I disagree with Carrie about the Child ID program, especially if you guard this information closely as you would all important documents.
We did our own program this past year. If you e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , I'll send you a copy of the program.
The program I setup included the following in a 5X7 envelope:
-a miniature zippy bag with instructions for gathering a hair sample for DNA typing stapled onto a foldover brochure
-a finger print of each finger on both hands
-a diagram of the body for distinguishing characteristics
-complete family information
-medical alert information
-blood type information
-step-by-step instructions about what to do immediately after discovering your child is missing including phone numbers and contacts for local law enforcement
-a disk with information including links to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and several other safety links
-a digital photograph of the child for quick e-mail and website uploads
Our program was extensive and one I felt was head and shoulders above the rest we'd seen. Child ID programs take so much time and energy, but they can be so helpful in searching for and identifying a child.
The program was not expensive to complete: I got the disks on a free after rebate day at Office Max, and I designed the program on my home pc. We copied the flyer onto card stock and stashed the information into a 5X7 envelope, which was where our costs were. I found the 1x2" zippy bags at a hobby store on the homemade jewelry aisle. I had also found a suitcase that was $5, and I stored all the leftover stuff in the suitcase at the school, creating a kit that could be taken out and reused whenever necessary.
We used the Kidz ID last year and it was free. We are a PTO, we are using them again this year and its free again. You get one ID card with picture on it, important phone numbers, medical info. and you also get a kit for DNA and fingerprinting for free. You are able to buy any additional items for a fee.
The cards are very nice. Our sheriffs department checked them out and they were very impressed with their background checks on employees. Also our principal checked them out through National Association of Elementary School Principals (I believe thats correct) and she personnally got a responsible back from the head of it stating they approved it.
I would also suggest discussing this with your parents and police/sheriff's office... am I the wierd one thinking that 350 ID cards with complete stats on kids floating around is an ID Thief's nirvana? I have heard both sides of this argument. We had a "Neighborhood Watch" meeting at our school (Sheriff's outreach officer not DARE) and they said that for the cost and creation of the cards, compared to the chance of having to need one, may not be worth it.
Don't want to be a downer, but also don't want to see too much time/money spent on a project that may not benefit your group.
I would recommend contacting a local Masons Lodge. They do a Child Identification Program which is free and provides a video taped interview, digital photo (suitable for Amber Alert), fingerprinting and Dental Imprinting (which contains DNA and a persons scent). All of this material is turned over to the parents for safekeeping.
For Connecticut, here is a link to find out more info: www.ctchip.org/
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For Pennsylvania, here is the link: www.pagrandlodge.org/pmfc/chipprogram.html
. There are programs all over the US.
Oops! I gave the wrong web site info. Here is the correct one, I promise! www.kidzidz.com/pta
or call Joann Winterberg at 856-874-0600 ext 110 Sorry about that!
