19.22 Missing Children

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(19) Case Management

Policy Title:

Missing Children

Policy Number:

19.22

Previous Policy Number(s):

8.3

Effective Date:

May 2024

Manual Transmittal:

2024-05

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 15-11-381 Definitions
O.C.G.A. § 35-3-83 Missing Child Reports
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act §§ 471(a)(9)(C)(i)(1), 471(a)(10), 471(a)(22), 471(a)(34)(A), 471(a)(35)(A), 471(a)(35)(B), and 472(c)(1)
34 USC § 41308 State Requirements for Reporting Missing Children
Public Law (PL) 113-183 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014
PL 117-348 Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Work in partnership with parents, caregivers, or legal custodians to expeditiously locate and assess the safety of:

    1. Any child/youth missing from foster care (including extended foster care); and

    2. Any missing child/youth in an active Child Protective Services (CPS) case.

  2. Have protocols for:

    1. Expeditiously locating any child/youth missing from foster care;

    2. Determining the primary factors that contributed to the child/youth’s running away or otherwise being absent from care, and to the extent possible and appropriate, responding to those factors in current and subsequent placements;

    3. Determining the child’s/youth’s experiences while absent from care, including screening the child/youth to determine if the child/youth is a possible sex trafficking victim; and

    4. Reporting such related information as required by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

  3. Report immediately, and in no case later than 24 hours after receipt, information on missing or abducted children/youth to the law enforcement authorities for entry into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Include the following, where reasonably possible:

    1. A photo of the missing or abducted child/youth.

    2. A description of the child’s/youth’s physical features, such as height, weight, sex, ethnicity, race, hair color, and eye color.

    3. Endangerment information, such as the child’s/youth’s pregnancy status, prescription medications, suicidal tendencies, vulnerability to being sex trafficked, and other health or risk factors.

    This applies to any child/youth over whom DFCS has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision and who the agency has reasonable cause to believe is, or is at risk of being, a sex trafficking victim (including children/youth for whom an agency has an open case file but who have not been removed from the home, children/youth who have run away from foster care and who have not attained 18 years of age, youth receiving extended foster care, or youth who are not in foster care but are receiving Chafee Independent Living services).

  4. Maintain regular communication with law enforcement and NCMEC to provide a safe recovery of missing or abducted children/youth, including sharing information pertaining to their recovery and circumstances related to the recovery.

  5. Notify the DFCS Missing Children Team within 24 hours of determining that a child/youth in foster care is missing.

  6. Notify the Revenue Maximization Specialist (RMS) within 24 hours of determining that a child/youth in foster care is missing and within 24 hours of when the child/youth is located.

    The RMS will terminate title IV-E Reimbursability for title IV-E eligible child/youth.

  7. File a runaway report in juvenile court within two business days of determining that a child/youth in foster care is missing. The motion shall include reasonable efforts made to locate the child/youth.

  8. Maintain an open foster care case on any missing child/youth in the temporary or permanent custody of DFCS to continue efforts to locate the child/youth and address the concerns that brought the child/youth into foster care.

  9. At a minimum of every 90 days (if the child/youth remains missing), conduct a staffing with the County Director/Designee to discuss ongoing efforts to locate the child/youth.

  10. Make face-to-face contact with a previously missing child/youth within 24 hours of the child/youth being located to determine factors that contributed to the child/youth being missing, the child’s/youth’s experiences while absent from care, and to assess whether the child/youth is at risk or is a victim of sex trafficking[1].

    The child/youth is located out-of-state.

  11. Arrange for or request the caregiver obtain a medical examination of the child/youth within 48 hours of the child/youth’s return. In CPS cases, the parent is responsible for obtaining the medical examination.

    The decision to take this action should be based on information revealed during the interview with the child/youth, and/or based on the length of time the child/youth was missing.

  12. Develop or update the written Youth Runaway Prevention Plan to address circumstances and situations that may have led to a runway episode within seven calendar days of a youth return (see Practice Guidance: Youth Runaway Prevention Plan).

  13. Adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and confidentiality provisions outlined in policies 2.5 Information Management: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and 2.6 Information Management: Confidentiality/Safeguarding Information.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. When the child is suspected to be missing, make efforts ascertain the youth’s whereabouts:

    1. Contact the caregiver and other household members to determine when and where the child was last seen, the child’s state of mind, and whether any of the child’s belongings are missing.

    2. In conjunction with the caregiver, to include but not limited to the following:

      1. Contacting the child on his/her cell phone or social media.

      2. Contacting the child’s parent(s) and family members.

      3. Contacting the child’s friends, and persons with whom the child associates.

      4. Visiting the location(s) where the child was last seen and where they frequent (e.g. school, park, and movie theatre).

  2. Ask the parents/caregivers if they have filed a missing person report with law enforcement and request assistance with locating the missing child/youth, if appropriate.

  3. Contact law enforcement to file a missing person report immediately, but no later than 24 hours of determining that a child/youth is missing (see Practice Guidance: Law Enforcement Reporting).

    1. Provide the following information about the child/youth:

      1. Name, date of birth (DOB), social security number (SSN), placement or home address, last known location.

      2. A photo of the missing or abducted child/youth.

      3. A description of the child’s/youth’s physical features, such as height, weight, sex, ethnicity, race, hair color, and eye color.

      4. Endangerment information, such as the child’s/youth’s pregnancy status, prescription medications, suicidal tendencies, vulnerability to being sex trafficked, and other health or risk factors.

    2. Request the child’s information be entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

    3. Provide the contact information for the Social Services Case Manager (SSCM) including how to contact the appropriate DFCS staff after hours.

    4. Obtain the missing person case report number, the officer’s receiving the report’s name, badge number, contact number, and precinct.

  4. After filing a missing person report with law enforcement, report the missing child to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) immediately but no later than 24 hours of determining a child/youth is missing.

    1. The report can be made by calling the hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or on the website at www.missingkids.org/theissues/missingfromcare by completing the online form designed for Child Welfare caseworkers.

    2. There must be an active missing person police report.

    3. Advise NCMEC not to identify a child/youth as being in foster care during any of its activities.

    4. Provide the following information about the child/youth:

      1. Name, DOB, SSN, placement or home address, last known location.

      2. A photo of the missing or abducted child/youth.

      3. A description of the child’s/youth’s physical features, such as height, weight, sex, ethnicity, race, hair color, and eye color.

      4. Endangerment information, such as the child’s/youth’s pregnancy status, prescription medications, suicidal tendencies, vulnerability to being sex trafficked, and other health or risk factors.

    5. Provide NCMEC with the contact information for the SSCM including how to contact the appropriate DFCS staff after hours.

  5. Activate a Protective Services Alert in Georgia SHINES.

  6. Update the Placement Information page in Georgia SHINES using the placement type “Runaway” to indicate that the child/youth is missing. This must be done within 24 hours of a child/youth in DFCS custody being determined to be missing.

    The DFCS Missing Children Team will be automatically notified by Georgia SHINES when the Placement Information page is approved by the Social Services Supervisor (SSS).

  7. Send a Notification of Change (NOC) via Georgia SHINES to the RMS indicating a child/youth is on runaway status or otherwise missing from the foster care placement.

  8. Follow up with local law enforcement within 24 hours of filing the missing person report to confirm that the missing child/youth has been added to the FBI’s NCIC.

    1. If the child/youth’s information has not been added to the NCIC database, follow-up with law enforcement daily until confirmation is received. Escalate the issue up the law enforcement agency’s chain of command until the appropriate action is taken.

    2. Obtain the name and title of the individual who provides confirmation.

  9. Notify the Juvenile court within two business days of determining a child/youth in DFCS custody’s is missing by filing a runaway report. The motion shall include efforts made (to date) to locate the child/youth.

  10. In addition, notify the following:

    1. Child/youth’s attorney, Guardian Ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

    2. Any other Division/Department that also serves the child/youth, including the child/youth’s school officials, probation officers, attorneys, service providers, etc.

      In CPS cases, obtain a signed release of information to facilitate such communication.

  11. In conjunction with the caregiver(s), continue a comprehensive search to locate the child/youth in accordance with Practice Guidance: Searching for a Missing Child/Youth.

  12. Address the following monthly with the SSS and every 90 days (at a minimum) with the County Director/Designee if a child/youth remains missing:

    1. Efforts made to locate the child/youth.

    2. Additional strategies that may be employed to locate the child/youth.

    3. The child/youth’s history of running away (if applicable) and whether the child/youth seems to be running to a specific place or person.

    4. Whether it is known if the child/youth is at risk or a victim of human trafficking.

    5. The communication with law enforcement and NCMEC regarding efforts and progress made to locate the child/youth.

    6. Impact of the child being missing on the case plan outcomes.

    7. The plan for providing ongoing support/services for the youth when located (e.g., changes in case plan, changes in permanency plan, services to address issues associated with sex trafficking, etc.).

  13. Encourage the child/youth to return every time contact is made with the missing child/youth.

  14. Document all case management activities including efforts to locate the child/youth in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of occurrence.

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Ensure the SSCM completes the following immediately, but no later than 24 hours of determining that a child is missing:

    1. Reports to law enforcement and NCMEC that a child/youth is missing and that the required information has been provided.

    2. Updates the Placement Information page in Georgia SHINES using the placement type “Runaway” to indicate that the child/youth is missing.

    3. Activates a Protective Services Alert in Georgia SHINES.

    4. Sends a NOC via Georgia SHINES to the RMS indicating that the child/youth is on runaway status or otherwise missing from the foster care placement.

  2. Approve the Placement Information page in Georgia SHINES to facilitate the automatic notification to the DFCS Missing Children Team.

  3. Verify the SSCM followed up with local law enforcement within 24 hours of filing the missing person report to confirm that the missing child/youth has been added to the FBI’s NCIC database. Assist the SSCM with escalating the issue if the missing child/youth has not been added to the NCIC database timely.

  4. Ensure the SSCM files a runaway report with the Juvenile court within two business days of the child/youth missing when the child/youth is in DFCS custody’s. Assist the SSCM will detailing the efforts made (to date) to locate the child/youth for the motion.

  5. Continuously monitor the ongoing efforts to locate the missing child/youth while the child remains missing (see policy 19.6 Case Management: Supervisor Staffing)

    1. Coach the SSCM in conducting a comprehensive search to locate the child/youth (see Practice Guidance: Searching for a Missing Child/Youth).

    2. Verify that regular communication is occurring with law enforcement and NCMEC.

    3. Review the missing child’s/youth’s case record in Georgia SHINES to verify efforts to locate the child/youth have been documented.

  6. Initiate staffings with the County Director/Designee at a minimum of every 90 days (if the child/youth remains missing) to discuss ongoing efforts to locate the child/youth.

When the Child/Youth is Located

The SSCM will:

  1. Make face-to-face contact with the child/youth within 24 hours of their return to determine factors that contributed to the child/youth being missing, the child’s/youth’s experiences while absent from care, and to assess whether the child/youth is at risk or is a victim of sex trafficking (see Practice Guidance: Interview with a Child/Youth Previously Missing).

    1. If the child/youth is in another county or state, request a courtesy contact be made by a state child welfare agency in the county or state where the child/youth is located.

    2. Take or obtain a current picture of the child/youth to document the child/youth’s appearance at the time of return and upload it into Georgia SHINES External Documentation.

    3. If the results of the assessment suggest a child/youth is a victim of sex trafficking or at risk of being a victim of sex trafficking, follow the procedures outlined in the Human Trafficking Case Management Statewide Protocol (see Forms and Tools) to ensure that the youth receives appropriate screening and services.

  2. Notify law enforcement immediately.

  3. Notify NCMEC immediately via the Hotline Number, 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).

  4. Notify the parent and the placement resource (if a child/youth is in foster care) within 24 hours.

  5. Deactivate the Protective Services Alert in Georgia SHINES immediately, but no later than the following business day.

  6. Notify the DFCS Missing Children Team within 24 hours.

    1. Update the Placement Information page in Georgia SHINES by end dating the Runaway placement event.

    2. When the SSS approves the change to the Placement Information page, Georgia SHINES will automatically send a notification to the DFCS Missing Children Team.

  7. Notify the juvenile court, GAL, CASA, and any other entities actively assisting DFCS with the search for the previously missing child/youth no later than the following business day.

  8. Arrange for or request the caregiver obtain a medical examination of the child/youth within 48 hours of the child/youth’s return based on information revealed during the assessment of the child and/or duration of the child being missing. In CPS cases, the parent is responsible for obtaining the medical examination.

  9. Submit a new IV-E application in Georgia SHINES when a missing child/youth returns to foster care.

    New determinations of all eligibility factors, including judicial determinations of “contrary to the welfare” and “reasonable efforts”, are required if the child/youth returns to foster care after six months as this is considered a new placement episode for IV-E purposes.

  10. Make every effort to place children/youth previously missing from foster care in the same placement they were in prior to becoming missing, when appropriate (see policy 10.4 Foster Care: Selecting a Placement Resource).

  11. Refer the child/youth and family for appropriate services to address identified issues related to the child being missing/runaway, other identified at-risk behaviors including but not limited to being at risk or a victim of human trafficking (see policy 19.17 Case Management: Service Provision).

  12. Develop or update the written Youth Runaway Prevention Plan (see Practice Guidance: Runaway Prevention Plan).

  13. Visit the child/youth more frequently (weekly or more often as needed) to work with the child/youth and caregiver(s) to stabilize their relationship and to address the factors that led to the runaway episode and prevent further disruption. Make efforts to coordinate visits with service providers or child placing agencies/child caring institutions (CPA/CCI) staff, if applicable.

  14. Document all case management activities and updates in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of occurrence.

The SSS will:

  1. Ensure face-to-face contact with the child/youth is made within 24 hours of their return.

  2. Ensure the appropriate parties are notified that the child/youth has been located in accordance with the policy timeframes.

  3. Ensure the following are completed in Georgia SHINES:

    1. The Protective Services Alert is deactivated in accordance with the policy timeframe.

    2. A new IV-E application is submitted (if the child/youth return to foster care).

  4. Collaborate with SSCM to develop a Youth Runaway Prevention Plan for the located children/youth.

Practice Guidance

Missing Children/Youth

The term missing means that the whereabouts of the child/youth is unknown. The term “runaway” is used by DFCS to refer to youth whose whereabouts are unknown to their caregiver and there is a reasonable suspicion that the child/youth has absconded from their place of residence, and preliminary efforts to locate the child/youth have yielded no results. However, it is important to remember that just because a child/youth is missing does not mean the child/youth ran away. Children/youth may go missing for a number of reasons and it is important to determine why they are missing to improve efforts to locate them and prevent future episodes. In all instances, a comprehensive search must be made by the caregiver and DFCS to locate missing children/youth.

Missing children/youth are at great risk of victimization and exploitation. They usually do not perceive the inherent risks or see themselves as potential victims. Because of the potential dangers to the child/youth, a runaway/missing child/youth episode is a major event that requires intensive intervention and safety planning. When children/youth in foster care are missing, the issues that brought the children/youth into care need to be adequately addressed with the parent/caregiver before DFCS intervention is concluded, regardless of the location of the child/youth. DFCS does not seek to be relieved of custody based on the child/youth being missing.

DFCS has formed a Missing Children Team to manage the tracking of missing children/youth in foster care. The Team is comprised of representatives from several sections within the State Office, field operations, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Since the team is notified that a child/youth is missing or located via Georgia SHINES, it is extremely important that the Placement Information Page be completed timely whenever a child/youth is determined to be missing or has returned from being missing. Doing so will ensure accurate accountability for children/youth.

Interview with the Caregiver When a Child/Youth is Missing

If a child/youth is missing, the SSCM should explore the following issues with the caregiver:

  1. Has the child/youth ever run away before, for how long, and where did the child/youth go?

  2. Did the child/youth express a desire to run away, go to a specific place, or see a specific person?

  3. Did the caregiver observe any cues that the child/youth was planning to run away?

  4. Who is the child/youth permitted to visit? Where (neighborhood, home, school)? Are the parents of the child/youth’s friends known by the placement provider?

  5. What are the rules of the residence concerning allowable areas for the child/youth to be without first securing caregiver permission?

  6. Has the child/youth started any new friendships, or “hanging out” with new people?

  7. Have there been any changes in the child’s/youth’s behavior? What are the changes?

  8. Are there issues being experienced by the caregiver that may have contributed to the child/youth running away?

  9. Who are the child’s/youth’s friends? Is their contact information known to the caregiver?

  10. What steps can be taken to avoid future occurrences of running away?

Endangerment Indicators for Runaway Youth

These are conditions or behaviors that, in conjunction with the child/youth’s absence from an environment known to be safe, severely compromise the child/youth’s safety. This includes one or more of the following:

  1. The child/youth has been or is believed to have been abducted.

  2. The child/youth is age 13 or younger.

  3. The child/youth has one or more health/mental health conditions that will place the child/youth at serious harm without required treatment.

  4. The child/youth is pregnant and/ or parenting, and the offspring is believed to be with the child/youth.

  5. The child/youth has a physical or developmental disability/delay that impairs the child/youth’s ability for self-care.

  6. The child/youth has a substance abuse problem.

  7. The child/youth was previously the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

  8. The child/youth is in a potentially life-threatening situation.

  9. The child/youth is believed to be with people who could endanger the child’s/youth’s welfare.

Law Enforcement Reporting

Some law enforcement jurisdictions may not be inclined to accept a missing person report for a specified number of hours or may not timely enter the report into the NCIC database. However, Federal law requires that law enforcement take a report on a missing child/youth and that there be no wait time to take the report. Furthermore, Federal law requires a report of a missing child/youth to be entered within two hours of receipt into the State law enforcement system and the NCIC computer networks. The report must also be made available to the Missing Children Information Clearinghouse within the State or other agency designated within the State to receive such reports. Therefore, if told there is a wait time, DFCS staff should reference 34 U.S.C. § 41308 (State requirements for reporting missing children). Seek assistance from the SSS and Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) if there is concern that a law enforcement agency is inappropriately handling reports of a missing child/youth.

When notifying law enforcement of a missing child/youth, the following information shall be provided:

  1. The child’s/youth’s full name, aliases and nicknames, age, date of birth, social security number, and driver’s license number (if applicable).

  2. A description of the child/youth [i.e., height; weight; hair color; eye color; skin color; braces; clothes worn; book bag; hat; shoes; contact lenses; eyeglasses; dentures; gold or silver teeth; any impairments (physical, hearing, vision, speech); moles; scars; body piercings; or tattoos].

  3. Physical or psychological conditions, developmental delays, or any condition that may affect the ability of the child/youth to respond to environmental dangers.

  4. Other factors of endangerment, such as age, hazardous location, medical needs, disability, etc.

  5. Medications or history of suspected substance abuse.

  6. Recent photograph of the child/youth.

  7. A copy of the most recent court order granting legal custody of the child/youth and other relevant facts about the child’s/youth’s custody status.

  8. Type of missing episode (e.g., runaway, family abduction, non-family abduction, etc.).

  9. Where, when, and with whom the child/youth was last seen.

  10. Possible method of travel (e.g., car, bicycle, public transportation, or on foot).

  11. Names and addresses of foster parents (if applicable), birthparents, relatives, former foster parents (if applicable), and friends; Locations and activities the child/youth is known to frequent.

  12. Any suspected destinations; and any prior disappearances and outcomes.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

As the national clearinghouse on missing and exploited children issues, NCMEC is uniquely positioned to provide significant and continuous support to state agencies that are searching for children missing from their care. NCMEC provides an array of resources, including case management, poster distribution, technical assistance to law enforcement, and analytical support. Every report of a missing child receives a prompt response from NCMEC’s case management staff who coordinate directly with all case workers, social workers and/or law enforcement agencies involved to provide resources to help safely locate the missing child. Reporting all children missing from care to NCMEC is not just a best practice, but also a legal requirement.

Searching for a Missing Child/Youth

  1. Physically look for the child/youth.

    1. Search the last place the child/youth was seen and the immediate surrounding area.

    2. Go to the child’s last placement to interview/re-interview other children/youth at the child’s/youth’s placement to determine if the child/youth shared any plans or contact information for other friends. Inquire about the child’s/youth’s use of cell phones or social media.

    3. Go to the homes of the child’s/youth’s friends and family, including extended family.

    4. Check regular hang outs and any place frequented by the child/youth and leave messages at these places.

    5. Go to emergency shelters and homeless youth programs.

    6. Check food pantries.

    7. Check with juvenile detention if it is a child/youth who is missing and jails if it is a young adult.

    8. Check with hospitals.

    9. If the child/youth is a victim of sex trafficking or at risk of being a victim of sex trafficking, check clubs.

      Always keep worker safety in mind during any search. Supervisors should always be informed of where staff are going. Staff should not go alone to unfamiliar or potentially dangerous places. Ask for law enforcement assistance as needed.

  2. Use the internet (subject to DHS/DFCS policies on use of the internet and social media).

    1. Check Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Facebook can be contacted for an IP address to assist in locating the child/youth.

    2. Reach out to family and friends who have positive relationships with the missing child/youth to allow viewing of the content and consider asking these individuals to post messages.

    3. If the missing child/youth is a victim of sex trafficking or at risk of being a victim of sex trafficking, check known escort sites, such as www.bedpage.com and www.onebackpage.com, and check ads.

    4. Google the child’s/youth’s phone number in case the number is in an ad.

  3. Use the telephone.

    1. Call the child’s/youth’s phone number or have someone he or she trusts call from their phone.

    2. Utilize voicemail, text messaging and other messaging to communicate to the child/youth the need to return or go to a safe place (e.g., police station, fire department, hospital, etc.).

    3. Use the phone’s GPS system to try and determine a location.

  4. Access others for assistance.

    1. Reach out and maintain contact with those who know the child well (parents, other caregivers and friends). Ensure they understand the legal obligation to notify DFCS should the child/youth contact them (if the child/youth is in foster care).

    2. Always consider confidentiality when determining who to contact and what information to share.

    3. Maintain regular contact with law enforcement agencies and the NCMEC to provide any new information regarding the child’s/youth’s possible whereabouts and to receive updates on their efforts and progress made to locate the child/youth.

    4. Contact the child’s/youth’s probation officer (if applicable) for any updated information.

Interview with a Child/Youth Previously Missing

In-person contact with a previously missing child/youth in foster is required within 24 hours of their return to determine factors that contributed to the child/youth being missing, the child’s/youth’s experiences while absent from care, and to assess whether the child/youth is at risk or is a victim of sex trafficking. The interview should be conducted in a manner which demonstrates empathy and concern, while also communicating to the child/youth that their safety is the primary concern. The SSCM will explore the following:

  1. Why did the child/youth run away? (Explore what they expected to accomplish by running away)

  2. What led up to the decision to run away?

  3. Who was with the child/youth when the child/youth ran away?

  4. Was he/she encouraged to run away? If so, by whom?

  5. Where did the child/youth go? (List all the places)

  6. What were all the places the child/youth visited while away?

  7. Who were some of the people the child/youth visited or stayed with while away and what is the child’s/youth’s relationship with them?

  8. How did the child/youth survive while away (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, money)?

  9. Did the child/youth engage in any risky behaviors (e.g., sexual activity, substance abuse)?

  10. Was the child/youth the victim of a crime while away? If so, is a referral to law enforcement needed?

  11. What was the best thing about being away?

  12. What was the worst thing about being away?

  13. What did the child/youth miss the most while away?

  14. What would have stopped the child/youth from running away?

  15. What services/supports did the child/youth need while being away?

  16. What were some of the reasons the child/youth returned?

  17. Has the child/youth thought about leaving again since being back?

  18. What can be done to prevent the child/youth from running away again?

  19. What advice would the child/youth give another youth who was thinking of running away?

Youth Runaway Prevention Plan

A runaway prevention plan is a method of addressing circumstances and situations that might lead to a runaway episode or a recurrence of runaway behavior. The plan is a written document which helps to promote clarity and accountability. To be more effective, the runaway prevention plan should be developed collaboratively with children/youth, their caregivers and others working with the children/youth. After all, if children/youth are not committed to the plan, the plan will not work. The plan needs to be realistic, positive, and based on a child’s/youth’s strengths which will increase the chances of success. While circumstances change, the plan should be reviewed regularly to determine if it remains applicable to current circumstances.

Helpful Websites for Serving the At-Risk Youth Population

  1. Family and Youth Service Bureau (FYSB) for Runaway or Homeless Youth (RHY) Program www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth displays a map of the United States and Territories allowing the user to select a state to view a list of all the FYSB funded RHY programs in the state or territory.[2]

  2. Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) www.rhyttac.net. RHYTTAC serves as a centralized national resource for FYSB-funded Runaway and Homeless Youth grantees. Training and technical assistance services are directed at assisting RHY grantees to engage in continuous quality improvement of their services and to build their capacity to effectively serve runaway and homeless youth.

  3. National Runaway Switchboard www.1800runaway.org or 1-800-Runaway (1-800-786-2929). This resource has a 24-hour crisis line and an experienced front-line team that can provide assistance.

  4. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (1-703-274-3900), Hotline: 1-800-843-5678, www.missingkids.org

  5. Amber Alert, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 404-244-2600

Forms and Tools

Human Trafficking Case Management Statewide Protocol
NCEMC Report a Child Missing From Care
Runaway Prevention Plan

1. See the Human Trafficking Case Management Statewide Protocol for additional requirements for the handling of such cases.
2. Adapted from Finding Services for Runaway and Homeless Victims of Human Trafficking Webinar Presentation, developed by the Missing and Exploited Children’s Program