WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Spanish translation of When Your Child is Missing: A Family Survival Guide, which was written by parents who have experienced the trauma of a missing child, is now available from the Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Guide provides critical information for families to use in working with law enforcement, media and volunteers to find a missing child. Since the English version of the Guide was originally published in May 1998, OJJDP has provided copies to every U.S. law enforcement agency, every public library, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), each state's missing children's clearinghouse and other nonprofit organizations. To date, OJJDP has distributed over 50,000 copies. "The guide has already helped so many parents of missing children by providing the insights and wisdom of other parents who face the same fear, confusion and pain," said OJJDP Acting Administrator John J. Wilson. "Now Spanish-speaking people who are not comfortable with English will have quick access to this information without having to depend on someone to translate for them." The Guide was developed by Heather Cox and Marion Boburka, Florida; Colleen Nick, Arkansas; Claudine and Donald Ryce, Florida; Patrick Sessions, Florida; and Patty Wetterling, Minnesota, and other parents of missing children. The first part of the Guide instructs parents on what to do immediately after they discover their child is missing. Other sections include guidance on disseminating information and photographs of the child, the use of rewards and donations, and personal and family considerations. The Guide details how parents can build positive relationships with law enforcement, the media, volunteers and others who might be able to help find the missing child. It also offers suggestions on coping with the trauma. The Guide also provides critical contact information, including a list of state missing children's clearinghouses. OJJDP will distribute approximately 4,200 copies of the Spanish translation (Cuando su Ni?o Desaparece: Una Gu?a Para la Supervivencia de la Familia) targeting law enforcement agencies and libraries in predominantly Spanish-speaking areas. National Hispanic organizations will also receive copies. Both the original When Your Child is Missing: A Family Survival Guide and the Spanish translation, as well as information about other OJJDP publications, programs and conferences, is available through the OJJDP Website at ojjdp.ncjrs.org and from OJJDP's Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse, Box 6000, Rockville, Maryland 20857. The toll-free number is 1-800/638-8736. Information about other Office of Justice Programs (OJP) bureaus and program offices is available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov. Media should contact OJP's Office of Congressional and Public Affairs at 202/307-0703.
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