From the moment the report of a missing child comes in, to the resolution of the case, every action taken has the potential to make the difference between a successful recovery or a tragic outcome.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) developed the Missing Kids Readiness Program to promote best practices for responding to calls of missing, abducted, and sexually exploited children. 911 call centers and law enforcement agencies are recognized for meeting essential training and policy elements demonstrating preparedness for responding to a missing child incident.
To meet the requirements of the Program, the Habersham County Central Communication worked with NCMEC on their missing child policy to ensure it met the critical elements of NCMEC’s model policy for call center agencies. In addition, Melanie Bellinger, Assistant Director, completed her required training, and she ensured all Executives, Communications Supervisors, Communications Senior Comms and Communications Officers completed the online training required for their membership. By demonstrating remarkable leadership, and making this commitment of training and preparedness, the Habersham County Central Communications is communicating to its citizens and families, protecting the lives and safety of their children is a top priority!
Armed with the information, knowledge and operational resources gained through meeting the program criteria, the Habersham County Central Communications continues to be positioned to respond more quickly, comprehensively, and effectively when a child’s life may be at stake.
Hopefully, other agencies in Georgia will recognize the achievement of the Habersham County Central Communication and will want to follow suit.
We at the National Center would like to express our sincere gratitude and
congratulations
to the Habersham County Central Communications for their diligence and commitment to children.