The recent hurricane disasters in the Gulf Coast, especially the massive dislocation of the New Orleans population after Katrina, have highlighted the need for more adequate identification records for small children.
Even a month after Katrina, there are still hundreds of children in custody waiting reunion with parents or family members. In light of the fact that some of these children are too young to even know their own names, Laura Bush, wife of President George W. Bush, commented that more needs to be done to insure that authorities can reunite children separated from their families more quickly.
Actually, there is a better way. It was demonstrated last month when the Munroe-Meyer Institute AmeriCorps volunteers hosted a Child Identification Day. An Omaha company, Absolute Power Communications, provided 500 free kits for the event.
Each year, AmeriCorps members are required to either host a certain number of community services events or participate as volunteers. This is the first Child ID sponsored by MMI AmeriCorps. Each child was fingerprinted, photographed and provided a DNA sample (several strands of hair with roots and follicles intact). Parents also provided contact information for at least three relatives and important medical/dental information. The information is then filed with local law enforcement agencies.
“The Child ID Day went great,” said Dave Burgess, AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator/Team Leader. “We had a total of 62 kids get registered. We had Officer John Young do the stranger/danger talks. The fire department was here for an hour to let the kids see their equipment and truck. We had clowns doing balloon animals and things. I am looking forward to putting together another Child ID in January 2006.”
For more information about the Child ID kits, contact Burgess 559-3743 or send an e-mail to mmi_americorps@yahoo.com.