Resources for Families of the Missing

[Kelly]

I believe there used to be a resources thread here that was a sticky. I looked through all of the pages, and could not find it. I also did a search for “resources” unsuccessfully. I think it would be a good idea to have one, so I will start one. If management disagrees, they can pull the thread.

Resources would include organizations which assist families of the missing, a brief description of the organization, and link to their site.

 

[meggilyweggily]

I have a great deal of respect for the NAMUS (which also profiles some juveniles) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (which also profiles some adults under 21).

And of course I'll mention my own site, the Charley Project. It's similar to the Doe Network and NAMPN in that it is a publicity vehicle for unsolved cases. The person must have been missing six months ago or longer. I mostly do US cases but will also profile foreign ones with a US connection (for example if the missing person was a US citizen who disappeared in another country.)

 

[Kelly]

Here's an article about hiring a private detective and what families need to know:

Project Jason-Voice for the Missing: 4/14/07 Considering a Private Investigator, Part I

Kelly Jolkowski, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason

 

[Kelly]

Part II of the series, Considering a Private Investigator, has been posted on the Project Jason Voice for the Missing blog. The purpose of this series is to provide families of the missing with enough information to be able to make a good decision about hiring a private detective to work on their missing loved one's case.

You may read part II here:
Project Jason-Voice for the Missing: 4/15/07 Considering a Private Investigator, Part II


Read our Voice for the Missing Blog
Project Jason-Voice for the Missing

 

[mysteriew]

National Institute of Justice is setting up two databases. One a database of unidentified remains and the other a database of missing person reports.

Currently they are submitting unidentified remains. There are some there now and the database is searchable. By 2009 families and LE will be able to submit missing persons reports. At the missing persons site there is info about state clearinghouses, victim assistance info and other resources.
http://www.namus.gov/

 

[belimom]

What About Me? (for siblings of missing children)



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workbook: www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/217714.pdf

 

[Angel Who Cares]

New missing child alert may help save lives
By Andrea Bullard
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.

<snipped>
The program uses phone calls to alert people living in the area of where a child is reported missing. They can make 1000 phone calls in just 60 seconds. While the program is called &#8220;A Child is Missing&#8221;, they also alert people when college students, elderly, disabled and teenagers disappear.

Article:
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Silver Alert
Posted: 12:12 PM Oct 8, 2008
Last Updated: 8:52 PM Oct 8, 2008

With the stroke of his pen, Governor Charlie Crist has created a Silver
Alert system in Florida.

Similar to Amber Alerts, the Silver alert is designed to create a wide spread lookout for seniors who wander from their surroundings.

It was created after Mary Lallucci&#8217;s mother checked herself out of a Pinellas County nursing home and accidentally drove into the intracoastal waterway.

&#8220;And I hope our tragedy saves lives, and I know it wills saves lives.
That&#8217;s the only thing that brings comfort to my family is that our
tragedy will save someone else&#8217;s life. And we thank all of you.&#8221;

The state plan is patterned after a Pinellas County plan that has been
in effect 3 months.

To learn more about the Florida Silver Alert program, visit www.fdle.state.fl.us

Article:
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[Angel Who Cares]

Questionnaire helps Orlando police break spiral of domestic abuse
Mark Schlueb | Sentinel Staff Writer
February 11, 2009
<snipped>
Orlando cops will soon carry a new weapon when they respond to domestic-violence calls: a questionnaire designed to predict whether a victim could eventually be killed by an abuser.
It might not sound like much, but experts say the short list of questions represents a radical shift in the way domestic battery is handled -- and could cut the city's rising murder rate.
"This is a huge, outside-the-box step for OPD. It's this kind of thinking that saves lives," said Carol Wick, CEO of Harbor House of Central Florida, which runs a shelter, hotline and other services for domestic-violence victims.
Too often, domestic violence spirals into murder, records show. Eight of Orlando's 42 homicides last year were elated to domestic violence.
But few of those victims had contact with domestic-violence advocates, who typically wait until their abuse hotline rings or a victim walks in the door looking for help.

That's about to change.In a few weeks, Orlando officers who respond to a domestic-violence call will be required to go over the questionnaire -- known as a "threat-assessment checklist" -- with victims. It's designed to determine which cases are similar to ones that have ended in death. It includes questions such as "Is there a firearm in the house?" and "Has your partner been stalking, following or watching you?"

A Harbor House advocate will check the questionnaires and contact individuals whose scores are high enough that experts think they are in grave danger.
Judges also will have a copy of the questionnaire when an accused batterer makes a first appearance in court. And caseworkers who deal with Orange County families under scrutiny by the Florida Department of Children and Families will use a similar checklist.
But Orlando may be the only Florida city besides Jacksonville that will soon require its officers to complete the questionnaire in all domestic-violence cases.

Do you need help?
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. Here is a list of Central Florida domestic-violence hotlines:
*Orange County: Harbor House, Orlando, 407-886-2856 * Seminole County: Safe House of Seminole, 407-330-3933 * Osceola County: Help Now of Osceola County, Kissimmee, 407-847-8562 * Lake County: Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, Leesburg, 352-753-5800 * Volusia County: Domestic Abuse Council, 386-255-2102 * Polk County: Peace River Center -- Domestic Violence Shelter, 863-413-2700 (Lakeland)
Article:
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******************************************************************
Central Florida domestic-abuse hotlines
February 11, 2009

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. Here is a list of Central Florida domestic-violence hotlines:
&#8226; Orange County: Harbor House, Orlando, 407-886-2856

&#8226; Seminole County: Safe House of Seminole, 407-330-3933

&#8226; Osceola County: Help Now of Osceola County, Kissimmee, 407-847-8562

&#8226; Lake County: Haven of Lake and Sumter Counties, Leesburg, 352-753-5800

&#8226; Volusia County: Domestic Abuse Council, 386-255-2102

&#8226; Polk County: Peace River Center &#8212; Domestic Violence Shelter, 863-413-2700 (Lakeland)

Article:
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[allaster]

I have been brainstorming an idea and decided to see what you all think.
I was thinking of figuring out how to start a foundation that recognizes the children of missing parents, by providing them a gift on their birthday and holidays in honor of the missing parent. There are many children who's parent's have been listed on a missing person's list. We never think of the children, the focus is always on the missing person. I made Kellisue's daughter a massive Easter Basket last year in honor of her Mom. The basket made her so happy, I felt good giving it to her. This sparked my interest in pursuing this project if I can figure how to get it off the ground.

 

[dreamweaver]

http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/PUBS/childismissing/ch1ck.html
When your child is missing, a family survival guide.

Good information for any family member that is missing.


Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Checklist: What You Should Do When Your Child Is First Missing
​

Chapter 1: The Search

Your Role in the Search: The First 48 Hours
The Role of Law Enforcement in the Search
The Role of Volunteers in the Search
After the First 48 Hours: The Long-Term Search
The Role of Private Detectives and Psychics in the Long-Term Search
Key Points
Checklist: Gathering Evidence in the First 48 Hours
​

Chapter 2: Law Enforcement

Your Partnership With Law Enforcement
Key Points
Checklist: Working With Law Enforcement
​

Chapter 3: The Media

Media Involvement: The First 48 Hours
Media Involvement: After the First 48 Hours
Key Points
Checklist: Conducting Interviews With the Media
​

Chapter 4: Photo and Flier Distribution

Photo and Flier Distribution: The First 48 Hours
Photo and Flier Distribution: After the First 48 Hours
Key Points
Checklist: Distributing Fliers
​

Chapter 5: Volunteers

Making the Best Use of Volunteers
Using Untrained Volunteers in the Search Effort
Using Trained Volunteers in the Search Effort
Key Points
Checklist: Working With Volunteer Searchers
​

Chapter 6: Rewards and Donations

Monetary Rewards
Monetary Donations
Key Points
Checklist: Selecting a Tipline for Leads
​

Chapter 7: Personal and Family Considerations

Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Strength
Mentally Preparing for the Long Term
Helping Your Children To Regain Their Physical and Emotional Strength
Helping Extended Family Members To Regain Their Physical and Emotional Strength
Key Points
Checklist: Figuring Out How To Pay Your Bills
​

Recommended Readings
Additional Resources
About the Parent Authors
Contact Organizations
Missing and Exploited Children's Issues -- Online
Notes
[SIZE=-1]This document was prepared by Fox Valley Technical College under cooperative agreement number 95-MC-CX-K002 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), U.S. Department of Justice.
[/SIZE]

 

[wv171]

This database is brand new but growing daily. It is very informative, intuitive and interactive. You can search by more than one term and you can see each case file or photo without clicking. Just move your mouse around. Only Missing Persons cases are loading right now, but UIDS coming within days. More cases are loaded every day. Check it out!
http://www.missing-and-unidentified.org/

 

[wv171]

Read all about it here

http://missing-and-unidentified.org/

 

[portia311]

Are there any resources, or a thread for ones who have been abducted? I ask because I was abducted when i was 2 years old.

 

[johnangle]

I created a free community website to help find missing people lostyoufindyou. It's a free people search engine combined with tools designed to make it easy for those with information on a case to get in touch with you.
Best of luck with your search.
John Angle

 

[Amber34]

NEW UK Missing Person's Bureau

Also contains information on the unidentified.

And about time too!

 

[Roselvr]

Canada's Missing - The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains (NCMPUR) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is Canada&#8217;s national centre that assists law enforcement, medical examiners and chief coroners with missing persons and unidentified remains investigations across the country.

Current cases listed on this website represent a sampling of missing persons and unidentified remains investigations in Canada as submitted by the investigating police agency, coroners and medical examiners. The primary investigator, coroner or medical examiner determines which cases can be displayed on the website. To search case profiles click here

Search options-
Missing Adult
Missing Child
Unidentified Remains
Associated Persons

 

[Roselvr]

Do you have a Child Identification Kit for each of your children? Do you know how to keep it updated? If you answered no to any of the questions in this post; see the link below to get started. PHOTO RECOMMENDATION: Children under the age of one year should be photographed every 2 months. After the first year and until the age of 7, a photograph should be taken every six months. Seven years until age 18, a yearly photograph is suggested. Updated photos may be placed inside a plastic storage bag. Do you know the location & type of any distinguishing birthmarks, moles, scars, previously broken bones & prosthetics? Do you know how to collect & store DNA of your kids in case of emergency?

On the left; under services; see Child ID and DNA Kit Orange County CA Sheriff's Department

This should be a direct link to the PDF file Child ID and DNA Kit

Kits can also be ordered for under $10 from National Child I.D. Program

Also see National Child I.D. Program FB page for tips

Complete the DNA evidence gathering in the comfort of your home. This will ensure you have a good sample and allow the necessary time for drying in a sterile-type environment.

• Take the Q-Tip and rub firmly, but gently on the inside of the child’s cheek. The idea is to collect cells, not saliva.

• Take the Q-Tip and place it upright in a container (The idea is to let the air circulate around the Q-Tip until it is completely dry. One method is to invert a paper cup and stick the non-swabbed end through the end of the cup).

• Do NOT touch the Q-Tip!

• Let the Q-Tip dry for 24 hours.

• The DNA sample does not need to be redone as long as it is kept completely dry.

• Remove the Q-Tip from the container and place in a paper envelope. Place that envelope and this sheet into a plastic freezer or storage bag.

• Safe places for storage of the bag include a fireproof box or the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. (Do not place in a safe deposit box at a bank or other facility, as the goal is easy accessibility).

PHOTO RECOMMENDATION: Children under the age of one year should be photographed every 2 months. After the first year and until the age of 7, a photograph should be taken every six months. Seven years until age 18, a yearly photograph is suggested. Updated photos may be placed inside a plastic storage bag with this sheet and the DNA swab.


Be sure to print out the Child ID form to make note of all birth marks; scars; broken bones & tattoo's


Can easily be used for adults as well

 

[FigTree]

AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES from LAWLINK CENTRE
2ND AUGUST 2013


'IN THE LOOP' Booklet
This is a very special Resource Publication which has just been released for Young People who have had someone close to them go Missing.

“In the Loop reflects the thoughts and experiences of young people, how they cope with their loss and how they want to be treated during this difficult time,”

“A recurring theme when the booklet was being developed was that young people don’t want their families to ‘protect them’ by withholding information or leaving them out of discussions about the disappearance.”

“In the Loop includes colourful artwork which powerfully demonstrates how the reassuring comments of adults are received by young people dealing with the confusion and uncertainty surrounding a disappearance.

“The young people involved in the meetings have contributed most of the content and illustrations in the book, with the support of their carers, the FFMPU and two social work students from the University of NSW,”




Click the title below for your copy....

'IN THE LOOP' Booklet
Is a Free Download.


.

 

[OCMENYC]

Are you the family member or friend of a long-term missing person in the New York City area?

You are invited to New York City Missing Persons Day on Saturday, November 8, 2014.

The first-ever New York City Missing Persons Day connects all New Yorkers with the resources to help identify and find their long-term missing loved ones. Families and friends of long-term missing persons (missing for 60 or more days) will have direct access to interviews with professionals and the opportunity to provide information to aid in identification. Emotional and spiritual support services will also be available on site to all attendees.

All are welcome. Families and friends who wish to have an interview are strongly advised to schedule in advance by calling (212) 323-1201. Callers will be advised on what information to bring. Providing information is voluntary. Information will be used for identification purposes only.

When: Saturday, November 8, 2014
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) – Hirsch Building
421 East 26th Street (at 1st Avenue)
New York, NY 10016

Why: More than 13,000 people were reported missing in New York City last year, with some, including at least 200 children, missing long term. Nationwide, there are more than 87,000 active missing persons cases, while there are tens of thousands of unidentified persons for whom little to no information is entered into national databases. New York City has been conducting a comprehensive review of all the unidentified persons in its custody using new advances in technology, but new technology can only go so far. Identifications cannot be made unless adequate information about missing persons is available for comparison.

Who: Hosted by OCME, in partnership with the NYPD Missing Persons Unit, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, American Red Cross, and Disaster Chaplaincy Services, with support from the NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYC Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Center for HOPE, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and assistance from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit and the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.

For more information, visit nyc.gov/ocme