Dover, DE and Detroit, MI – Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long announces that UAW will provide 360,000 identification kits in partnership with the National Child Identification Program, to protect Delaware’s children.

Delaware families will receive an inkless, at-home child ID kit in the spring. The child identification kit allows parents to store the necessary information law enforcement needs to find a missing child. All kits are stored at home by the parent or guardian and do not enter a database. Each kit includes an inkless fingerprint identification card, inkless fingerprint activation solution, DNA storage of a child’s saliva, place for a recent photo, location of medical/dental records, and a physical description section to note any distinguishing features.

This kit is intended to ensure parents have over 90% of the information authorities need should a child ever go missing.  Across America, 1,000 children go missing on average every day. In 2021, 53 children were reported missing in Delaware, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

85,000 kits will be distributed through Delaware school districts starting in May and will be provided to students in grades K-12. Parents will be notified about the distribution of the kits. Lt. Governor Hall-Long will be working with other states in the region and suppling them with the remaining kits to help protect their children.

“Our union has a long-standing commitment to workplace safety and security,” adds UAW President Ray Curry. “These Child ID kits are a simple way to extend peace of mind to our communities, and we are proud to make this donation.”  UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith also notes: “We have a deep connection with Delaware and many of our active and retired members still live in the state. This is another example of our union’s commitment to community service.”

“UAW is a dedicated supporter of the National Child Identification Program. I am thrilled to work with UAW and the great leadership of Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long to be able to provide this great gift of safety to the families of Delaware,” said National Child ID Program Executive Director Kenny Hansmire.

“I am thrilled to work with the UAW and the National Child ID Program to provide this gift of safety to Delaware families. This free, easy, and effective tool will allow Delaware families to prepare for the unimaginable. When a child goes missing, every minute matters,” said Delaware Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long. “These simple, inkless, at-home identification kits are a small action parents can take to protect against their children. The kits are stored at home by parents and do not enter a database. Thank you to UAW President Ray Curry for facilitating this large donation.”