Published: March 05, 2009 08:58 pm      

Foundation offers KidCare ID program

HOOPESTON — The loss of a child through abduction — whether by a stranger or someone familiar to the family — is devastating and frightening to a parent. Being prepared for such an event whether it happens or not is the greatest gift a parent can give a child.

The Hoopeston Area Healthcare Foundation travels to area schools each year to give KidCare ID programs to the pre-school and kindergarten classes and to any students who have transferred into the district. The towns covered by the foundation's sponsorship include: Bismarck-Henning, Potomac, Cissna Park, Milford and Hoopeston Area school districts.

"Almost every child within the Hoopeston Area Healthcare Foundation area should already have a kit," said Charlene Ervin, executive director.

Ervin suggests parents add a new photo to the kit every year.

"A good quality photograph will help with computerized age enhancement," Ervin said, "especially if a child has been missing for several years."

Hoopeston has been fortunate. No children have gone missing. However, one of these kits was used in September 1993 when a Vermilion County girl, Jessica Roach, disappeared. Her body was identified through use of her identification kit, according the Hoopeston Police Chief Mark Drollinger.

"Some kits take it a step further," said Drollinger, associated with the program since 1999, "and use the DNA swab." He added that hair is another avenue for DNA.

The foundation's program is paid for through area individuals and businesses that make donations to the Hoopeston Area Healthcare Foundation, Ervin said.

Hoopeston's Emergency Medical Technicians, nurses, police department personnel and other volunteers provide their time to do the KidCare ID program. All information is given to the parents of the child. The foundation, schools and police department do not keep any of the information.

In 1984 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was created as the clearinghouse federally mandated by the U.S. Congress to assist families and law enforcement in cases of missing and exploited children, according to the NCMEC Web site.

The KidCare ID Program was organized by the Polaroid Film Company and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as a photograph and fingerprinting indentification method that would make information instantly available to family and police if a child is missing. It also includes NCMEC "Seven Basic Tips for Parents to Discuss with their Child." About one in seven missing children are identified through the ID kits.

COMING UP

The March schedule for ChildCare Programs:

-- Monday — Maple Grade School in Hoopeston.

-- March 12 — Bismarck-Henning Grade School.

-- March 18 — John Greer and Honeywell grade schools in Hoopeston.