Facebook to Issue Missing Children Alerts in US

As a parent of a child who's at risk of going "missing", I am so excited to see this collaboration happen. I had the pleasure of producing a PSA for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to increase awareness of Autism related wandering and I can't say enough great things about this organization. They lead and they get things done. Support them! Spread the word...and watch the video http://autismdaybyday.blogspot.com/2014/09/help-get-word-out-share-this-psa.html.  Like they say "Bring a child home safe today!" 

Facebook to issue missing children alerts in U.S.

CREDIT: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC

 (Reuters) - Social networking website Facebook (FB.O) plans to use its estimated 140 million daily U.S. users to help track missing children through emergency alerts, the company said on Tuesday.

Facebook partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to immediately begin sending AMBER Alerts, including photographs and other details, to the news feeds of users in targeted search areas.

"The chances of finding a missing child increase when more people are on the lookout," Emily Vacher, trust and safety manager at Facebook, said in a statement. "Our goal is to help get these alerts out quickly to the people who are in the best position to help."

AMBER Alert is a voluntary program coordinated by the U.S. Department of Justice in which emergency messages are issued by law enforcement, broadcasters and other agencies in cases of serious child abductions.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday said expanding the alerts to Facebook would raise the chances of saving abducted children, who can be in increasing danger the longer they go missing.

"The more vigilant the citizens we have on the lookout, the better our chances of a quick recovery," Holder said in a video statement.

The AMBER Alert program launched in 1996 after the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas.

Hagerman's family worked with local radio stations to broadcast alerts about kidnapped children following her death.

(Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Bernard Orr)

14 Year Old with Autism Missing for 3 Weeks and We Can Make A Difference

Avonte Oquendo 14 Missing

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” 
― Edward Everett Hale

Last Thursday, Ray Kelly New York’s City Police Commissioner told local news “Unfortunately, we are not hopeful that we’re going to find this young man alive, but we are continuing our search.”   Friday marked three weeks since Avonte Oquendo from Queens, N.Y., went missing. Avonte is nonverbal and was last seen on video surveillance footage running out the door of his school in Long Island City.

As a parent, of a child who is prone to wandering, and has to be watched 24/7 I know wandering by children with autism is common, dangerous and puts tremendous stress on families. I look at this boy and I see my son. I see all of our boys who are vulnerable. I don’t think there’s a parent on this planet who has not been frightened by a suddenly missing child, even if the child was just hiding in a clothing rack or sitting where we just didn't see them. In the second we don’t know where they are, we panic and in this moment we are all connected.  Thank God most of the time our children are okay. This is a families worst nightmare and by the grace of God few actually have to experience, still we all can relate. 

If you're like me your first question is how can I help?  I can pray and I can take action.  We can each take what ever action moves us. For me, looking at Avonte made me realize that the Nick of today, looks nothing like the Nicky of a few years ago. He's grown so much if something were to happen most of my neighbors wouldn't even recognize him!. The best way I can think of to support Avonte right now, right where I am, is to make sure I'm doing all I can to keep my son safe, and in doing so maybe others. The problem lies in the community and so does the solution. So I have committed to do the rounds in my community to re-introduce my son to my neighbors, local merchants and first responders.   I believe the world is full of more caring people, than dangerous ones. I'm certain the more of the caring ones I can reach, the more who know Nick on site the better chance I have at building a safety net in my community for Nick.
Please join me!

P.S.: It’s a big problem with no simple solution. I did find an extensive collection of wandering resources on the Autism Speaks. Just know that there is a lot to sift through. I hope you find something that fits your family. http://www.autismspeaks.org/wandering-resources#caregivers