UAW, Coaches Association Partner with Tennessee Police Chiefs on Child Safety

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The UAW and the American Football Coaches (AFCA) are partnering with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) to distribute 60,000 child ID kits as part of the National Child Identification Program to assist law enforcement in locating missing children.

The ID kits contain fingerprinting materials, DNA collection swabs and other resources. Parents can use the kits to record their child's fingerprint and DNA, then store the information at home for safekeeping in the event of a child abduction or if a child goes missing. Launched by the AFCA in 1997, the National Child Identification Program is the largest child identification effort ever conducted. The UAW is sponsoring the latest push in Tennessee as part of its national commitment to child safety.

The organizations made the announcement at a morning news conference with former University of Tennessee head football coach Phil Fulmer and Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher.

"We're proud to partner with law enforcement and America's coaches to provide tools and resources to help parents collect vital information about their kids," said Ray Curry, director of UAW Region 8 representing the South. "The National Child Identification Program is a worthwhile initiative to promote child safety in Tennessee and across the country."

Coach Fulmer, who served as UT's head football coach from 1992 to 2008, said the National Child Identification Program is a top priority for the AFCA across the country. "Protecting our kids is a team effort that requires community-wide vigilance and commitment," Fulmer said. "The American Football Coaches Association is pleased to join the UAW and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police in this important effort."

Chief Fletcher, who took the helm of the Chattanooga Police Department in June, agreed that child safety is a community responsibility, "Law enforcement appreciates Coach Fulmer's leadership and the UAW's support to promote child-ID initiatives," Fletcher said. "The Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police will use its networks and community partnerships to make sure these 60,000 kits reach families who want them."

The National Child Identification Program reports that, each year in America, an estimated 450,000 children run away, 300,000 children are abducted by family members, and 58,000 children are abducted by strangers or other individuals. Since its inception 17 years ago, the National Child Identification Program has distributed more than 36 million ID kits across the U.S.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Joan Silvi, [email protected] (313) 926-5291 or (248) 721-1162, or find the National Child Identification Program on the Web: www.childidprogram.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uaw-coaches-association-partner-with-tennessee-police-chiefs-on-child-safety-927327296.html

SOURCE United Auto Workers (UAW)

Related Links

http://www.childidprogram.com/