When making a report of a missing child in care to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), staff will be required to provide a photograph of the missing child in order to create a missing child poster. NCMEC does not identify that the child is missing from care, that the child is in the custody of the Children’s Division, or release medical or sensitive information.  A court order is not required to release a photograph of a child in care to either NCMEC or law enforcement when it is being utilized to report a missing child.  Staff may sign NCMEC’s Release Form authorizing distribution of the child’s photograph.

Distribution of Posters

NCMEC staff will work with the child’s case manager to determine how the missing child poster will be distributed. Staff may distribute posters as appropriate on a case by case basis.  Posters may not be released to the media and should not be posted in areas where their identity as a foster child may be revealed, such as in local offices.  If posters of children missing from care are posted in other public areas, staff must remember to take them down when the child returns.