Oglala Lakota College Head Start/Early Head Start Program

POLICY AND PROCEDURES

TITLE: Missing Child

PURPOSE

To locate a missing child quickly and ensure the safety of the other children.

POLICY

The OLCHS/EHS Program Center staff will provide continuous supervision of children in our care and, if a child should turn up missing, the staff will take whatever steps are necessary to locate the child.

PROCEDURE

If a child is missing from the Center:

(1)Staff will immediately notify the Teacher of the missing child.

(2)The Teacher will confirm from the Parent/Visitor Sign-In Sheetthat the child was at the Center that day and has not been picked up.

(3)The Teacher will initiate a search within the Center.

(4)The Bus Driver and Cook will initiate a search of the grounds outside the Center and the bus.

(5)If the child is not located inside the Center or on the immediate grounds, the Teacher will notify the child’s parent/guardian that the child is missing and will call the local law enforcement to report a missing child.

(6) The Teacher/Teacher Aide will ensure that all of the other children are kept in one location or area. Also, call the local Law Enforcement to report a missing child and request an Amber Alert.

If a child is missing during an outing away from the Center:

(1)The Teacher or otherstaff will immediately notify their appropriate supervisor (CollegeCenter or HS/EHS Director).

(2)The Teacher will confirm from the Parent/Visitor Sign-In Sheet that the child was on the outing.

(3)The IT Teacher/Teacher Aide will ensure that all of the other children are kept in one location or area.

(4)If in a building, the Teacher will immediately notify the building manager that a child is missing and request immediate assistance to locate the child.

(5)The Teacher and the Bus Driver will initiate a search of the building, bus(es) and the immediate grounds to locate the child.

(6)If the child is not located inside the building, buses or on the immediate grounds of the building, the Teacher will notify the child’s parent/guardian that the child is missing and will call the local law enforcement at 867-5111 (Pine Ridge)/ 455-2311 (Kyle)/ 462-6493 (Wanblee)/ 867-5729 (Manderson)/ 867-5757 (Oglala)/ 867-5927 (Porcupine)/ 455-2485 (Allen)/ 685- 4498 (Shannon County Sheriff)/ 685-6515 (Bennett County Sheriff), to report a missing child and request an Amber Alert.

DOCUMENTATION

Parent/Visitor Sign-in Sheet

Incident Referral Report

Family Contact Form

REGULATORY REFERENCE(S):

Head Start Performance Standards 1304.52(g)(5)

Environmental Health Standards 3-104.6

Revised: 09/14/06

PC Approval: 10/23/06

BOT Approval: 1/25/07