Release #151-00

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton (212) 788-2958
Ann Ormsby (United Way) (212) 251-2470

"Keeping children safe is a huge responsibility," Mayor Giuliani said. "The Administration for Children's Services works hard every day to protect the children of New York City. And we're very grateful to the United Way for their help in this vital effort. The Kinderprint Child Identification Kit helps parents to protect their children in the case of an emergency. And it helps the police reunite missing children with relieved and joyous parents."

The 5,000 kits donated by the United Way will be distributed to the parents of children attending ACS day care centers, Head Start, and 11 United Way-funded centers throughout the City. The packets contain a fingerprinting kit, a space for a recent photo and all pertinent information-such as name, address, sex, height, weight-that would help the police identify a lost child.

Ralph Dickerson, Jr., President of the United Way of New York City, said: "The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that over 800,000 children are lost, abducted, abandoned or run away in the United States each year. These kits can provide vital pieces of identifying information in the search for these children."

ACS Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said: "The United Way has always been a valuable partner in serving the children of New York City. We are proud to be a part of the KinderPrint fingerprinting effort. ACS's day care and Head Start children throughout the City will benefit from this project, and we are happy to help the United Way get these safety kits to the families who will use them."

The kit also contains "Child Safety Tips" such as:

• Teach children how to use the telephone, and how to dial the operator and ask for the police.
• Teach children early their full name, address and phone number with area code. Be sure they know which state they live in.
• Teach children never to take a ride from strangers or get close to an unfamiliar car.