Kidcare
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We think your should know about an important service we provide to help safeguard the children in our community. It's called a Kidcare Photo ID, and is a part of the national campaign by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to increase awareness about missing children and to educate families about the steps they can take to help protect their children.
The purpose of the Kidcare Photo ID service is to provide parents with a free standardized, high quality instant photo of their child in an ID booklet where they can also maintain statistics. The Kidcare Photo ID provides parents with information necessary to have handy if their child is ever lost or abducted.
We invite you to participate in the Kidcare Photo ID program at your preschool or the Berthoud Fire Protection District, where your child will be provided a free ID.
No one likes to think it can happen to them, but over ONE MILLION children are reported missing each year. Authorities say the single most important tool in helping to find a missing child is a good quality photograph. In fact, one in seven missing children featured in a NCMEC photo distribution program are recovered because of that photograph.
Of course nearly all parents have photographs of their children, but most do not have suitable photographs for release to law enforcement officials and the press should their child become missing. The type of photo that is needed is an unobstructed head and shoulders view of the child alone, which we will be providing to parents. Parents keep the only photo that we take.
Share these 7 Rules for Safety with your children:
- Before I go anywhere, I always check first with my parents or the person in charge. I tell them where I am going, how I will get there, who will be going with me, and when I'll be back.
- I check first for permission from my parents/guardian before getting into a car or leaving with anyone, even someone I know. I check first before changing plans or accepting money, gifts, or drugs without my parent/guardian's knowledge.
- It is safer for me to be with other people when going places of playing outside. I always use the "buddy system."
- I say NO if someone tries to touch me in ways that make me feel frightened, uncomfortable or confused. Then I go and tell a grown-up I trust what happened.
- I know it is not my fault if someone touches me in a way that is not O.K. I don't have to keep secrets about those touches.
- I trust my feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are too big for me to handle on my own. A lot of people care about me and will listen and believe me. I am not alone.
- It is never too late to ask for help. I can keep asking until I get the help I need.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) serves as a clearinghouse of information on missing and exploited children; provides technical assistance to citizens and law enforcement agencies; offers training programs to law enforcement; coordinates child protection efforts with the private sector; networks with non-profit service providers and state clearinghouses; and provides information and advice on effective state legislation to ensure the safety and protection of children.
A 24-hour toll-free telephone line is open for those who have information on missing and exploited children: 1-800-THE-LOST. This number is available throughout the United States and Canada. The TDD Hotline (for the hearing impaired) is 1-800-826-7653. The NCMEC business number is (703) 235-3900.
