
OVC makes awards each year to state crime victim compensation and assistance programs to supplement state funding for victim services. Crime victim compensation is the direct payment to a crime victim or to his or her family to help cover crime-related expenses, such as medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, or funeral services. Every state administers a crime victim compensation program, and most programs have similar eligibility requirements and offer a comparable range of benefits.

Crime victim assistance programs provide direct services, such as crisis intervention, counseling, emergency transportation to court, temporary housing, and criminal justice support and advocacy. For information about these programs, contact your local crime victim compensation or crime victim assistance program.

Contact Information:
Office for Victims of Crime
Office of Justice Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
810 Seventh Street NW.
Washington, DC 20531
202-307-5983
202-514-6383 (Fax)
Internet: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/

Missing Children's Clearinghouses:
Missing children's clearinghouses are state government agencies connected with law enforcement. Because the types of services available in each state vary substantially, you need to call your state clearinghouse to find out both what services are available to help you in your search and whether the clearinghouse will distribute photographs of your missing child. Then, you can call other state clearinghouses in your region and throughout the nation to compare services and take advantage of those not available to you in-state. Do not forget to keep a list of what you learn about each clearinghouse in a spiral notebook for later use. Please contact your state's investigative bureau for more information or click here and scroll to the "Missing Children's Clearing Houses" title.

When Your Child is Missing, A Family Survival Guide:
This Guide was written by parents and family members who have experienced the disappearance of a child. It contains their combined advice concerning what you can expect when your child is missing, what you can do, and where you can go for help. It explains the role that various agencies and organizations play in the search for your missing child and discusses some of the important issues that you and your family need to consider.

To view the complete survival guide, please click here.

Important Links:

• NCMEC, 800–THE–LOST® (800–843–5678)
• Association of Missing and Exploited Children's Organizations, Inc.
• Child Find of America, 1-800-I-AM-LOST
• National Runaway Switchboard, 1-800-Runaway