National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

• Overview
• Contacts
• Resources

Overview

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children© (NCMEC), serves as an information clearinghouse and national resource center on issues related to victims, missing and exploited children and operates a national toll-free hotline.

In furtherance of its private mission, in partnership with OJJDP, NCMEC provides resources, technical assistance, and prevention services to victims, families and the public, as well as support to law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels in cases involving missing and exploited children. NCMEC's 24-hour hotline, 800–THE–LOST© (1–800–843–5678) has received more than 5 million calls in the last 36 years. Additionally, NCMEC operates the CyberTipline© the nation's centralized reporting system for suspected child sexual exploitation.

NCMEC serves as a partner with OJP and OJJDP as the missing children clearinghouse and in secondary distribution of reports on behalf of AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) coordinators.

Each year, NCMEC honors individuals, organizations and law enforcement who have made outstanding contributions in the fight to recover missing children and protect children from victimization. 

The HOPE Awards is an annual celebration held in Washington, D.C. to remember missing children and help inspire hope for searching families. At this event, the NCMEC recognizes the courage of survivors and the contributions of individuals whose efforts have helped to make the world a safer place for children.

Contacts

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
333 John Carlyle Street, Suite #125
Alexandria, VA 22314-5950
703–224–2150
703–224–2122 (fax)
http://www.missingkids.org/

Resources

Video: Learn about NCMEC 

OJJDP Publications

2020 AMBER Alert Report: Analysis of AMBER Alert Cases in 2020
OJJDP-Sponsored, 2021. This report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children presents an update on AMBER Alert Cases in 2020. NCJ 304036. 41 pages.
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The AMBER Advocate, Issue 4 2021
OJJDP-Sponsored, December 2021. This issue features highlights and key takeaways from the 2021 National AMBER Alert and AMBER Alert in Indian Country Virtual Symposium. Other features include the AMBER Alert at work in Connecticut resulting in the safe recovery of a special needs 4-year-old in just one hour of the alert's issuance and Florida's Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse Supervisor Jon Roddenberry. NCJ 303893. 20 pages.
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AMBER Alert Best Practices, Second Edition
OJJDP-Produced, April 2019. The purpose of this guide is to increase awareness, understanding, and promotion of the AMBER Alert system, whose goal is to galvanize communities to assist in the search for and safe recovery of an abducted child, with attention to the most serious child-abduction cases. NCJ 252759. 68 pages. 
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AMBER Alert Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers
OJJDP-Produced, May 2019. The AMBER Alert Field Guide for Law Enforcement Officers was developed to help law enforcement personnel become stronger and more confident contributors to their jurisdictions' AMBER Alert programs. Organized by key areas of law enforcement response, the guide provides suggested best practices from subject matter experts who have been active in AMBER Alert programs throughout the country. Topics include initial on-scene response and investigation; establishing and operating tips and leads; search and recovery operations; screening and training volunteers; interacting with abduction victims' families; managing media; and more. NCJ 252795. 36 pages.
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AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program Fact Sheet
OJJDP-Sponsored, February 2019. This fact sheet outlines the mission of the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program as well as the National AMBER Alert Network, the reach of AMBER Alert Training Programs, the Child Abduction Response Team (CART) Network and certification program, the AMBER Alert in Indian Country Initiative, and the Southern Border Initiative. 4 pages.
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Child Protection FAQ and Guide for Tribal Communities
OJJDP-Sponsored, October 2017. This guide provides Tribal communities with an understanding of expectations, steps for an initial response, and frequently asked questions for when a child goes missing. NCJ 251733. 3 pages.
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The First Three Hours
OJJDP-Sponsored, October 2017. This information sheet provides Tribal communities tips on how to be prepared as a parent or guardian when a child goes missing. The first three hours are the most crucial window of time for an initial response as well as to gather available resources about a child. NCJ 251734. 2 pages.
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Implementation of the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act of 2018: A Report to Congress
OJJDP-Produced, June 2019. This report to the U.S. Congress assesses the readiness, education and training needs, technological challenges, and obstacles that Indian Tribes encounter when integrating state or regional AMBER Alert communication plans as intended under the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act. NCJ 252671 40 pages.
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Additional Resources

AMBER Alert
Provides an overview of AMBER Alert efforts by OJP and includes strategies, publications, and training events.

CyberTipline
Receives reports from the public and electronic service providers regarding child sexual exploitation.

Is Your Child Missing?
Report information about a missing child to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's 24-hour hotline at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678).

Safety Central App
NCMEC's app serves as a digital child ID kit that allows parents to save information about, fingerprints for, and photographs of their children.